Metro Express
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Metro Express is a form of express bus service in Los Angeles County, California, operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Buses are usually express for a portion of the route, then run either local, or limited stop in other areas. Buses are identified by numbers in the 400's (going downtown). Three routes are in the 500's for suburb-to-suburb trips.
There are two routes with an "X" at the end of their route schedule, the 450X and 577X. They are the only routes that uses the blue painted buses and the only routes with a blue timetable. These "X Lines" are premium express services that make minimal stops (Line 450X and Line 577X both making only five stops along the entire route). The "X" does not appear on headsigns, however. This service concept is planned to be expanded in the future. There are a few Express lines that use Metro Rapid buses, but uses mostly Metro Local buses. Also, there are at least 13 routes traveling by their respective transitways (Harbor Transitway and El Monte Busway).
Metro charges two zones maximum for their express services. Each zone is $0.50 added to the base fare of $1.25. Students with K-12 and College/Vocational passes, seniors, and the disabled with monthly passes are not required to pay the zone fees, but for Metro Day Passes and others require the zone fees.
[edit] Routes
[edit] Current Routes
[edit] 439 - Union Station - Aviation Station
Line 439 operates from Patsaouras Transit Plaza at Union Station to the Aviation Green Line Station. In Downtown Los Angeles, Line 439 operates northbound on Figueroa St. and southbound on Flower St., and enters I-10 at Grand Ave. and exits at Olive St. It then runs express on the Santa Monica portion of I-10 to the West Los Angeles Transit Center, then operates through Culver City, Fox Hills Mall, Westchester, and the LAX City Bus Center. Service to Redondo Beach has been assumed by Beach Cities Transit (Line 109), a department of the City of Redondo Beach. On weekends and holidays, Line 439 also goes to the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area off La Cienega Bl. Services levels are generally every 40 minutes during rush hours and 60 minutes outside of rush hours. The express portion requires an additional 1 Zone payment.
[edit] 442 - Union Station - Hawthorne Station
Line 442 operates from Patsaouras Transit Plaza at Union Station to the Hawthorne Green Line Station. In Downtown Los Angeles, Line 442 operates northbound on Figueroa St. and Olive St., and southbound on Grand Ave., Flower St., and Figueroa st., and enters and exits the Harbor Transitway at 39th St. It then runs express on I-110 and the Harbor Transitway to Manchester Blvd., making one stop at Slauson Station, then operates limited stop service on Manchester Blvd. and La Brea Ave. Service operates rush hours only in the peak direction: six trips in the morning going northbound and six trips in the evening going southbound. The express portion requires an additional 1 Zone payment.
[edit] 444 - Union Station - Rancho Palos Verdes via Hawthorne Blvd.
Line 444 operates from Patsaouras Transit Plaza at Union Station to Palos Verdes Dr. South & Seacove Dr. in Rancho Palos Verdes. In Downtown Los Angeles, Line 444 operates northbound on Figueroa St. and Olive St., and southbound on Grand Ave., Flower St., and Figueroa St., and enters and exits the Harbor Transitway at Adams Blvd. It then runs express on the Harbor Transitway to the Artesia Transit Center, then shares its route with Line 130 on Artesia Blvd. and Torrance Transit Line 8 on Hawthorne Blvd. until Pacific Coast Highway, with limited stop service on both streets. Service levels are generally every 30 minutes during rush hours and 60 minutes outside of rush hours. The express portion requires an additional 1 Zone payment if traveling from the termainals to Harbor Freeway Station, or a 2 Zone payment if traveling through Harbor Freeway Station. Metro Rapid buses (40-foot New Flyer, 40-foot NABI, and 45-foot NABI Compobuses) are used on this route.
[edit] 445 - Union Station - San Pedro
Line 445 operates from Patsaouras Transit Plaza at Union Station to Pacific Ave. & 21st St. in San Pedro, traveling nearly the entire length of I-110. In Downtown Los Angeles, Line 445 operates northbound on Figueroa St. and southbound on Flower St., and enters and exits the Harbor Transitway at Adams Blvd. It then runs express on the Harbor Transitway and I-110 to the Artesia Transit Center, then on I-110 from the Artesia Transit Center to San Pedro, making it the only route that stops at Carson and Pacific Coast Highway stations at freeway level. Service levels are generally every 60 minutes every day. The express portion requires an additional 1 Zone payment if traveling from the termainals to Harbor Freeway Station, or a 2 Zone payment if traveling through Harbor Freeway Station. Some Metro Rapid buses are used on this route.
[edit] 446 - Union Station - San Pedro via Pacific Ave.
Line 446 operates from Patsaouras Transit Plaza at Union Station to the Korean Bell Site in San Pedro. In Downtown Los Angeles, Line 446 operates northbound on Figueroa St. and Olive St., and southbound on Grand Ave. and Hope St., and enters and exit the Harbor Transitway at Adams Blvd. It then runs express on the Harbor Transitway to the Artesia Transit Center, then operates through Carson and Wilmington. Line 446 provides earlier and later service than any other Harbor Transitway line, running from about 4:00am to 1:00am daily, but does not provide midday service north of the Artesia Transit Center on all days. Service levels are generally every 30 minutes during rush hours and 60 minutes outside of rush hours. The express portion requires an additional 1 Zone payment if traveling from the termainals to Harbor Freeway Station, or a 2 Zone payment if traveling through Harbor Freeway Station. Some Metro Rapid Buses are used on this route.
[edit] 447 - Union Station - San Pedro via 7th St.
Line 447 operates from Patsaouras Transit Plaza at Union Station to 7th St. & Patton Ave. in San Pedro. In Downtown Los Angeles, Line 447 operates northbound on Figueroa St. and Olive St., and southbound on Grand Ave. and Hope St., and enters and exits the Harbor Transitway at Adams Blvd. It then runs express on the Harbor Transitway to the Artesia Transit Center, then operates through Carson and Wilmington. Line 447 does not provide midday service north of the Artesia Transit Center on all days. Service levels are generally every 20 to 40 minutes during rush hours and 60 minutes outside of rush hours. The express portion requires an additional 1 Zone payment if traveling from the termainals to Harbor Freeway Station, or a 2 Zone payment if traveling through Harbor Freeway Station.
[edit] 450X - Downtown Los Angeles - Artesia Transit Center
Line 450X is the pilot route of the X-Series of Metro Express service, operating from the City National Plaza in the Financial District of Downtown Los Angeles to the Artesia Transit Center. In Downtown Los Angeles, Line 450X operates northbound on Figueroa St. and southbound on Flower St., and enters and exits the Harbor Transitway at Adams Blvd. It then runs express on the Harbor Transitway, making only one stop at the Harbor Freeway Station. Service operates weekdays only, bi-directionally during rush hours: ten trips in the morning and nine trips in the evening, running every 15-20 minutes. The express portion requires an additional 2 Zone payment. Because this is an X-Series line, blue Metro Express buses are used on this route.
[edit] 460 - Downtown Los Angeles - Disneyland
Line 460 operates from 5th St. & Los Angeles St. in Downtown Los Angeles to Disneyland in Anaheim. In Downtown Los Angeles, Line 460 operates northbound on Figueroa St. and eastbound on 6th St., and westbound on 5th St. and southbound on Flower St, then enters and exits the Harbor Transitway at Adams Blvd. It then runs express on the Harbor Transitway and I-105 to the I-605 / I-105 Green Line Station, making stops at 37th St., Slauson, and Manchester Stations on the transitway, then operates either on or around I-5 through Cerritos, Buena Park, Knott's Berry Farm, and Fullerton. Service levels are generally every 30 minutes daily. The express portion requires an additional 1 Zone payment if traveling from the terminals to Manchester Station, or a 2 Zone payment if traveling through Manchester Station.
[edit] 484 - Downtown Los Angeles - Cal Poly Pomona
Line 484 operates from Grand Ave. & Venice Bl. in Downtown Los Angeles to Cal Poly Pomona. In Downtown Los Angeles, Line 484 operates southbound on Grand Ave. and northbound on Olive Ave., and enters and exits the El Monte Busway at Alameda St. It then runs express on the El Monte Busway to the El Monte Bus Station, then operates primarily on Valley Blvd. through mostly unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Some short line trips originate and terminate in the City of Industry. Service levels are generally every 10 minutes during rush hours and 30 minutes outside of rush hours. No additional zone payment is required between Downtown Los Angeles and Cal State L.A. Station, however an additional 2 Zone payment is required if traveling between Cal State L.A. Station. and El Monte Bus Station. Some Metro Rapid buses are used on this route.
[edit] 485 - Downtown Los Angeles - Altadena via Lake Ave.
Line 485 operates from Grand Ave. & Venice Bl. (Grand Ave. & Olympic Bl. on weekends) in Downtown Los Angeles to North Lake Ave. & Altadena Dr. in Altadena. In Downtown Los Angeles, Line 485 operates southbound on Grand Ave. and northbound on Olive Ave., and enters and exits the El Monte Busway at Alameda St. It then runs express on the El Monte Busway to Cal State L.A. Station, then transitions to I-710 via ramps that connect the busway to I-710: eastbound busway to northbound I-710, and southbound I-710 to westbound busway, then operates through Alhambra, San Marino, and Pasadena. Service levels are every 10-15 minutes during rush hours and 30 minutes outside of rush hours. No additional zone payment is required between Downtown Los Angeles and Cal State L.A. Station, and no additional zone payment is required between Cal State L.A. Station and Altadena, however an additional 1 Zone payment is required when traveling through Cal State L.A. Station. Some Metro Rapid buses are used on this route.
[edit] 487 - MacArthur Park - Sierra Madre Villa Station
Line 487 operates from the Westlake / MacArthur Park Red Line Station to the Sierra Madre Villa Gold Line Station. In Downtown Los Angeles, Line 487 operates southbound on Grand Ave. and northbound on Olive Ave., and enters and exits the El Monte Busway at Alameda St. It then runs express on the El Monte Busway to Del Mar Ave., where buses enter and exit the busway to street level via ramps going over the westbound lanes of I-10, then operates through San Gabriel, San Marino, and Pasadena. Service levels are generally every 20 minutes during rush hours, 30-45 minutes outside of rush hours on weekdays, 45 minutes on Saturdays, and 60 minutes on Sundays and holidays. No additioinal zone payment is required between Downtown Los Angeles and Cal State L.A. Station, however an additional 1 Zone payment is required if traveling between Cal State L.A. Station and Del Mar Ave.
[edit] 489 - MacArthur Park - Temple City
Line 489 operates from the Westlake / MacArthur Park Red Line Station to Rosemead Blvd. & Huntington Dr. near Temple City. In Downtown Los Angeles, Line 489 operates southbound on Grand Ave. and northbound on Olive Ave., and enters and exits the El Monte Busway at Alameda St. It then runs express on the El Monte Busway to Del Mar Ave., where buses enter and exit the busway to street level via ramps going over the westbound lanes of I-10, then operates through Rosemead and Temple City. Service operates weekdays only in the peak direction: six trips in the morning going westbound and six trips in the evening going eastbound. No additioinal zone payment is required between Downtown Los Angeles and Cal State L.A. Station, however an additional 1 Zone payment is required if traveling between Cal State L.A. Station and Del Mar Ave.
[edit] 490 - Downtown Los Angeles - Cal Poly Pomona
Line 490 operates from Grand Ave. & Venice Bl. Downtown Los Angeles and Cal Poly Pomona. In Downtown Los Angeles, Line 490 operates southbound on Grand Ave. and northbound on Olive Ave., and enters and exits the El Monte Busway at Alameda St. It then runs express on the El Monte Busway to the El Monte Bus Station, then operates primarily on Ramona Blvd. through El Monte, Baldwin Park, West Covina, Covina, Eastland Center, and Walnut. Line 490 does not provide service to Downtown Los Angeles on weekends and holidays. Service levels are every 10 to 20 minutes during rush hours, 30 minutes outside rush hours on weekdays, and 60 minutes on weekends. No additional zone payment is required between Downtown Los Angeles and Cal State L.A. Station, however an additional 2 Zone payment is required if traveling between Cal State L.A. Station. and El Monte Bus Station.
[edit] 534 - West L.A. Transit Center - Malibu
Line 534 operates from the West Los Angeles Transit Center to Pacific Coast Hwy. & Trancas Canyon Rd. in Malibu. Line 534 runs express on I-10 from the West L.A. Transit Center to Santa Monica, then operates on Pacific Coast Highway through Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Palisades, Pepperdine University, Point Dume on selected trips, and Zuma Beach, making it one of the more scenic routes. Service levels are generally every 10-30 minutes on weekdays, 20-30 minutes on Saturdays, and 30 minutes on Sundays. The express portion requires an addition 1 Zone payment.
[edit] 550 - West Hollywood - San Pedro
Line 550 operates from the West Hollywood Library in West Hollywood to 7th St. & Patton Ave. in San Pedro. Line 550 runs local from the West Hollywood Library to the USC / Exposition Park area through West Hollywood and Mid-City, providing limited stop service between San Vicente Blvd. & Pico Blvd. and Figueroa St. & 39th St, then runs express on the Harbor Transitway from 39th St. to the Artesia Transit Center, then runs local through Harbor Gateway and Harbor City to San Pedro, providing limited stop service between the Artesia Transit Center and Pacific Coast Hwy. & Vermont Ave. Service levels are generally every 20 minutes during rush hours and 30 minutes outside of rush hours. The express portion requires an additional 1 Zone payment if traveling from the termainals to Harbor Freeway Station, or a 2 Zone payment if traveling through Harbor Freeway Station.
[edit] 577X - El Monte Bus Station - Long Beach V.A. Hospital
Line 577X is the second route of the X-Series of Metro Express service, operating from the El Monte Bus Station to the Long Beach V.A. Hospital. Line 577X runs express on I-605, making only five stops along the entire length of the route: El Monte Bus Station, I-605 / I-105 Green Line Station, Cal State Long Beach, 7th St. & Channel Dr., and the Long Beach V.A. Hospital. Service operates weekdays only: every 20 minutes during rush hours, 30 minutes outside of rush hours, and 60 minutes after 8pm. The express portion requires an additional 1 Zone payment if traveling from the termainals to the I-605 / I-105 Green Line Station, or a 2 Zone payment if traveling through the Green Line station. Service is contracted to Southland Transit. Because this is an X-Series line, blue Metro Express buses are used on this route.
Line 577X may extend to the Long Beach Transit Mall as early as June 2007
[edit] Future Routes
[edit] Line 455X - 7th Street/Metro Center - Harbor Beacon Park & Ride Super Express
Line 455X will use the Harbor Transitway with one stop at the Harbor Metro Green Line Station. It will run during peak hours and may begin service in June 2007.
[edit] Former Routes
[edit] 401 - Downtown Los Angeles - Pasadena via Allen Avenue
Line 401 provided service from Downtown Los Angeles to Pasadena via the Pasadena Freeway. Line 401 ran along Arroyo Parkway, Colorado Boulevard, and Allen Avenue. Line 401 was canceled as a result of the opening of the Metro Gold Line and was replaced by line 686, with the southern terminus at the Fillmore station.
[edit] 425 - Ventura Blvd.-Downtown L.A.
Line 425 provided express service to Downtown L.A. on Ventura Blvd. Replaced by Metro Rapid 750.
[edit] 427 - Ventura Blvd.-Downtown L.A.
Replaced by Metro Rapid 750
[edit] 483 - Downtown Los Angeles - Altadena via Fair Oaks Avenue
Line 483 provided service from Downtown Los Angeles to Altadena, mainly on Fair Oaks Avenue. It followed the same route as Line 485 from Downtown Los Angeles to Fremont Avenue and Huntington Drive in South Pasadena. Line 483 was canceled in June 2003 and the Fair Oaks Avenue portion was replaced by Lines 260 and 361.
[edit] 561 - Van Nuys Boulevard - Westwood - Metro Green Line Aviation/I-105 Station
Line 561 operated along Line 233 on Van Nuys Blvd, provides service on Van Nuys Blvd. and Sepulveda Blvd. from the San Fernando/Sylmar Metrolink Station to the Green Line Aviation/I-105 Station, running through Panorama City, Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, the Getty Center, Westwood, Culver City, Westchester, Los Angeles International Airport, and Green Line Aviation/I-105 Station. Line 561 ran on the 405 freeway between Ventura Boulevard and Getty Center Drive and between Wilshire Boulevard and Jefferson Boulevard. Line 561 was replaced with Rapid Line 761 since June 29, 2003 and discontinued south of Westwood. The south of Westwood portion was replaced by Culver CityBus Line 6[1]
| Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (website) | |
| Metro Bus | Metro Local – Metro Rapid – Metro Express |
| Metro Rail | Red Line – Purple Line – Blue Line – Green Line – Gold Line – Expo Line (future) |
| Metro Liner | Orange Line |
| Metro Transitways | Harbor Transitway – El Monte Busway |
| Connecting rail | Amtrak – Amtrak California – Metrolink |
| Other information | Union Station – Metro Fleet – Transportation of Los Angeles |
