METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

L.A. Metro Ridership Continues Positive Trend

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.

August 23, 2024
L.A. Metro Ridership Continues Positive Trend

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.

Photo: LA Metro

3 min to read


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.

Ad Loading...

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.

Ad Loading...

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.

Ad Loading...

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.

Ad Loading...

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.   

More Management

A subway train stopped at the 48th Street platform in Manhattan.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsApril 1, 2026

Manhattan’s Central Business District Travel Climbs to 6.3 Million Daily Trips as Transit Leads Growth

Although volumes remain below pre-pandemic levels, NYMTC’s latest Hub Bound report shows rising transit use, shifting commute patterns, and continued recovery.

Read More →
frontrunner bus
SponsoredApril 1, 2026

Breaking Accessibility Barriers with the Low Floor Frontrunner Minibus

Accessible transit isn’t a feature—it’s a responsibility. This whitepaper explores how the Low-Floor Frontrunner is redefining mobility with a breakthrough design that removes barriers, empowers riders, and delivers measurable operational advantages for agencies. Discover why this next generation minibus is setting a new standard for inclusive transportation.

Read More →
An MBTA commuter rail at a station.
Railby StaffMarch 31, 2026

Massachusetts Announces Summer Savings for Commuter Rail Riders

With major events and increased travel expected across the state this summer, the Administration is focused on making sure people have a reliable, affordable alternative to driving so we can reduce congestion, support daily commuters, and keep Massachusetts moving.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A MARTA employee using the new Better Breeze fare ticket machines.
Managementby StaffMarch 30, 2026

Updated: MARTA’s New 'Better Breeze' Fare System Goes Live

The new system introduces tap-to-pay, touchscreen kiosks, and updated Breeze cards, with both old and new systems running through May.

Read More →
ABA Marketplace Report
Motorcoachby StaffMarch 30, 2026

ABA Marketplace Drives $124.9M in Business, New Report Finds

As the American Bus Association marks its 100th year, a new ABA Foundation report highlights the Marketplace’s role as a key revenue engine for the bus and group travel industry.

Read More →
Coach USA, Samsara cover shot
Technologyby Alex RomanMarch 30, 2026

How Coach USA Is Using AI to Prevent Bus Accidents

As motorcoaches navigate increasingly congested urban corridors filled with pedestrians, cyclists, scooters, and distracted drivers, safety leaders across the industry are confronting a growing challenge: visibility.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Five different gold commemorative Smart Trip card designs.
Managementby StaffMarch 27, 2026

WMATA Proposes Revised FY2027 Budget as System Marks 50 Years of Service

Updated financial plan reflects ridership growth and cost controls as the Washington region’s transit system celebrates five decades of operations.

Read More →
Cover photo for Bus Tech Talk with Cecil Blandon
Managementby Alex RomanMarch 27, 2026

AC Transit’s Cecil Blandon on Leadership, Mentorship, and a Career in Transit

In part 1 of a two-part conversation, AC Transit’s director of maintenance joins co-hosts Alex Roman and Mark Hollenbeck to discuss his journey from the U.S. Marines to public transit and the role mentorship plays in developing the next generation of industry leaders.

Read More →
An AC Transit Tempo bus
Managementby StaffMarch 27, 2026

California's AC Transit Greenlights Development of Service Contingency Plan

In reaching its decision, the board considered the District’s mounting long-term structural deficits, with current projections forecasting annual operating deficits of about $50 million beginning in FY 2027-28 and continuing in the years ahead.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A CDTA bus
Managementby StaffMarch 27, 2026

New York's CDTA Approves 2027 Operating, Capital Plan

The $143 million spending plan represents a 2.4% reduction from last year’s budget. Increasing expenses, along with depleted federal COVID-19 funds, continue to impact the overall budget, CDTA officials said.

Read More →