LA Metro Ridership Reaches Six-Year High Following D Line Expansion

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) reported that rail ridership reached its highest level in more than six years in May. Ridership was boosted by the opening of three new D Line stations and strong early use of World Cup 2026 service to Los Angeles Stadium.

The gains underscore the value of public transportation investments that connect riders to jobs, schools, entertainment, cultural destinations, and major regional events while offering an alternative to traffic and parking costs.

According to LA Metro, rail ridership on the new downtown D Line stations added thousands of daily trips after opening May 8. Some bus riders may have shifted to riding the D Line with its faster travel time.

Here are the numbers:

• Nearly 27 million – total bus and rail boardings in May
• 9.5 percent – increase in rail ridership compared with May 2025
• 62 percent – increase in D Line ridership compared with May 2025, with the three new stations adding an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 rides per day
• 18 percent – increase in systemwide weekend rail ridership; D Line weekend ridership grew nearly 80 percent
• 20.5 million – bus boardings in May, accounting for about 76 percent of LA Metro ridership for the month
• 45,000 – approximate rides to and from the first two World Cup matches at Los Angeles Stadium