L.A. Metro Ridership Continues Positive Trend

L.A. Metro had 25,466,384 boardings in July on its bus and rail services, reaching 81.84% of its July 2019 pre-COVID ridership level and marking the 20th consecutive month of year-over-year ridership growth.

The agency saw 19,873,436 boardings on weekdays, reaching 78.8% of its pre-pandemic July 2019 level. On weekends in July there were 5,592,948 boardings, reaching 95.3% of pre-pandemic weekend ridership from July 2019.

Bus Ridership

Bus ridership in July saw 19,676,497 rides taken for a 9.84% year-over-year ridership increase compared to July 2023 ridership and reached 82.9% of its July 2019 level.

Metro recorded 15,455,726 bus boardings on weekdays in July. Saturdays saw 2,069,496 boardings and Sundays had 2,151,275 boardings in July. Weekend bus ridership is now at 93.16% of its pre-pandemic level. 

Rail Ridership

In July, rail boardings were 5,789,887, reflecting a gain of 3.23% over July 2023 ridership and a 78.4% recovery of July 2019 rail ridership.

Weekday rail boardings were 4,417,710 trips taken, reflecting 73.4% of weekday rail boardings in July 2019. 

July marks the first full month of year-over-year comparison on the A and E lines, and ridership grew 16.76% over July 2023.

Individually, the A Line grew 19.46% when compared to ridership in July 2023 and the E Line grew 13.17% year-over-year.

The busiest rail line in July was the B Line with 1,898,643 boardings. The A Line saw 1,871,941 trips taken.

Leisure Ridership

Leisure travelers rode Metro to concerts, festivals, and sporting events.

July 2024 had more weekday events, which were a driver of overall ridership growth during the month with weekday bus ridership up 7.37% and weekday rail ridership up 2.62%.

Events at venues with direct Metro rail access such as Expo Park off the E Line, LA Historic State Park off the A Line, and Dodgers Stadium serviced by the Dodger Stadium Express bus from LA Union Station all saw ridership increases.

July events that contributed to ridership increases include the July 4th firework event at Gloria Molina Grand Park and multi-day events Anime Expo, as well as sporting events with the L.A. Sparks, Dodgers, and LAFC and Angel City FC games at crypto.com Arena, Dodger Stadium, and BMO Stadium, respectively.

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 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 July, Metro’s GoPass Program had 479,309 boardings, a 19% year-over-year increase over July 2023, which saw 395,385 boardings.

GoPass also had 21,198 new registrations and renewals combined for a 78% year-over-year increase in July enrollment.

GoPass has now surpassed 40 million student boardings and more than 400,000 registered students using the free fare student GoPass for unlimited travel to school, work, and leisure activities.

LIFE Program enrollment is up 12% year-over-year in July 2024 with 1,729,227 boardings compared to 1,541,755 in July 2023.

During July, the LIFE team held more than 75 in-person enrollment events to sign eligible people up for the reduced fare program. In July, the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), a LIFE partner had 1,289 enrollments into Metro’s LIFE program.