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SUBWAY & LIGHT RAIL
Lightrail station at Union Station Los Angeles
Overview: The Los Angeles Metro Rail Subway and Light Rail (above ground) systems are growing slowly but surely. Some lines are certainly cost-efficient and time-savers (i.e. the Light Rail Blue Line from downtown Los Angeles to Long Beach). Other lines are just a fun way to get around. But, the Los Angeles metro system is not elaborate or extensive as far as reaching popular parts of Los Angeles such as Santa Monica. Expansion of the subway into the west side of Los Angeles (Century City, Beverly HIlls, Culver City, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Venice) has had its opposition in the past and consequently does not reach into the west side of Los Angeles. If you are visiting downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood, you may want to explore the subway and light rails transportation options.
Metro Subway: Red and Purple
The Red Line subway system covers the areas of downtown Los Angeles from Union Station and runs west/north bound to Hollywood, Universal City and North Hollywood.
The Purple Line subway starts from Union Station and ends at Wilshire and Western.
Metro Light Rail
There are three official light rail lines in Los Angeles: Blue Line, Green Line and Gold Line.
The Blue Line starts in downtown Los Angeles at 7th Street Metro Center station, which in turn serves the Red and Purple Line subways as well as the Metrolink. The Blue Line light rail ends in Long Beach.
The Green Line light rail services Redondo Beach (South Bay area) and heads east to Norwalk.
The Gold Line starts at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and takes you through L.A.’s Chinatown to East Pasadena.
Site: www.metro.net
Ph: (800) 266-6883 (transit info), (800) 621-7828 (wheelchair lift), (213) 922-6000 (the Los Angeles MTA administrative office)
Timetable: http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/riders_guide/planning_trip.htm
Cost: Peak hours, base fare is $1.25, day pass is $5.00. Disabled and Senior Citizens pay $0.55/boarding, $1.80/day pass.
Off-Peak hours: 9am – 3pm and 7pm – 5am weekdays, all day on weekends, cost for disabled: $0.25
Accessibility: All metro stations for the subways and light rails have ramps and elevators. There are very small gaps between the platform and the subway cars.