Los Angeles Metro: how to use it and how it works

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Today we are going to learn about a new public transportation system, I mean the Metro from The Angels, I'll tell you how it works, how much does it cost and many more recommendations.

We continue our journey through the subways of several cities, where we have already visited Quito, Lima, Santiago and now it adds USA with the train system The Angels.

During my recent visit to the great city of Los Angeles for IPW 2024 that developed in this city, I couldn't not pay a visit to the subway, which has a long history and, in addition to being quite large in the distances it covers, It allowed me to realize that the subways of Latin America are very good, even better in some ways.

Before starting with the information, I invite you to explore this Metro together in this new installment available on the YouTube channel, I'm sure you will like it:

This is how the Los Angeles Metro works

The Los Angeles Metro, inaugurated in 1990 with the Red Line, It is the result of a long history dating back to the electric trams of the late 19th century.. Vehicular congestion and the need for efficient public transportation drove its creation. Despite the rise of the automobile in the 20th century, the Metro persevered and expanded, with the construction of new lines like the Purple, Golden, Expo/Bundy and Orange in the decades of 2000 and 2010. Today, with 6 lines and 103 seasons, The Metro has become a vital element of the city, transporting millions of people every day and connecting key points such as the business center, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Long Beach and very soon until Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

With expansion plans and infrastructure improvements, The Los Angeles Metro has an interesting future, even more so when the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics will arrive, where you must improve many details that lower your quality of service, plus low demand, It has many challenges ahead to be able to sustain the current and future plans.

Lines

Currently, the Metro of The Angels has 8 operational lines, but of which 2 They are buses known as fast buses, the rest are trains:

• Blue or A Line: It is the longest and oldest of all, runs from Long Beach to Azusa.
• Red or B Line:Tour 31 stations along 38.6 km from North Hollywood to Downtown Los Angeles.
• Green Line or C: This line runs from Redondo Beach to Norwalk and is the current closest connection to LAX Airport with a bus.
• Purple or D Line:Connects Wilshire Boulevard from Westwood to Union Station, with 19 stations along 29.2 km.
• Línea Dorada or E: runs from Santa Monica to East LA with 30 seasons.
• Pink or K Line: It is under construction and has only active 7 stations operating and will be the direct connection to the Los Angeles Airport with a direct train to the terminal.
• Orange or G Line:Operates as an express bus between Van Nuys and Chatsworth, with 16 stations along 32 km.
• Silver Line or F:Also works as a fast bus, connecting Downtown Los Angeles to Downtown Long Beach, with 12 stations along 22.5 km.

Total, This subway has 101 stations and a network of 172.3 km of roads. The trains are quite similar from line to line, but there are some trains that are older and have less technology..

Rates and payment methods

Let's go to what we are most interested in knowing, how to pay and how much does it cost to use this metro:

• Rate: one trip per person costs $1.75.
• TAP card: The option most used by locals. You can recharge it with different amounts of money and use it to pay for your subway trip, bus and other means of public transportation.
• Metropass: A one-day or one-day pass 7 days that allows you unlimited trips on the subway and bus.
• Mobile payment: You can use applications like Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay for your trip at some metro stations, although it didn't let me download the subway's own app from Google Play.

I highly recommend using the TAP card, since it will allow you to interconnect with the different metro and bus lines with a single rate without paying individually for each trip, It's a good saving.

Hours of operation:

It is very varied, but in general terms it works like this:

• The metro operates from Monday to Friday from 5:00 AM a 12:00 AM (midnight).
• Saturdays and Sundays, service begins at 6:00 AM.
• Specific schedules for each line and station may vary, Therefore, it is recommended to consult the Los Angeles Metro website before your trip.

Recommendations for your trip on the Metro

Usually, traveling on this subway is feeling very safe, But there are somewhat negative situations such as homeless people sleeping inside trains or unpleasant smells., that I will not mention, so I leave you these recommendations:

• Always try to get on a car with more people and avoid being alone in the subway..
• Do not make visual or verbal contact with characters you may encounter on the subway or even in the city., You just follow your path and look for more people to surround yourself with..
• Pay attention to your belongings: As in any public transportation system, It is important to keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings..
• Plan your route: Before boarding the subway, Consult the map of lines and stations to plan your route. You can use the official Los Angeles Metro app or website to find the best way to get to your destination.
• Buy your TAP or Metropass card in advance: This will save you time at the stations and avoid queues..
• Validate your TAP or Metropass card on each trip: Make sure to validate your card at the card readers located at the stations and inside the trains.
• Respect other passengers: Keep the noise down, Give your seat to older people or people with special needs and avoid blocking doors or aisles.

The Metro of The Angels It is an excellent option to get around the city in an economical way, but the fastest is not. The frequency of the trains is 10 a 15 minutes (higher than other meters where I have been) so your trip will last much longer than taking an Uber or car.

With a little planning and following general recommendations, you will be able to fully enjoy your experience in this public transport system, I did hope it would be more modern, but what does it do is take you to your destination.

Have you ever used this subway system? Tell me your experience in the comments…

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