Overview

An early study conducted by the City of Los Angeles on Metro bus service here in Los Angeles showed that half the time a bus is in service, it is stopped, either at a red traffic signal or at a bus stop to board and/or alight passengers. To help improve bus speeds, the Metro Rapid Demonstration Program was implemented along two key corridors in June 2000. With the implementation of a number of key attributes such as bus signal priority, low-floor buses, and fewer stops, passenger travel times were reduced by as much as 29 percent.

As a result, initial ridership increased by up to 40 percent, with one third of that ridership increase from new riders who had never used public transit. Following the successful implementation of the Metro Rapid Demonstration Program, an expansion program identifying over 20 additional corridors was developed. The Metro Rapid Program now operates within a network of nearly 400 miles of Metro Rapid service, while integrating light and heavy rail transit through Los Angeles County.

Metro Rapid has a number of key attributes that when implemented together, provides fast and frequent bus service. One of the key elements of the program is the bus signal priority system, collaboratively developed by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation and Metro for use in the City of Los Angeles. Comprised of loops and radio transponders, the system can extend the green phase or shorten the red phase of traffic signals, therefore reducing the amount of bus delay at intersections. The system also provides real-time passenger information at each station.

The second bus signal priority system uses wireless technology and is used in areas outside the City of Los Angeles.

Key Metro Rapid Attributes:

• Simple route layout: Makes the system easier to use and remember routes
• Frequent service: Buses arrive as often as every 3-10 minutes during peak commute times
• Fewer stops: Stops are spaced about ¾ mile apart, like rail lines, at most major transfer points
• Level boarding/alighting: Low-floor buses speed-up dwell times
• Bus priority at traffic signals: this technology reduces traffic delay at intersections by extending the green light or shortening the red light
• Color-coded buses and stops: Metro Rapid's distinctive red color scheme makes it easy to identify Metro Rapid stops and buses
• Enhanced stations: Metro Rapid stations provide transit information, lighting, canopies and "Next Bus" displays 

Metro Rapid Update

24 Metro Rapid Lines Serve LA County

The Metro Rapid program debuted on Wilshire-Whittier (Metro Rapid Line 720) and Ventura Blvds. (Metro Rapid Line 750) in June 2000.

Additional lines were added as follows:

• Vermont and South Broadway Aves. (Vermont Metro Rapid Line 754 and South Broadway Metro Rapid Line 745, December 2002)
• Van Nuys Blvd. (Van Nuys Metro Rapid Line 761, June 2003)
• Crenshaw Blvd. (Crenshaw Metro Rapid Line 710, February 2004)
• Vernon-La Cienega Blvd. and Soto St. (Vernon-La Cienega Metro Rapid Line 705 and Soto Metro Rapid Line 751, June 2004)
• Hawthorne Blvd. and Hollywood-Pasadena (Hawthorne Metro Rapid Line 740 and Hollywood-Pasadena Metro Rapid Line 780, December 2004)
• Lincoln Blvd. and Fairfax Ave. (Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus Rapid 3 Line and Metro Rapid Line 717, June 2005)

Metro later combined Metro Rapid Lines 780 (Hollywood/Pasadena) and 717 (Fairfax Rapid) from the West Los Angeles Transit Center to Pasadena. The line has been renumbered Metro Rapid 780.

• Western Ave. (Metro Rapid Line 757, December, 2005)
• North Sepulveda Blvd. (Metro Rapid Line 734, June 2006)
• Reseda Blvd. (Metro Rapid Line 741, December, 2006)
• Santa Monica and Long Beach Blvds. (Metro Rapid Line 704 and Metro Rapid Line 760, June, 2007)
• West Olympic Blvd. and Garvey-Chavez Ave. (Metro Rapid Line 728 and Metro Rapid Line 770, December, 2007)
• San Fernando-Lankershim Blvd., Pico Blvd., Atlantic Blvd. and San Fernando South (San Fernando-Lankershim Metro Rapid Line 724, Metro Rapid Line 730, Metro Rapid Line 762, and Metro Rapid Line 794, June, 2008)

Metro later combined Metro Rapid Lines 724 (San Fernando-Lankershim) and 794 (San Fernando South) from the Sylmar Metrolink Station to Downtown Los Angeles via San Fernando).  The line has been renumbered Metro Rapid 794 in June 2009.

• Pico Blvd. (Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus Rapid 7, August 2008)
• South Sepulveda Blvd. (Culver City Bus Rapid Line 6, January 2010)
• Venice Blvd. (Metro Rapid Line 733, June 2010)

For more information on Metro Rapid call 323.GO.METRO or, to download a timetable, click on Timetables.

• Metro Rapid can speed you to your destination up to 23% faster than local bus service because:
• Metro Rapid gets priority. Each bus has a special sensor that works to provide more green time at traffic lights.  Less time waiting at red lights means fewer delays.
• Metro Rapid is frequent. Buses come as often as every 3-10 minutes during peak hours.
• Metro Rapid makes fewer stops. They're at most major intersections connecting with other transit services. Fewer stops mean shorter travel times.
• Best of all, there's no extra cost! Metro Rapid has the same fare as all other Metro bus lines. It accepts your passes and tokens and you can transfer easily. 

Timetables

Lines 700-799

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