Editor’s Note: The writer previously worked for a public outreach firm with L.A. Metro as a client on contract. The writer is no longer employed there nor has completed any work for L.A. Metro while writing this story.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority changed the daily bus and rail schedules due to the circumstances with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Source, Metro’s transportation news and reviews outlet, said the schedule changes start on April 19th. Metro said the entire workforce will remain on the job.
“Bus and rail service will continue but with service adjustments to reflect on-the-street reality of lower demand,” Metro said in a press release on March 20.
Metro’s new adjusted schedule will be similar to the current regular Sunday rail and bus schedule but run on weekdays. Metro is calling the new program its “hybrid service package.”
Trains will run at stations roughly every 12 minutes between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., with trains running roughly every 20 minutes outside of those hours.
C Line (green) trains will run slightly differently.
From 4 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday trains will run every 12 minutes, every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and back to every 12 minutes between 3 p.m and 6 p.m. Trains traveling from Saturday to Sunday will run every 15 minutes from 10 a.m.to 6 p.m. Trains will run every 20 minutes all other times.
Buses will also be running modified schedules see here for all the changes happening across the Metro system.
The new schedule took effect as Californians followed Governor Newsom’s stay-at-home order.
The use of public transit across the southland is down with only essential travel and work permitted.
Metro CEO Phillip Washington said Metro is doing its best to keep the entire Metro system safe for all riders.
“I want to assure the public and Metro employees that we are doing everything possible to maintain a healthy and safe system for our customers who rely heavily on Metro buses and trains as their lifeline to get where they need to go throughout L.A. County,” Washington said in a press release on March 20.
Metro said their weekday ridership is down over 50%.
Despite the extreme slump in ridership, Metro said they are not considering stopping all bus and rail services.
In addition to reducing service, Metro has stated on their website that they are installing hand sanitizer in major transit stops across the county as well as increasing cleaning procedures.
For the latest schedule information visit metro.net.
