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2/14/2024
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) registered 284,905,030 million boardings on its trains and buses in 2023, up 11.6% over 2022 ridership and the highest boardings since the pandemic.
Ridership on some weekend days exceeded pre-pandemic numbers, L.A. Metro officials said in a news release.
"Metro is making the system safer, more welcoming and accessible. The ridership numbers reflect that,” said Los Angeles Mayor and L.A. Metro Chair Karen Bass.
Factors that influenced ridership included heightened safety and improved service. Last year, L.A. Metro began implementing a multilayered approach to safety consisting of law enforcement, Metro Transit Security, private security, Metro Ambassadors and care teams. Also in 2023, the Regional Connector opened in June with the newly reconfigured A and E Lines; L.A. Metro added more frequent service to the B and D subway lines; and frequency improved on light-rail lines.
Cleanliness was a factor, as well. L.A. Metro replaced the cloth seats on all the buses and trains with vinyl seating and hired additional custodians and cleaning staff to increase cleaning frequency, including improved end-of-line and station cleaning throughout service hours. L.A. Metro also tried to make the system more affordable through reduced-price and free transit pass programs, including the student GoPass pilot program that offers free passes to K-12 and community college students, and the Low-Income Fare is Easy program that offers free rides and reduced fares to low-income riders.
"We’ve been working hard over the last couple of years to put people first and make our system cleaner, safer, more reliable and easier to use than ever before," said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. "Because of all our improvements, Angelenos are increasingly making Metro their mode of choice to get to their favorite destinations, especially on weekends."