To keep pace with growing ridership, Expo Rail Line trains will begin running every six minutes for most of the day beginning Monday, Oct. 24, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) announced today. Trains currently run every 12 minutes and the service changes are expected to help reduce crowding and wait times for riders.
“Since Metro opened the Expo Line last May the demand for service from the public has been incredible,” said Metro Board Chair John Fasana. “Now Metro is increasing the number of train cars used on the line to accommodate the many riders who have chosen to take transit instead of driving on the congested Westside.”
Metro has been running nine trains with three cars since the Expo Line opened last May, but starting Monday, Oct. 24, service will shift to 18 trains with two cars every six minutes, a 33 percent increase in rail capacity service. As the new Kinkisharyo light rail vehicles are deployed, trains will be lengthened to three cars from two.
“For our Expo riders who have experienced our packed trains, this will be a welcomed change,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “This will be a great relief for thousands of Metro commuters and hopefully encourage new riders.”
Monday through Friday, Expo Line trains will run every 6 minutes until 8 p.m. when service frequency will be reduce to every 20 minutes until close of service. On weekends, Expo Line trains will run every 12 minutes, then every 20 minutes after 9 p.m. Trains may run more frequently when there are big events such as football games at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which is adjacent to the Expo Line.
Metro is also adding train cars to the Gold Line as the agency receives new cars from Kinkisharyo. Currently, Metro is operating service every seven minutes during peak periods with two-car trains, and adding a third car as vehicles become available.
Ridership on both lines continues to grow.
The Expo Line is 15 miles long with 19 stations between downtown L.A. and Santa Monica. In downtown L.A. the Expo Line offers easy transfers to the Blue Line, Purple Line and Red Line at the 7th/Metro Center Station. The Gold Line is the longest rail line in the Metro system with 31 miles and 27 stations between East Los Angeles and Azusa.
