LA Metro Restores Bus Link to Malibu After Fire

Metro resumes Line 134 bus service Friday with closed-door operation through fire zones

Metro Restores Partial Bus Service to Malibu

Los Angeles Metro will restore limited bus service between Malibu and Santa Monica starting Friday, transit officials said. Line 134 will operate as closed-door service through fire-affected areas, meaning buses won't pick up or drop off passengers in zones still recovering from the Palisades Fire. The service resumes February 28, according to an agency announcement published Wednesday.

Recovery Milestone for Fire-Affected Communities

The partial service restoration marks progress in reconnecting communities along the coastal corridor after the Palisades Fire disrupted transit operations. Metro suspended Line 134 service through affected areas as the wildfire damaged infrastructure and forced evacuations in January. Transit agencies typically implement closed-door service when routes pass through areas where it's unsafe to board or exit buses but the roadway itself is passable. The approach allows agencies to maintain connections between unaffected areas while respecting safety restrictions in recovery zones.

Service Parameters and Restrictions

Buses will travel the full Line 134 route but won't stop in fire-affected zones between Malibu and Santa Monica, officials said. Passengers can board and exit at stops outside the restricted areas. Metro didn't specify which exact stops will remain closed or how long the closed-door service will continue before full service resumes. The agency said it's coordinating with local authorities to determine when normal boarding and alighting can safely resume throughout the corridor. Officials didn't provide ridership figures for Line 134 before the fire disruption.

Implementation Begins This Week

The closed-door service takes effect Friday, February 28, following Metro's announcement Wednesday. Officials said they'll continue monitoring conditions in fire-affected areas to determine when full service can resume. The agency didn't provide a timeline for restoring normal operations with all stops available. Metro typically evaluates emergency service modifications on an ongoing basis as conditions change.

What Riders Need to Know

Passengers traveling between Malibu and Santa Monica can use Line 134 starting Friday but should expect buses to pass through fire-affected areas without stopping. Riders needing to access locations in the closed-door zone will need alternative transportation until full service resumes. Moovit provides real-time updates for Metro routes, including service alerts and stop-specific information for Line 134 as the agency transitions back to normal operations.