(Note: when I say “Metro” from now on, I am referring to the subway system, because honestly, I still find Los Angeles buses intimidating. Besides, many Los Angeles hotspots are accessible via subway plus light walking).
Perhaps another reason people choose not to use the Metrolink is due to the anxiety of navigating through the subway system once they reach downtown. This is a true shame because the Metro is a lot cleaner and straightforward than the unfamiliar rider would believe. The Metro is a great, inexpensive way to get around town if you need to ditch the car. And like any journey, it feels like a mini adventure. So get onboard!
Tickets
Tickets cost $1.25 per line. Unlike the wonderful New York City subways, one ticket does not allow underground transfer to multiple lines. Oh no, in LA, one $1.25 ticket is required for each train.
It has come to my attention that a metro ticket is direction specific, but there is a two hour time limit. As far as I know, this means you can exit the subway and board again within the two hour time span and continue on the same route.
The system is lax, so it may seem as if people can take advantage of the system. For starters, there is no turnstile to pass through. There is no ticket validation system. It seems like anarchy. One wonders what the incentive is to even buy tickets in the first place due to how easy it is to enter the train. But as with the Metrolink, random ticket checks may happen at any time, resulting in a hefty fine and public embarrassment. So take a minute and buy a ticket at the machine.
Ticket Machines
Machines are present at or nearby all subway platforms. If you can work one ticket machine, you can work any:
1) Select type of ticket: one way, daily pass for Metro and bus, or Metro to Muni transfer ticket
2) Insert cash or tokens (no credit cards, at least as far as I know)
Added bonus: change for tickets if provided in form of dollar coins!!
Remember- if you rode in from the Metrolink and are thinking about purchasing a Metro ticket, don’t! Your Metrolink ticket entitles you to one free line ticket or one bus ticket.
Weekly prepaid tickets are also offered in the Metro Customer Center at Union Station, downtown Los Angeles.
Map and Train Lines
To view more information on a specific line, including parking information and the street address of each stop, click on an individual line below.
Red Line
Purple Line
Green Line
Blue Line
Gold Line
Train Schedules
Ok, another comparable downside of the LA versus NYC subway system is that ours is not in operation 24 hours a day. But to be fair, most of LA isn’t in operation 24 hours a day, either. Most trains run until 1 a.m. on the weekdays and 12 a.m. on weekends (though backwards that may seem). And besides, the Metro picks up again within the hour of 4 a.m., depending on the weekday or weekend.
When they are operating, the subways are pretty speedy. If you miss your desired subway, another will arrive within fifteen minutes (or 20 if late at night), allowing you plenty of time to get to know your fellow metro travelers on your platform.
Each line has a separate schedule of times and locations available on the train.
Schedules for each line can be looked up here, on the Metro website. Navigate to the bottom of the page, then click on the corresponding line to download a schedule for departure and arrival times for weekdays and weekends/holidays.
To read the schedule
first make sure you are looking at the right weekday (times on weekends/holidays are different than M-F days).
Then verify the direction you want to go: it should say in large letters at the top if the direction is northbound, westbound, etc.
Next, locate your departure stop at the top horizontal line. Departure times are listed vertically, beginning at the top of the page with the morning hours, leading down to the evening.
Here's a sample portion from the Gold line:
Navigating your way around
Once you get on the Metro, don't worry! It's hard to get confused. Once you approach the track, simply look at signs to tell what direction the track is going. Resorting to your Metro map, find the first and last stop on the line. Then platform or the train will say the last stop in either direction, letting you know which way it's going. As the train is approaching, it will also display the last stop of the current direction on the exterior of the first car.
Once onboard, all of the train walls display a linear map of stops for that line. Some trains are even equipped with a working light map, displaying the approaching stop. Also, outside station signs are visible from the trains, so you can identify where you are in your journey. The conductor announces each approaching stop as well, though sometimes it's difficult to understand what they're saying, so stay alert and keep an eye out for where you are in your commute. It's that easy!
Ticket Discounts
The Metro are savvy people, they know that discounts yields increased use. Thus, senior and disabled tickets are offered. But probably more relevant to La Verne, the Metro offers student discounts! Monthly unlimited passes are only $36, which in itself is les than it costs to put a tank of gas in my car. The process for a monthly student pass is relatively easy once you sort through the forms, so allow me to simplify:
1) Print out and complete the application below
Be sure to include:
- a $1 application fee in check or money order, made payable to Metro (ridiculous, I know, but someone’s gotta get paid)
- a current 1” x 1.25” full face photo stapled in the right place on the application
- a photocopy of a valid photo ID, driver’s license, school ID, or passport
- Proof of full time enrollment (at least 12 hours), such as a transcript.
2) Mail or hand deliver this bundle of goods to:
Metro Reduced Fare Office
Mail Stop 99-PL-4
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
3) Then in 20 business days or more (ugh), you’ll get your Metro ID card.
And there you have it: a basic understanding of how to get around using the subway in Los Angeles. It seems like a lot of information at first, and might possibly confuse you. But the way I see it, if you can conquer the Los Angeles freeway system in your car, you are capable of doing just about anything.
