GO METRO!
Seriously, LA's got a subway. No, for reals! I swear!
It may not go everywhere you wanna go, but the suwbay'll get you places (don't worry, we're workin' on it). The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority—a mouthful, right? That's why we just say "Metro." Anyways, Metro's got tons of bus lines to get you everywhere else.
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| LA's light rail outlook based on the plan of borrowing federal money to complete rail projects in 10 years instead of 30. |
METRO
The easiest way to use Metro, whether you're going by bus or rail, is to use its Trip Planner. Simply input your starting and ending points, date and times. The trip planner will give you multiple route options and times. If your trip requires service from another transit agency or requires rail service, it will give you all the info.Not at your computer? No prob, you can access the Metro site with the new Metro app for iPhone or call 1-800-COMMUTE (266-6883). Metro information may also be obtained by calling 5-1-1 from any phone.
If you prefer to research on your own, look at the System Map [PDF] and then the timetable(s) for your route(s).
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| Metro Rapid bus passing City Hall. |
Metro Fare and TAP card info
Base fare for Local, Limited and Rapid buses, the ORANGE Line and all subway/light rail lines is $1.50 per boarding ($0.35 extra for Metro-to-municipal agency transfer) or $6.00 for a day pass. There are no transfers offered between Metro buses or rail. Express buses and the SILVER Line have higher fares. Weekly and monthly passes are also available. Reduced fare exists for seniors, disabled and those using Medicare. For up to date and full fare information see the Metro site.Transit Access Pass (TAP) cards are credit card sized, re-loadable passes which maybe used on Metro buses and rail and some other municipal transit agencies as well. If you already have a TAP, card you may load it with a day pass at any Metro Rail station or on any Metro bus. TAP cards may be loaded with a weekly or monthly pass at any Metro Rail station, Metro vendor or online. If you do not already have a TAP card you may still purchase a paper day pass at any Metro station, but you may not purchase a day pass on board any bus. TAP cards cost $2. They may be re-loaded as often as needed. TAP cards can be purchased at Union Station, other Metro Customer Centers, (coming soon at select Metro Rail/ORANGE Line stations), a great number of check cashing vendors and select Ralphs supermarkets or online at taptogo.net. To find the place nearest you to purchase a TAP card click here for an interactive map or here for a simple list.
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| LA subway. |
NOTE: TAP cards may be loaded with a day pass beginning at midnight and will remain valid through 3:00AM of the following morning. TAP cards loaded with weekly or monthly passes are based on calendar weeks/months--NOT necessarily 7 or 30 days from purchase (unless you actually purchase it on a Sunday or on the first of the month).
WARNING: Failure to pay the proper fare is violation of Section 640 Penal Code and may result in a fine up to $250 and 48 hours community service. Los Angeles County Sherriff's Department has jurisdiction over Metro vehicles and facilities.
LADOT
In addition to LA County's Metro, the City of Los Angeles' Department of Transportation (LADOT) offers transit services as well. Below are the three most used. For a full list of services, visit the LADOT site.
Commuter Express — Cross-city bus routes that make very few stops. The coaches are clean and comfortable. Lines from Sylmar, Chatsworth, Thousand Oaks, Westwood, Venice, Redondo Beach and Rancho Palos Verdes all have termini in downtown Los Angeles. Other routes service the Harbor area, LAX, Hollywood, South LA, the San Fernando Valley, Thousand Oaks, Pasadena, Burbank and Glendale.
DASH — Neighborhood shuttles that make loops though the community. There are several serving the downtown area which come in handy during lunch breaks from work or jury duty. Most routes operate Monday though Saturday. Fare is only $0.35. 
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| Blue line leaving Pico Station. |
Some other municipal transit agencies in the county:
Antelope Valley Transit AuthorityBeach Cities Transit
Burbank Bus
Culver City Bus
Gardena Municipal Bus Lines
Glendale Beeline
Long Beach Transit
Montebello Bus Lines
Orange County Transportation Authority
Pasadena Area Rapid Transit System
Santa Clarita Transit
Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus Lines
Torrance Transit
West Hollywood City Line
Official Twitter accounts and Metro blog for service and news updates.
@metrolosangeles —system alerts plus Metro news.
@ExpoLine — updates concerning the new EXPO Line from DTLA to Culver City.
@WestsideSubway — updates concerning the extension of the PURPLE Line to Westwood.
@dashdowntown — alerts about Downtown DASH shuttles.
@ladottransit — alerts about all LADOT transit.
The Source — the official blog of LA County Metropolitan Transit Authority.
Metro riders and deriders who blog/tweet:
The Bus Bench — A seriously satirical approach to alt transit, public transport and social ecology in Los Angeles.@thebusbench — Notes from the alternatively mobile in Los Angeles.
LA Streetsblog — Life in post-car Los Angeles.
@lastreetsblog — The Los Angeles vanguard of the Streetsblog publishing empire.
LA Street Car — On track for a transportation revolution in DTLA.
@lastreetcar — Bringing a streetcar to DTLA by 2014!
Go Metro LA — Promoting public transit ridership in the greater Los Angeles area.
@gometrola — Promoting public transit ridership in the greater Los Angeles area.
LA Metro Mole — A critique of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority's management and operations.
– R. Nelson | Updated 00:20 23 May 2011
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