LA Metro Rail Subway Trains: What You Should Know

Is Los Angeles Metro Rail safe. Does LA Metro Rail have an app. Is LA Metro a better option than a car with its many trains and buses crisscrossing LA County and beyond. Everywhere from Downtown LA and Hollywood to Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley. These are questions many people are asking. Metro has ambitious goals to get millions of motorists out of their cars and make LA transportation the best in the world. A goal not without its challenges. This is PBS reporter David Nazar. Join me as I travel throughout Los Angeles County on the LA Metro trains to find out about the safety and security issues as well as all the progress Metro has made this past decade.

[@ricardogarcia3820]

I truly agree it's a good system to avoid traffic but NOT enough security!!

[@mrxman581]

There is noticeably more security today compared to 6 months ago.

[@callen8908]

Have a car. Still take the metro

[@xuimod]

No you don't.

[@mrxman581]

I do too to certain areas. I no longer drive to DTLA, Exposition Park, Hollywood Bowl, Bunker Hill, Convention Center, Culver City, Long Beach, Pasadena, South Pasadena, and Santa Monica. I live in East LA near the E line Atlantic Station. The opening of the Regional Connector was a huge game changer for me.

[@conorgilles81]

I visited LA recently for about a day and I utilized the transit system for my travel exclusively. I agree with Ms. Wiggins that a rail link to the airport is crucial. I chose to fly out of Burbank vs LAX specifically because I could ride a train to the airport. I did not find the subway to be especially unsafe, at least compared to Portland (maybe that's not saying much), where I am from. There were a lot of security or other Metro personnel at the stations. The couple times I did find myself in a less-safe situation was while I was on the train themselves, and that's where I think authorities might be better utilized. I also rode several buses, which I found to be quite convenient. Overall, from my experience during my short and limited visit, I think the transit system in LA is great, for the area it covers. The challenge comes with the sprawl of the area and the many destinations people might want to visit, and trying to cover all those areas with transit links. If the city and its citizens are willing to invest a lot of money and patience, LA is on track to have an unstoppable transit system.

[@chrisdobrowolski2783]

By the way BART goes to LA airport you take it to parking structure G abd then take free monorail to the airport terminals

[@animikean]

@@chrisdobrowolski2783Bay Area Rapid Transit system?

[@j12torts]

The problem isnt that theres not enough public transport, there is but most people dont know about it. Metrolink and metro should collaborate together and share the train tracks together. I didnt even know that there was a glendale and burbank train station but its owned by metrolink. They have to connect it together.

[@xuimod]

In the internet age where everyone has a smartphone that's a pathetic excuse.

[@mrxman581]

I'm not sure what you're referring to but they do share the track usage at Union Station. Metrolink has tracks there as well as LA Metro. BTW, LA Metro helps fund Metrolink. Metrolink is funded by each of the transit agencies from the 5 counties it serves. So there is good communication between the two.

[@brianholmes1812]

I Agree. I think LA should look at what chicago is doing. They're merging the CTA (who operate the busses and the L train) and Metra (the long distance trains). I think merging metro and metrolink into the same entity could do wonders for improving LA's transit

[@mrxman581]

​@@brianholmes1812Not likely. See my reply above.

[@animikean]

I look forward to that being true, transit (when it’s available) would be a 3x longer trip to work than car. If that time was only twice as long, and they didn’t end service before I go home I’d use the bus.

[@JessieRubio-p3u]

What I notice about the Metro buses I don't see that many Metro rapids anymore now I wonder why they run every 45 minutes to an hour!🙎🤦 More bus shortage prices continue spiking up now I wonder why!🙎🤦

[@LS-jv4uh]

Many systems in the world accept credit card tap to pay. I don’t understand why LA Metro requires a special “Tap” card.

[@mrxman581]

You can put an electronic version of the TAP card on your phone, and use your phone to TAP. Many riders do it.

[@LS-jv4uh]

@@mrxman581 Got it. The point tho is that requires an out of town visitor to figure that out and set it up. When I visit London, I just tap my credit card (or card on my phone) that I already have. What limitation does LA metro have that the London Underground doesn’t?

[@mrxman581]

​@LS-jv4uh It might have to do with the CAP fare system where you don't pay more than $5 a day or $18 a week no matter how many rides you take including buses. They keep track of how much you've spent via your TAP card number. If you did it via credit card, that would be much more difficult, especially if you use more than one card. If they did ever accept credit cards, I would think you would have to add the number to a TAP account so it can keep track of how much you've spent in real time. The CAP fare system is a great deal for tourists. However, many tourists also like to keep the TAP card as a souvenir. They also don't expire.

[@jamesarias4451]

L.A. metro has to many loiters on trains and buses.

[@TheMetropolitanNetwork]

Metro rail is fine and dandy but the problem is the Nextgen Bus plan was the problem by cutting one seat rides across the county and eliminating Metro Rapid Bus Routes. Stop building rail and fix the bus network.

[@justpaintoncanvas3408]

Me: will I get stabbed Metro: yes!

[@Wileyg4lify]

Is the metro cashless or they still accept cash

[@jamesarias4451]

make it easier to pay.

[@Mike_Davidson]

Need more ambassadors and diplomats. 😂😂😂🤦🏻‍♂️

[@visionary_access]

I just finished watching your show on KLCS regarding the LA Metro (I believe originally aired in January 2024). While it was interesting, there are some points of clarification. Not only was L.A. designed around mass transit, it's design was influenced more than most major U.S. cities. Most people don't remember the Pacific Electric/Red Car. This was literally the blue print that made the city what it is. Why more people don't ride the trains? Yes, safety is a big factor - but a larger factor is they don't go anywhere of importance. When the green line was originally designed, it was supposed to go to the airport. However, the airport didn't want to lose the parking revenue and fought it, so it veers at the end. When building the red line that goes through Hollywood to Universal, did they put a stop at the Hollywood Bowl to make it easy and affordable for people to go there? Of course not, it goes right underneath and bypasses it. When they built the line to Inglewood, did they put a stop at the corner where the Forum and So-Fi Stadium come together? Of course not. When they extended the gold line into the San Gabriel Valley, did they make a stop at the L.A. Fairgrounds? Of course not. Is there a line that connects the valley to Pasadena, serving the Burbank airport and Glendale (two cities that contribute a considerable amount to Metro's fund)? Of course not. Are there park and ride lots conveniently located along the different lines, so commuters can drive to their nearest station then take the train network? Of course not. I could go on and on. The system is poorly laid out, influenced by greed and personal interests - and not the need of the public.

[@DavidNazarNews]

Thank you so much for your comments. Really great info and sounds like you know a lot about the LA transportation system. Send me any other info so I can advance this story.

[@mrxman581]

You're actually wrong and not up to date on most of the issues you're talking about. Most, if not all, of these issues are or have been addressed. Many have been planned for a while, but due to the funding schemes, they have to wait in line for the funding. LA Metro goes to many important places today and even more so in the future. You obviously don't know that because you don't use it. Try it sometime to go to the Santa Monica pier, the Broad, Music Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the various museums and sporting venues in Exposition Park, USC, Hollywood Blvd, Little Tokyo, Arts District, Historic Broadway, etc, etc. The A line is being extended to Pomona, and Metrolink offers a train service from Union Station to the fairgrounds. There is a proposed BRT that will go from the SFV to Pasadena. Both the C and K lines will connect to LAX via the APM by 2025 or earlier. The Hollywood and Highland station is within walking distance of the Bowl, but there is also a complimentary shuttle from the station up the hill to the Bowl. I've taken it several times when I don't feel like walking. The topology of the Hollywood Bowl is more complex and there wasn't enough funding. However, they are proposing a station there as part of the K Line extension North. The K Line route was approved before the Sofi stadium was even a thing. However, with Sofi, the Forum, and the upcoming Intuit Dome, Inglewood has decided to build a people mover to serve those venues and it's residents. And, many stations have park and ride lots right next to the stations including on the newest extension of the A line to Pomona. There is also parking for the E line Atlantic Station, Indiana Station, Culver City Station to name a few. Again, ride LA Metro so you have a much better idea of what it actually serves vs your idea of what you think it serves. BTW, many routes use old ROWs that LA Metro already owns. Several were old Red Car ROWs. It's not due to your conspiracy theories. That's true for your theory about why the Green line stopped short of LAX. The real reason was mostly due to federal regulations.

[@mrxman581]

​@@DavidNazarNewsHe really doesn't know as much as he thinks he does.

[@visionary_access]

@@mrxman581 Thank you for supporting my statement, even though that wasn't your intention. Does the rail system service places such as the Broad (servicing dozens of people daily)? Absolutely. Does it however service the places I listed (servicing 10's of thousands)? Nope. Does it go to any of the high traffic places I listed? Nope. Were these locations originally discussed when designing the system? Yes, however outside influences shaped the system into what it is today. Yes, you can take shuttles, commuters, buses to these places - but that defeats the purpose. If you go to places such as New York or Paris, the rail goes to the areas in question - there are no shuttles. As for options like Metrolink, the schedule does not allow use as public transit. Metrolink is designed to arrive in the morning and leave in the evening (e.g. work commuters). As for the Hollywood Bowl, the average person is not going to walk 1 mile straight up hill before a concert from Hollywood & Highland. If you are going to take a shuttle, then you might as well take a park and ride shuttle and forget the rail all together. Finally, you talk about how most of these issues have been addressed but due to lack of funding they can't be implemented. Well, if the system hadn't been laid out incorrectly in the first place, you wouldn't need to fix it and waste countless millions of dollars further. These places didn't just pop up - they were there long before the rail. You list several theories, but what I stated were simple facts. No conspiracies involved.

[@mrxman581]

​​​​@@visionary_accessYou obviously have no idea what you're talking because you don't use Metro. I do, and have used it to all the places I listed which you conveniently ignored because it doesn't fit your ignorant argument. The Regional Connector stations are becoming more popular every day as more people keep on discovering them. The comparisons that you make with Paris, for example, are irrelevant. You're comparing a city that is only aeound 40 square miles to LA which is over 10 TIMES AS LARGE at around 500 square miles. And, Paris started building their Metro over 100 years ago. LA Metro started operations in 1990. Los Angeles has built more public rail transit than any other US city in the last 33 years and will continue to expand for the foreseeable future. Don't comment of stuff you know very little about. Granted, their your opinions just don't forget that they're not actual facts. BTW, Metrolink is also going through a huge transformation including having more frequent service. Oh, and a lot of people arrive at the Hollywood Bowl on the Meteo. Younger patrons walk up, and older people take the shuttle. It's more convenient than driving, paying for parking, and then waiting a very long time to get out of the parking. Besides, the Hollywood Bowl is also changing their parking lots up there. Lastly, again, you have very little knowledge about how and why LA Metro is being built the way it is. They aren't my theories they're facts. You're the one with conspiracies. Re-read your comment.

[@jonathanj8613]

😣 "promo sm"

[@albertcarello619]

The gridlock is 24 hours a day!!!!!!!

[@escovision1986]

Bozo lol

[@bbrebozo6417]

Metrolink ruined Santa Monica.

[@dylanhaworth3685]

Metrolink doesn't go to Santa Monica???

[@chicagocarless]

The assumption by Angelenos that their traffic is somehow magically the worst traffic in the nation is false. I live in Chicago. The first two minutes regarding travel times in traffic are not extraordinary for us. The Dan Ryan Expressway is the most congested roadway in North America (not L.A.'s 405, not Canada's 401.) We regularly experience 90-minute drive times and higher going 25 miles across the region from all cardinal directions. In fact, we sometimes experience that going 10 miles or less down Lake Shore Drive depending on conditions. And our region extends 50 to 75 miles east to west, and well more than 100 miles north to south. A drive from Simi Valley to San Bernardino would easily fit within Chicagoland's north-south sprawl with miles to spare. And that would be unbroken sprawl, 10 million people nonstop, not interrupted by mountains or canyons. And, much like the CTA here, L.A. Metro will never attract people back post-pandemic without seriously dealing with on-system crime and policing and hiring issues first.

[@mrxman581]

Los Angeles County is three times the size of Cook County and has many more freeways. There are more people driving every day than in any other region in the country. So not only our freeways packed, we have more of those packed freeways.

[@chicagocarless]

@@mrxman581 no, it isn’t really. So much of Los Angeles County is desert and the intrusion of mountains and hills. It’s like counting the Inland Empire counties in their entirety when people only live in the western ends of them.

[@JamesSoares-z6z]

@@chicagocarless wrong. sounds like you don't know how it is in california. stop whining.

[@chicagocarless]

@@JamesSoares-z6z Angelenos hate not being special about things, it’s cute ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@Geotpf]

​@@JamesSoares-z6zHe's not wrong. A large portion of Los Angeles County is mountains and deserts, like in the Palmdale/Lancaster area; low population areas.

[@kenfrancisworld8720]

Ride for free. Just jump on the bus or train and ignore the fare. Thousands do it daily. LA Metro doesn't specialize in rapid transit, so travel times along bus and light rail will take just as long. Drug use, active psychosis, theft, urination and violence, I have seen it all (and often).

[@mrxman581]

Not true, and you obviously haven't used it recently.

[@mrxman581]

Not true, and you obviously haven't used it recently.

[@gatblau1]

A law enforcement officer at every station to make sure everyone pays would help with the violence and crime. I think the recent plan that Metro has to hire a dedicated transit police force is a great step in the right direction.

[@carlmack2188]

Wiggins. What a fluff and bs piece this is.

[@carlmack2188]

if Vides actually believes the Ambassadors are any factor of safety she and the Board should be fired. Free money for the Ambassadors, not their fault, not equipped not trained for reality. They play with their phones and smile. This is what our politicians come up with because some liberals cow tow to defund police, don’t trust police, etc. You take a poll of metro commuters 99% will tell you we wish a cop was on every ride. Nothing else discourages bad behavior.

[@mrxman581]

WRONG!!! The transit ambassadors' job is not security. Their job is to assist passengers in navigating the LA Metro and report problems. Security is handled by the security guards and officers. They have increased the number of security guards.

[@fcjose31]

El Problema en EEUU es que no parece estar diseñado para el uso de transporte publico, Europa o España muchas ciudades son históricas, por eso hay calles estrechas, muchas zonas son patrimonio de la humanidad y para conservarlo hay que limitar el trafico de Vehículos, se le trata de quitar espacio al coche para crear parques y zonas de paseo, por eso se facilita un abono transporte que vale para metro, tren y bus y un precio económico, para viajar entre ciudades como España es mucho mas pequeño que EEUU se facilita los trenes de alta velocidad de bajo coste, un viaje Madrid a Barcelona puede valer 7€ o 9€ y se tarda 2,30 horas en recorrer los 630 km de distancia, eso facilita el uso del tren frente al avión. kzbin.info/www/bejne/omOqoaVroK9llZosi=Ws3L1TArELdPG5uv&t=1 Aquí es bueno y económico el transporte publico y es rápido y cómodo y mucha gente usa transporte publico en vez de su vehículo para ir a trabajar.

[@batmb1e]

The premise you start out with is crap...thanks for the partisan spin.

[@TravisBicknel]

Take Los Angeles Metro if you have a death wish.

[@mrxman581]

Driving is statistically more dangerous.

[@carlmack2188]

if Vides actually believes the Ambassadors are any factor of safety she and the Board should be fired. Free money for the Ambassadors, not their fault, not equipped not trained for reality. They play with their phones and smile. This is what our politicians come up with because some liberals cow tow to defund police, don’t trust police, etc. You take a poll of metro commuters 99% will tell you we wish a cop was on every ride. Nothing else discourages bad behavior.