Metro Rapid is a bus service in Los Angeles County, California, operated as part of the Los Angeles Metro Bus system. Metro Rapid service was introduced in the early 2000s to provide faster service on major corridors in Los Angeles, with stops spaced approximately apart.
The first Metro Rapid lines featured physical infrastructure improvements, including signal priority at intersections in the City of Los Angeles, and enhanced bus shelters. The service was initially popular, expanding across Los Angeles County. Despite the service's initial popularity, service was cut on some major corridors in response to budget difficulties in the early 2010s.
A major reorganization of the Metro Bus network, the NextGen Bus Plan, was proposed in 2019. Much of the Metro Rapid network was suspended in 2020, as part of the broader impacts on transit from the COVID-19 pandemic, and most Rapid lines were not reinstated. The changes from the NextGen plan, implemented beginning in 2021, merged most Rapid lines back into their local counterparts.
Service Metro Rapid service is a limited-stop bus service, with characteristics of bus rapid transit. These characteristics include off-board fare payment on some lines, enhanced bus stops that are spaced farther apart than corresponding local services, and signal priority at some intersections.
The lack of dedicated bus lanes for Metro Rapid service has led scholars to describe it as "BRT-lite," as opposed to "bus rapid transit" or "full-service bus rapid transit."
History A delegation from the Los Angeles city government, including Mayor Richard Riordan, visited the Brazilian city of Curitiba in early 1999. The civic leaders were impressed by Curitiba's comprehensive bus rapid transit system, the Rede Integrada de Transporte, and sought to replicate it. By the summer of 1999, planning was underway for a pilot program of bus rapid transit service on two corridors: Wilshire Blvd/Whittier Blvd and Ventura Blvd.
The establishment of Metro Rapid service followed a 1996 consent decree, the product of a federal lawsuit brought by a coalition of civil rights organizations, including the Bus Riders Union. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argued that Metro's large subsidies for rail construction and operation, relative to its expenditures for bus service, were discriminatory. Metro Rapid service was one part of Metro's proposals to improve bus service, approved by special master Donald T. Bliss. In addition to introducing Metro Rapid service, Metro expanded local and express bus service, purchased hundreds of new buses, and lowered bus pass prices.Metro Rapid service on the two pilot corridors began in June 2000, opening on the same day as the Red Line extension to North Hollywood. Both lines were immediately popular, generating ridership growth of 25% in their first 90 days of operation. Travel time was improved by over 20% on both lines, aided by the signal priority at intersections in the City of Los Angeles. Customer satisfaction increased relative to the previous local and limited-stop bus services, and the Rapid service quickly captured over 60% of bus ridership on both corridors.
Following the initial pilot program of two lines in 2000, the Metro Rapid system expanded quickly. 6 lines were in operation in 2003, expanding to 26 lines in 2010. This rapid expansion was followed by significant reduction, with 5 Rapid lines cut in 2011 due to a budget crisis.
The NextGen Bus Plan, a Metro initiative to redesign its entire bus network, proposed to eliminate most of the Metro Rapid network beginning in 2020. Implementation of the NextGen plan was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused service cuts independent of the network redesign. In the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning in late 2020, service was reallocated from Metro Rapid lines to local lines. A December 2020 service change eliminated 6 lines, and much of the rest of the network was proposed to be eliminated by 2021. The NextGen plan included the construction of over of new bus lanes across Los Angeles, a feature notably absent from the Metro Rapid system since its introduction.
As of 2026, three Metro Rapid lines remain in operation, serving the Wilshire Blvd, Vermont Av, and Van Nuys Blvd/Sepulveda Pass corridors.
Perception and criticism A 2009 study by the National Bus Rapid Transit Institute found that the public perception of Metro Rapid service was better than that of Metro's corresponding local bus services, and similar to the Blue Line. However, Metro Rapid service was perceived as lower-quality than Orange Line BRT and Metro's other rail services.
Transit planner Jarrett Walker, who is unaffiliated with Metro, criticized the rapid growth of the Metro Rapid service on multiple occasions. Walker characterized the system as "diluted," commenting that Metro Rapid lines introduced after the first two lacked the bus stop amenities, service frequency, and signal priority that defined the two initial lines. Walker nonetheless praised the system for the attitude it represented, describing it as "a remarkable effort to step up mobility all over the city in a very short time."
Routes
Current Metro Rapid routes
RouteTerminalsviaDays of OperationNotes720Santa MonicaDowntown Santa Monica stationDowntown LA6th & CentralWilshire BlDaily (Mon-Fri: 4:30a-1a; Sat/Sun: 5a-1a)Service began June 2000, part of the initial pilot program Replaced Local Limited Lines 318, 320 and 322 Operates alongside Line , which is extended to Santa Monica when Line 720 is not in service during the nightWestwoodWilshire Bl & Westwood Bl754East HollywoodVermont Ave & Hollywood BlAthensVermont Ave & 120th StVermont AvDaily (Mon-Fri: 5a-9:30p; Sa: 6a-9:15p; Su: 6a-8:30p)Service began December 2002 Replaced Local Limited Line 354 Operates alongside Line 761SylmarSylmar/San Fernando stationWest LAExpo/Sepulveda stationVan Nuys Bl, Sepulveda BlDaily (6a-9p)Operates alongside Line , which is extended to West LA when Line 761 is not in operation for the night
Rapid routes operated by other agencies RouteTerminalsviaDays of OperationNotesBig Blue Bus Rapid 10Santa Monica2nd St & Colorado AvDowntown LAMain St & Alameda StSanta Monica Bl, Bundy Dr, I-10, Grand Av/Olive St, Figueroa St/Flower St, Temple StWeekday peak hours (6a-8:15a, 3:30p-6:15p) Branded as a Rapid route, but is primarily a freeway express route Operates into Downtown LA in the AM rush and into Downtown Santa Monica in the PM rushBig Blue Bus Rapid 12WestwoodUCLA Gateway PlazaPalmsOverland Ave & Venice BlWestwood Bl, Overland AvDaily (M-F: 5:30a-11:00p; Sa/Su: 6:30a-11:00p)Culver CityBus Rapid 6WestwoodUCLA Gateway PlazaWestchesterLAX/Metro Transit CenterSepulveda BlWeekdays (5:50a-9:57a; 2:20p-7:35p)Operates alongside Culver CityBus Line 6 Expected to replace Line 6 in the near future.Torrance Transit Rapid 3TorranceMary K. Giordano Regional Transit CenterLong BeachDowntown Long Beach StationCarson St, Avalon Bl, Pacific Coast HwyWeekdays (6:05a-10:20a; 2:15p-7:40p)Operates alongside Torrance Transit Line 3
Former routes RouteTerminalsviaNotes/History 704Santa MonicaOcean Ave & Arizona AveDowntown LAUnion StationSanta Monica Bl Service began on June 24 2007, replaced Line 304 and operated alongside Line 4. Discontinued on September 12, 2021, as part the NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by an increased frequency for Line 4 which was extended to Santa Monica from West LA all-day replacing the entire Line 704 with the exception of the Union Station leg.705West HollywoodWest Hollywood LibraryVernonVernon Ave & Santa Fe AveLa Cienega Bl, Vernon AvService began June 28 2004 and operated alongside Line 105. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by an increased frequency for Line 105.710Koreatown, Los AngelesWilshire/Western StationRedondo BeachSouth Bay GalleriaCrenshaw Bl Service began February 2004, replaced Line 310 and operated alongside Line 210. Saturday service was added to Line 710 in June 2006 until it was discontinued in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Used to run as far as Hollywood/Vine Station via Vine Bl until it was shortened to Wilshire/Western Station in June 2007. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by increased service for Line 210 to which was rerouted to Wilshire/Western D Line Station to replace Line 710's coverage, and in addition to rerouting service from Artesia Bl to Redondo Beach Bl, following Line 710's route.711InglewoodInglewood Transit CenterBell GardensFlorence Ave & Garfield AvFlorence AvBegan service on June 29, 2003, to replace the Local Limited Line 311. Reverted to Limited Line 311 in December 2010, and Line 311 was once again cancelled in June 2016. Replaced by a higher frequency for Line 111.714Beverly HillsSanta Monica Bl & Canon DrDowntown LAGrand/LATTC stationBeverly BlBegan service in June 2005 as a rush hour only route. Midday service was added in June 2008. Discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership. Replaced by an increased service for Line 14.715Westchester, Los AngelesLAX City Bus CenterDowneyDowney Depot Transportation CenterManchester Bl, Manchester Av, Firestone BlBegan service in June 2008, replaced the Local Limited Line 315 for weekday services. Originally ended at South Gate at Firestone/Atlantic until it was extended to City of Downey in December 2008. Discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership. Replaced by an increased service for Line 115 with the exception of LAX City Bus Center leg.InglewoodInglewood Transit Center717HollywoodHollywood/Vine stationCulver CityWest Los Angeles Transit CenterHollywood Bl, Fairfax AvBegan operating in June 2005, replacing the Local Limited Line 317, which began in December 2004. Merged with Line 780 in June 2006 which later was discontinued in June 2021 in favor of increased frequency of Line 217.724Sylmar, Los AngelesSylmar/San Fernando StationNorth Hollywood, Los AngelesNorth Hollywood stationSan Fernando Rd, Lankershim BlBegan service in June 2008, and operated alongside Metro Line 224 Discontinued in June 2009 due to low ridership Line 724 deviation on San Fernando Rd was replaced by an extension of Line 794 which was later discontinued in June 2021. While Line 224 increased service on Lankershim Bl. 728Century City, Los AngelesConstellation Bl & Century Park WDowntown LAUnion StationOlympic BlBegan December 2007, replaced Line 328 and operates alongside Line 28. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by a higher frequency for Line 28.730Mid-City, Los AngelesPico/Rimpau Transit CenterLittle TokyoLittle Tokyo/Arts District stationPico BlBegan operating in June 2008, replaced Local Limited Line 330 and operated alongside Line 30. Originally ran into Union Station until it was relocated to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station in June 2009. Reverted to Line 330 in June 2012, and Line 330 was cancelled once again in December 2020. Replaced by a higher frequency for Line 30.733Santa Monica2nd St & Santa Monica BlDowntown LAUnion StationVenice Bl Began June 2010, replaced Line 333 and operated alongside Line 33 Discontinued in September 2021, due to Phase 2.5 of the NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by an increased frequency for Line 33 in which select trips were extended to Santa Monica from Venice (Main & Sunset Layover), and from Downtown LA (7th & Main) to Union Station all-day replacing Line 733.734Sylmar, Los AngelesSylmar/San Fernando stationWest LAExpo/Sepulveda stationSepulveda BlBegan June 2006, operated alongside Line 234 (which replaced service everyday during late evenings and early mornings and all day on weekends).