How to Metro 101

By: Sophia Pei ‘22

USC is fortunate enough to have 3 Metro stops near USC’s main campus! For $1.75 you’re able to go to DTLA or Santa Monica and everywhere in between. Here are some tips from an LA local about the Metro Expo line.

 Tap Card

You can purchase a tap card for 2$ at any station. This card is REUSEABLE to save yourself 2$ each time by hanging onto this card and reloading it. Alternatively, you can apply for a Student Tap card at the Metro website. You just need to fill out a form, send in proof of enrollment, and submit a picture. While there aren’t any discounts for using Metro Rail, you can get discounted rates for taking the city buses with your student card.

Loading your Tap Card

You can load your tap card at the card stations located at or near every station. Simply tap your card and select “Stored Value” to add money to your card. I always keep at least 10$ on my card but if you’re just going somewhere and coming back, you can load the round-trip fare of $3.50.

How to Board

Get your tap card, tap your card at the station, wait for Metro, board, get off! It’s that simple. While none of the stations around USC have a gate to pass through to get to the waiting area, be sure to tap every time. There are not only cameras at the stations, but there are also security personnel located at random stations to check that you tapped your card before you boarded. If you get caught without having paid the fare, you could get fined up to 500$ so be sure to tap!

How to Track the Metro

The hardest part of taking public transportation is its reliability. In general, there’s a Metro every ten minutes but as with all public transportation, things happen, and it can be delayed or early. I recommend downloading the Transit app which gives real-time information on when the next Metro headed your direction will arrive and give you a reliable ETA. Google Maps also has predictions but since Transit partners directly with Metro as well as all the LA public transportation providers, I find that it’s a lot more accurate.

How to get from A to B

Either use Transit, Google Maps, or a good old’ actual paper map to plan your journey before you board. Most phone maps have capabilities to tell you what station to get off at as well as how many stops you have left to go. The Metro will announce and display the next stop before arriving at the Station so be sure to listen up and be aware of your surroundings if you’re traveling without assisted navigation.

FAQs

Is it safe?

Yes! I take the metro at least four times every week and I have never once felt unsafe or threatened. Yes, it’s not exactly an UberXL where you get all the space and luxury you wish but it’s cost effective and efficient! If on the odd chance you do feel unsafe, each Metro cart is equipped with an emergency phone so you can contact the driver and security personnel. Alternatively, if you encounter someone who might be a bother, if so, just get off at the next station, and switch carts.

Is it efficient?

Yes! It often can be faster to take the Metro than drive – especially at rush hour – simply because the Metro has right of way at all lights/streets.

Is it crowded?

Unfortunately, there’s no consistently true answer to this one. It all depends on timing. If you’re metroing during rush hour yeah… it’ll be crowded, and you may need to stand but it’s never near as crowded as public transport in other countries with a more streamlined rail service e.g. China/Japan. Personally, in the hours I normally metro (weekdays at 3pm and weekends) there are more than enough open seats. Be aware of local events, because on home games for the LA RAMs or other big conventions, the Metro will be extra crowded and may move slower than usual (due to the increased traffic into and out of the metro per stop).

How often do they come?

There should be a Metro going your direction every ten minutes but there are delays. For real-time tracking get Transit and enter where you’re headed

When do they run?

The expo line operates from 4:30AM to 2AM on weekdays and from 4:30AM to 2:30AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Where does it go?

The Metro Expo line runs from 7th St DTLA (the heart of DTLA) all the way to downtown Santa Monica (pier, promenade, mall, Main St) with 3 stops around USC. There is generally a metro stop every mile along the way. It runs mainly on Exposition Blvd; hence the name Metro EXPO line.

Can I bring my bike?

Yes! You can metro with bikes, just be sure to enter through the doors marked with yellow decals so you get onto a cart with spaces designated for bikes and you don’t block the aisles. All the metro stops also have bike lock stations where you can park and lock your bike.

Some Cool Places to Check out right Near the Metro Stops

Downtown Santa Monica

The last stop of the Metro. If you’re headed to the pier, promenade, or Main Street you literally can’t go wrong. Get on the metro heading westbound towards (Surprise!) Santa Monica and get off at the least stop (literally can’t miss it).

Bergamot Station Art Galleries

Head westbound to Santa Monica and get off at 26th Street Bergamot Station. Once you get off, you’ll see a bunch of warehouses that are art galleries. Whether you’re going to fulfill a Museum extra credit for an art appreciation class, looking for good date ideas, or simply want to support local LA artists, this is a fun day trip. The best part is – all the galleries are free!

Sawtelle

Heading Westbound to Sepulveda Station, you’ll get to West LA’s “Japantown”: Sawtelle. While this is a bit of a walk from the station, it’s definitely worth it. Foodie? Japanese culture lover? Love to sing and want to have a karaoke night with your suitemates? Sawtelle has it all. From revolving sushi at Kura to cute plushies at Tokyo Outlet, this is the less touristy but just as worthwhile Little Tokyo. If you do make a pit stop here, check out Millet and try a Crème Brulee crepe! I would also recommend grabbing some boba from Volcano tea – they have so many fun flavors and customization options!

Culver City Station

Go Westbound until you get to Culver City Station. Right across the street from the Metro stop is a little plaza named Platform (after the metro platform) with an AMAZING ice-cream store and some cute boutiques. This is a great date night and a fun time for anyone looking to try some unique and delicious flavors.

Final Thoughts

Since I commute to and from Santa Monica for work every week, the Metro is one of the public amenities I appreciate most. It honestly can be so much faster than trying to drive to and from USC to Santa Monica or DTLA as the Metro has right of way in traffic. It always upsets me when I see other people not tapping their cards before boarding the Metro because it renders such a wonderful service. If you have the means to, support the Metro system. You hear a lot of complaints about the LA public transportation system but unless it gets funding, it can’t improve. While the Metro may not be perfect, it is one of the best means of public transit. To keep prices low AND to further improve Metro services, it would be wonderful if you could all load and Tap each time! (:

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