LA businesses raise $54,000 to extend service

A group of small and large Los Angeles area businesses kicked in $54,250 to extend late-night weekend subway service on the Metro Red Line from
North Hollywood to Union Station during the holiday season.

Beginning Nov. 21, and continuing each Friday and Saturday night until Dec. 27, Metro will operate two-car trains with 20-minute service intervals until 3 a.m.

Extending the hours of Red Line Metro service for the holiday pilot project will cost $4,500 a night and is being paid for by private-sector sponsorships made by numerous entertainment venues and businesses. All funds for the six-weekend pilot program were received by Metro by the October 17 deadline set at the Metro Board of Directors meeting in September.

The service enhancement is a pilot project proposed by Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar, Council President Eric Garcetti, and Councilmembers Wendy Greuel and Jan Perry.

Sponsors include Staples Center; LA Live; The Orpheum Theatre; NBC Universal; and the Historic Downtown Business Improvement District.