The Labubu fever reaches Metro: Learn how a bus operator mini-me spreads joy in the community

When Metro bus operator Reyna Alfaro opened the small package sent by her sister-in-law, she didn’t expect to find a mischievous-looking creature with pointy teeth and a smirk staring back at her. “It was a Labubu,” Reyna recalls. “I had seen them before and knew people were collecting them, but I didn’t really understand the craze.”

Her sister-in-law had been trying for weeks to snag one of these 3-inch vinyl plushies – which sell out in seconds — from Pop Mart’s website. One day, she prepped with multiple devices ready to click away. “It was crazy, but she managed to buy four [surprise-box figures],” Reyna says. Her Labubu turned out to be “Soy Milk” — a beige version that looked simple but little she knew it was going to open the door to a whole new world.

If you’ve been on TikTok or Instagram lately, chances are you’ve seen the Labubu fever. Created by Korean artist Kasing Lung, the quirky collectible has become a global trend. Labubus aren’t just toys for kids — they’re fashion accessories for adults. Fans dress them up, attach them to purses, trade rare editions online, and wait in virtual lines for weekly drops that vanish in seconds. Even celebrities like Rihanna, Lisa from Blackpink, and even Cher have been spotted carrying them around.

The hype is so strong that entire stores now sell Labubu outfits, vending machines dispense accessories, and videos of collectors showing off their dressed-up toys dominate social media. Pop Mart is riding the wave too — the company is about to launch a mini Labubu you can attach to your phone, so brace for another wave of Labubu-mania.

At first, Reyna wasn’t sure what to do with her Labubu. Then she noticed people online customizing them with tiny clothes. “I started seeing all the different outfits and thought it was cute,” she says. Her feed quickly filled with Labubu videos, and her friends were posting theirs too. Reyna was hooked. “I thought this is like the version of the Beanie Babies craze [in the ’90s],” she says.

She went hunting for an outfit that reflected her own life. She visited pop-up shops, a mall store, and Santee Alley in DTLA, but nothing stood out. That’s when she got the idea of trying to find a Metro outfit. “I saw a Labubu dressed in the UPS, Fedex and even Costco uniform, but nothing related to me,” the bus operator says.

Her mother-in-law, who sews, offered to help. Reyna remembered having an old Metro uniform that no longer fit and handed it over. Soon enough, her Labubu was sporting a tiny button-down shirt, dark pants, and a tie. The finishing touch came later: shiny black shoes she scored for ten bucks.

“When I saw it, I was astonished,” Reyna says. “This tiny thing looked just like me. It brought me so much joy.”

She named it “Metro Bu” and started carrying it around in her backpack. Immediately, people started noticing. “I take the bus to and from work and when riders saw it, they started to ask if they could take pictures,” Reyna says. “Some even started opening up and shared they have a family member who also works at Metro.” Suddenly, a small toy opened the door to meet many new people.

Her coworkers loved it too, with some even asking if her mother-in-law could sew uniforms for their own Labubus. Next on the list? Make more outfits for the “Metro Bu,” like a little blue polo for casual Fridays and maybe a bright green shirt to match the Metro Ambassadors.

“This has become something special,” she says. “It’s not only bringing me joy, but it’s also making other people smile. That’s the greatest part of it.”

From Security Guard to Bus Operator 

Before driving buses, Reyna used to manage security. But later, she wanted a career behind the wheel. “I always thought about driving — either a bus or a big rig,” she explains. But she didn’t want to spend days away from her family in a truck and be alone in the cabin. “At Metro, I found exactly what I was looking for: I could drive and still interact with the public. It was perfect,” says Reyna, who has been riding the system since she was 15. 

Now, three-and-a-half years later, Reyna operates the J Line (Line 950) out of Division 9 in El Monte, taking passengers all the way from El Monte to San Pedro. 

She says patience, observation and a genuine desire to help people are key qualities to be a bus operator. Reyna enjoys getting people around, particularly seniors. “My mom has lived in this country for 30 years and never drove. She’s always relied on public transportation,” says Reyna. “When I see an older rider, it reminds me of her.” 

Being bilingual also helps Reyna connect with riders. Her parents are from El Salvador, and she grew up speaking Spanish. On the bus, that skill makes a difference. “Not everyone is tech savvy. Sometimes I’ll explain in Spanish which apps they can use, which route to take, or what number to call. It’s important to make people feel comfortable.” 

Whether it’s showing off her Metro Labubu, helping seniors, or dancing in a Metro social media video, Reyna makes sure her job is more than just getting people from point A to B. 

She’s marched in the agency’s LGBTQ+ parade, joined fun dancing bus operator videos for Metro’s social media, and outside of work, she cheers for the Angel City Football Club as part of the “Poderosas” supporter group — and even came up with the idea for Metro to display ACFC’s name on bus headers, something already being put into action. 

At the end of the day, Reyna says Metro gives her something her past jobs didn’t: a chance to have fun. “My previous work was just business,” she says. “At Metro it’s different. There’s a fun environment here, and that keeps me enjoying this job.” 

She encourages others to give it a try too. “It’s a lot more fun than people think,” she says. “And if the bus isn’t for you, there are so many other things you can do — transfer to rail, apply for office jobs. There are a lot of opportunities to grow within the agency.” 

Interested in joining Metro? Apply today at: metro.net/about/careers