LA Metro
Los Angeles Metro
Metro, which operates the regional bus and rail system for Los Angeles, is the third-largest transportation system in the United States. Metro also connects different cities within the Greater Los Angeles Area to each other, for example:
A. A traveler exploring the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles can take the Metro Gold Line to Pasadena, and then take Pasadena Transit to the Rose Bowl Stadium for vintage shopping at the monthly Flea Market.
B. Someone shopping for vinyl records in Highland Park might take the Metro Gold Line to Pasadena, and then jump on Foothill Transit to see a horse race at Santa Anita Park.
Metro in Popular Culture
In 1994, Metro was featured in several pivotal scenes in Speed, starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. The iconic orange Metro buses have made several appearances in other films set in Los Angeles, like Crash, Collateral, Battle: Los Angeles, Superbad, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Volcano.
Modes of Service
Metro's primary modes of services fall under three umbrellas; Metro Bus, Metro Rail and Metro Bike.
Metro Rail
There are six Metro Rail lines throughout Los Angeles; Pasadena is serviced by the Gold Line, a 31 mile (50 km) light rail train line that runs between East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. Downtown Pasadena and Downtown Los Angeles sit at the center of the line.
Gold Line Right-of-Way
The Gold Line's route is quite unique and historic, it was originally built in 1885, and throughout its history it has served the Santa Fe Railway and LA's famous Red Car system. While most of line runs at-grade, it frequently becomes elevated and occasionally tunnels through the earth — providing an interesting perspective of Los Angeles that can only be experienced by riding the Gold Line. For example, near the Chinatown Station, as the train ascends above the LA River it simultaneously travels upward beneath an overpass for cars. As the train approaches Union Station from Pasadena, it simulates an airplane landing, as it comes to a complete stop at the platform. Near Southwest Museum Station, the train straddles a hillside, as it curves around riders can capture a great glimpse of the National Treasure at the top of the hill.
Full System Map—Metro Rail
Gold Line Documentary (2003)
Pasadena Gold Line Stations
There are six Gold Line stations in Pasadena with easy access to several of the city's top attractions.
Fillmore Station
95 Fillmore Street, Pasadena, California 91105
Free On-site Parking – 125 Spaces
Paid Reserved On-site Parking – 30 Spaces
6 Bike Rack Spaces
Del Mar Station
202 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, California 91105
610 spaces - paid parking
For more info, City of Pasadena link
26 Bike Rack Spaces (Bike Room)
Tip: Del Mar Station was originally built as a train depot for the Santa Fe Railway, today the exterior is a Metro station and the interior is La Grande Orange Cafe.
Memorial Park Station
125 E. Holly Street, Pasadena, California 91103
8 Bike Rack Space, 16 Bike Lockers
Lake Station
340 N Lake Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101
Paid Reserved On-site Parking – 50 Spaces
18 Bike Rack Spaces
Allen Station
395 N Allen Avenue, Pasadena, California 91106
28 Bike Rack Spaces
Sierra Madre Villa Station
149 N Halstead Street, Pasadena, California 91107
Free On-site Parking – 841 Spaces
Paid Reserved On-site Parking – 88 Spaces
10 Bike Rack Spaces, 16 Bike Lockers
Metro Gold Line Connections
At Union Station, the Gold Line connects to Red Line (Hollywood and North Hollywood), Purple Line (Koreatown), and the LAX Flyaway (Los Angeles International Airport).
Metro Bus
Metro Local routes stop about every two blocks and are painted orange. Metro Rapid routes are faster, they stop only at major intersections and they are painted red. Metro Liner routes travel long distances on freeways and make very few stops, they are painted silver.
Metro Local 267/264 — Altadena, Pasadena, Arcadia, El Monte
Metro Bus 501 — NoHo to Pasadena Express
Cost & TAP Cards
Metro's base fare is $1.75, passengers can pay exact cash every time they board a Metro bus (bus operators don't carry change) or buy a reusable TAP card from kiosks at Metro Rail stations and add fare. TAP Cards work for both Metro Rail and Metro Buses, TAP cards are also accepted aboard most other public transportation agencies in the area (Pasadena Transit, Foothill Transit, etc.). It is highly recommended that travelers get a TAP card and load enough fare to last a few days — this way you breeze through the system and you aren't waiting in line at a kiosk while trains are passing you by. Note: the Metro Local 501 (NoHo to Pasadena Express) costs an additional 75 cents.
Resources
Speak to a Metro Customer Information Agent at 323.GO.METRO (323-466-3876) or visit metro.net.
Tip: Most bus and rail lines start around 4 AM and keep running past 12 midnight, but they're less frequent in the evenings, so be sure to plan your return trip before you go.
Metro Micro Rideshare
Micro is Metro’s new on-demand rideshare service, offering trips within Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre as well as in other zones across LA County. The new service is for short local trips and uses small vehicles (seating up to 8 passengers). Micro’s on-demand trips mean you can access service when you need it, and offers shorter wait times, and better reliability for your local trips.
Micro operates Monday-Sunday from 5:30am-9:30pm and offers hundreds of pick up/drop off points within Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre. Some of the top destinations for Metro Micro riders include Pasadena’s most popular shopping centers, hiking spots, and top academic institutions.
Metro Micro Top Destinations
These are some of Metro Micro rider’s favorite places to visit!
- Old Pasadena
- Hastings Ranch Shopping Center
- Eaton Canyon Nature Center
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- Pasadena City College
- CalTech
- Pasadena High School
- Pasadena Convention Center
Connections
Use Metro Micro to connect with Metro’s L Line (Gold) at Del Mar Station, Memorial Park Station, Lake Station, Allen Station, and Sierra Madre Villa station.
Booking Your Ride
The easiest way to book a ride is through the Metro Micro app, which can be downloaded in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on any Apple or Android device. Additionally, you can book a ride online at book.metro-micro.net, or call to book at 323.GO.METRO.
Currently, all Metro Micro rides cost $1.00 and can be paid for by adding a credit card to your Metro Micro account, or by using stored value your TAP card when you board the vehicle. You can book a ride up to 7 days in advance or book a ride on demand.