Metro’s February bus and rail ridership combined was at 80.8% of its February 2019 pre-pandemic level. Average weekend ridership in February was 97.2% of pre-pandemic (February 2019) levels and average February weekday ridership was 73.8% of its February 2019 pre-pandemic level.
Ridership continues to grow after the 2023 launch of Metro’s human-centric, multilayered approach to safety, improved cleanliness, improved reliability and frequency of service as well as fully restored bus service.
February 2024 marked the 15th consecutive month of year-over-year ridership growth.
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Metro’s Ongoing Success
In February 2024, Metro had 23,031,303 boardings on its bus and rail services. An average of 872,167 rides were taken each weekday with Saturday boardings averaging 662,561 and Sunday boardings averaging 516,388.
Metro’s February bus and rail ridership combined was at 80.8% of its February 2019 pre-pandemic level. Average weekend ridership in February was 97.2% of pre-pandemic (February 2019) levels and average February weekday ridership was 73.8% of its February 2019 pre-pandemic level.
Ridership continues to grow after the 2023 launch of Metro’s human-centric, multilayered approach to safety, improved cleanliness, improved reliability, and frequency of service, as well as fully restored bus service.
A Closer Look at LA Metro’s Ridership
Bus Ridership: Metro bus ridership saw a 10.6% year-over-year increase over February 2023. More than 18 million (18,073,168) rides were taken on Metro buses, with total bus ridership in February 2024 at 86.5% of its pre-pandemic (February 2019) level. Metro recorded an average of 688,956 bus boardings on weekdays in February, an average of 514,337 boardings on Saturdays and an average of 386,936 boardings on Sundays.
Rail Ridership: February 2024 marked the ninth month of operation for the newly reconfigured A and E Lines. The A Line, which serves customers from Azusa to Long Beach, saw 1,642,226 boardings. The E Line welcomed 1,057,112 users travelling on the line that services East L.A. to Santa Monica. The B/D subway lines saw the largest number of rail boardings during the month with 1,727,895 trips taken. Ridership on the A/E Lines combined was 2,699,338 during the month signaling riders are benefiting from the new Regional Connector A/E Line stations for more convenient one seat rides to and from downtown LA.
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Leisure Travelers: Weekends continue to show the greatest ridership recovery as leisure travelers are increasingly turning to Metro. Average boardings on Saturdays reached 98.4% of February 2019 levels and on Sundays during the month average boardings reached 95.5% of February 2019 levels.
During February, weekend activities such as the Skyline LA music and art festival at Grand Park, the Firecracker Run and Festival in Chinatown, CicLAvia Melrose, and sporting events such as Los Angeles Football Club versus the Seattle Sounders at Exposition Park all welcomed riders to the system, boosting weekend ridership recovery.
In February 2024, Metro had 23,031,303 boardings on its bus and rail services. An average of 872,167 rides were taken each weekday with Saturday boardings averaging 662,561 and Sunday boardings averaging 516,388.
Photo: LA Metro
Fare Programs
Metro continues to provide programs that make riding more affordable for everyone.
The agency’s reduced-price transit pass programs, such as the student GoPass pilot program, which offers free transit passes to K-12 and community college students, and its Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) program, which provides free rides and reduced fares to low-income customers, are helping those who need it most.
In February, the GoPass Pilot Program saw 1,708,763 total boardings versus 1,459,167 in February 2023, a 17% increase. The LIFE Program observed a 20% increase in February ridership with 1,337,033 boardings compared to 1,075,678 in February 2023.
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Metro’s fare capping policy provides riders who pay with a TAP card a set fare of no more $5 a day or $18 over seven days. Once they’ve reached those limits, they ride free for the remainder of the day or seven-day period.
And, Metro’s Mobility Wallet Pilot Program gives in-need Angelenos the freedom to choose the mode that best suits their travel requirements by providing a debit card with $150 per month to spend on transportation. The card can be used to take the bus, ride the train, use bike share, take Metro-Micro, and much more.
Once viewed primarily as transit operators, agencies are now leveraging land, partnerships, and long-term planning to boost ridership, expand housing, and strengthen communities.
New federal transit funding will support safety, accessibility, and technology projects as updated rail regulations establish new noise standards for high-speed trains.
The coalition noted the next surface transportation bill should provide sustained investment in highways and public transit to strengthen freight movement, improve safety, and support economic growth.
METRO’s People Movement highlights the latest leadership changes, promotions, and personnel news across the public transit, motorcoach, and people mobility sectors.
Three new fare pilots — including unlimited two-hour transfers, reduced express bus fares, and free transit for eligible seniors — will launch this fall as Massachusetts extends popular commuter rail discounts through November.
The latest Notice of Funding Opportunity provides transit agencies with funding for bus facilities, fleet modernization, and low- and no-emission vehicles, with applications due September 21.
From manufacturers and suppliers to transit agencies and motorcoach operators, these updates offer a snapshot of the projects, partnerships and business moves driving the industry forward.
The funding package targets operating stability, capital improvements, and fare affordability, offering a model for agencies navigating long-term funding challenges.
Incoming LA Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined outgoing Board Chair Fernando Dutra and LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins to review accomplishments from fiscal year 2026, which included the opening of new rail extensions, advancement of major transit projects, expanded safety programs, and new rider amenities.
