Greater LA Metro Hits 24 Months of Ridership Growth
L.A. Metro records 25.8 million November boardings, marking 24 consecutive months of growth
L.A. Metro Hits 24 Months of Ridership Growth
Los Angeles transit riders are returning to buses and trains in growing numbers, with L.A. Metro recording its 24th straight month of year-over-year ridership increases in November 2024. The agency logged 25.8 million boardings across its combined bus and rail systems, officials announced December 19. Weekend bus ridership has now surpassed pre-pandemic levels, marking a significant recovery milestone for the nation's second-largest transit system.
Sustained Recovery Reflects Changing Travel Patterns
The two-year growth streak represents more than just pandemic recovery—it signals shifting transportation preferences across the Los Angeles metropolitan area, transit officials said. The sustained increase in weekend bus ridership particularly stands out, suggesting residents are increasingly choosing public transit for leisure travel and weekend activities, not just weekday commutes. This pattern differs from typical post-pandemic recovery trends seen in other major cities, where weekend service often lags behind weekday ridership restoration. The milestone comes as transit agencies nationwide continue working to rebuild ridership that declined sharply during COVID-19 lockdowns.
November Numbers Show Broad System Usage
Metro's November 2024 total of 25,844,065 boardings reflects usage across the agency's extensive network of bus routes and rail lines serving Los Angeles County. The figure includes trips on Metro's six rail lines and more than 170 bus routes that connect communities from Santa Monica to Pomona and from the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach. Officials didn't break down specific ridership numbers by individual lines or routes, but the overall trend shows consistent growth across the system. The weekend bus ridership milestone is particularly significant because weekend service traditionally sees lower usage than weekday commuter patterns.
Growth Trend Extends Through End of 2024
The 24-month consecutive growth period runs from December 2022 through November 2024, according to Metro's announcement. Officials released the ridership data on December 19, 2024, highlighting the sustained nature of the recovery. The agency tracks boardings monthly and compares them to the same month in the previous year to measure year-over-year growth. Metro hasn't provided projections for how long the growth trend might continue or what ridership targets the agency has set for 2025.
Riders Can Track Real-Time Service Information
The ridership growth affects millions of daily trips across L.A. County, with more residents relying on Metro for both essential commutes and discretionary travel. Transit officials said the weekend ridership recovery particularly benefits riders using buses for shopping, entertainment, and social activities. Riders can access real-time arrival information, service alerts, and trip planning through Moovit, which provides updates for Metro's bus and rail lines throughout the Los Angeles area. The sustained growth suggests public confidence in transit reliability continues strengthening as the system moves further beyond pandemic disruptions.
