The Los Angeles Metro expands light rail lines in efforts to make transit more accessible and improve rider safety. Riders say they have mixed experiences commuting by train and bus.
Nita Rios, who has commuted on the Metro for five years, said she sometimes enjoys riding the train and bus, but it’s “not always the safest.” Rios said she’s seen an increase in fare checks, which seem like “a distraction from the real problems, like safety.” She hopes to see an improvement in security on Metro light rails and stations.
Not every part of the Metro system receives the same attention. Light rail expansions and other major projects are widely publicized and celebrated. But small improvements like increased bus frequency receive less recognition, but benefit daily riders.
Jacob Wasserman, UCLA public transit research program manager, said capital projects are well funded because the federal government subsidizes them.
“You get a ribbon cutting … Whereas we increased bus service from every 20 minutes to every 10 minutes – there’s no ribbon cutting there,” Wasserman said.
Metro has full control over rail lines, from timing to infrastructure. Bus service, however, is more complicated because many bus stops are owned and maintained by individual cities rather than Metro itself, Wasserman said. That divide of responsibility can make improving bus rider experiences much more difficult.
“Bus riders are often the lowest-income members of our society. And for reasons well beyond transportation, they have the least political power,” he said.
Public transit investments help to reduce traffic congestion and gas emissions. But political pressure often shifts funding priorities away from public transit, Wasserman said.
“Metro has full control over rail lines from timing to infrastructure. Bus service, however, is more complicated because many bus stops are owned and maintained by individual cities rather than Metro itself. That divide of responsibility can make improving bus rider experiences much more difficult.”
As gas prices remain high, some commuters turn to the metro for affordable transportation.
“It beats driving any day,” said P. Osula, who has ridden the metro for more than 15 years.
One metro commuter, Liz Fraser, said she loves riding the metro for the convenience.
“It’s ever-growing, it’s usually pretty clean, not too crowded,” she said.
Public transportation is also important for opportunity, Wasserman said.
“If you have a job interview or need to get to work on time, unreliable transit can limit those opportunities,” he said.
With the 2028 Olympics approaching, Mayor Karen Bass initially promoted a car-free Olympics. But the city’s transportation strategy has changed, and the campaign is now “Metro-first.” This includes projects like new rail lines, rapid bus transit projects, bike lanes, and station improvements with transit hubs.
New stations such as Wilshire/La Cienega are bright, modern and well-maintained. Riders also had access to amenities including charging outlets on the subway cars.
Stopped at Wilshire/La Cienega, a newly built station well-lit but so empty. Heading outside the rail station, only one bus stop had seating, and the rest were standing stops with no protection from the weather.
Near the D line toward DTLA, the Wilshire/Western station appeared dimly lit and less maintained than the newly opened stations farther west. Walking out of the station, trash was littered around the station. Walking one street down, bus stops’ seating and nearby sidewalks appeared under a layer of grime.
When asking what Metro should improve, one rider on the E line Expo/Crenshaw pointed to two basic needs: more security and places to charge phones.
(Winston Sanchez / L.A. Times HS Insider)
Increased security and phone charging outlets already exist on Metro’s expansion towards the westside. However, busier stations and rail lines don’t always have these amenities.
The push to prepare Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics raises a larger question about who benefits the most from Metro’s investments.
Bus shelters are one example. According to Wasserman, many shelters are installed through contracts with advertising companies.
“They set up bus shelters in contracts with an advertising firm. The idea is the advertising firm gets the revenue from doing the adve
rtising… It’s a good model in theory, but it means that we’re at the whims of the advertising company as opposed to necessarily installing bus shelters quickly and where it makes most sense for ridership.”
(Winston Sanchez / L.A. Times HS Insider)
As L.A. prepares to welcome the games in 2028, Metro faces an important challenge, leaving a strong impression on Olympic visitors. However, many commuters who depend on public transportation every day are waiting for cleaner stations, safer commutes, more reliable service and basic amenities.
The success of Metro’s Olympic investments may ultimately be measured not by the ribbon cuttings before the games, but by whether the improvements continue to benefit the riders who rely on the system long after the closing ceremony.
