In the nearly three years that I’ve been running this blog, I’m pretty sure the most requested service change from readers has been for more late night rail service, particularly on the weekends.
Metro CEO Art Leahy has decided to do just that. The specifics:
•All Metro Rail lines will run until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. That includes the Red/Purple Line subway, the Blue Line, Expo Line, Green Line and Gold Line.
•Trains will run every 20 minutes between midnight and 2 a.m.
•The Orange Line will run until 2:40 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights in order to meet the last trains at the North Hollywood Red Line station. The Orange Line will also run every 20 minutes between midnight and 2:40 a.m.
•The plan at this moment is to begin late-night service on the weekend of July 27-28 but Metro is also working to determine if late night service is needed on the Silver Line, as well as working with Metrolink on the possibility of extending their service to connect with Metro’s.
Metro will provide more details on scheduling later in the month and there will be a considerable p.r. push to let everyone know about the new service. Suffice it to say, this is good news for workers and those going out on weekend nights, whether it’s to restaurants, bars or the many events in the region.
Here’s a statement on the new service from Los Angeles Councilman and Metro Board Member Jose Huizar:
“I’m very pleased that Metro is extending late-night, weekend train service hours to 2 a.m.
In 2008, my office launched a similar, public/private partnership extending Red Line service hours during the winter holidays. Following the popularity of that program, I’ve heard from many people for the need to permanently extend Metro train service hours. In Downtown Los Angeles, Metro’s extended Friday, Saturday evening hours will allow more customers to enjoy the many exciting late-night venues we offer, as well encourage more people to use public transportation.”
As a person who has spent hundreds of dollars in taxicab fare in order to get from Union Station to Pasadena after the last 11:53pm Gold Line train has left, this is a huge advancement. Now I won’t have to leave the West Side at 10pm in order to get home in a timely manner.
Huzzah!
This is amazing news!
This is awesome news. Seriously, made my Friday.
My prayers have been answered! Thumbs up to you Metro!
This lets me stay out in WeHo until (probably around) 1am and be able to catch the last Gold Line train to Pasadena.
Will there be any increase in Gold Line service? The Red/Purple/Blue every-ten-minutes-til-midnight was supposed to be a test run with possibly increased service on Gold coming later.
This late night service til 2 am is awesome, just wondering if there will be an increase on Gold Line up til midnight to match the other lines.
What about the Silver Line? Isn’t it “Just like rail”?
A HUGE THUMBS UP! I missed a gold line train at Union and had to wait an hour to get picked up. I’d like to take the train to LA and do things in LA, but sometimes it’s not convenient to have to leave early because you won’t get a ride back. This is great news!
Hi Steve;
I don’t know yet if Gold Line is increasing frequency to match subway/Blue. More details later in the month.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
Hi Erik;
Metro staff is looking at Silver Line to determine if should run late night as well.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
It’s a very good start. Most bars & clubs close at 1:45 AM, so running the lines until 3 AM would have been better.