LA Metro’s ‘Ride with Pride’ 2023

The transit system’s Pride TAP cards are available at Metro Customer Centers and TVM’s supporting Pride event

By ROB WATSON

LOS ANGELES - LA Metro, the official Transit Partner of LA Pride, is back again for its 2 th year, this year Metro plans to celebrate Pride all month with its very own Ride with Pride campaign.

Last Friday, June 2 the transit system rolled out its Pride TAP cards which are available at Metro Customer Centers and TVM’s supporting Pride events. Metro reminds Pride attendees they can avoid traffic, street closures, and overpriced parking with Go Metro to LA Pride events. Parking is only payable on the spot, at any of the numerous Park Ride lots adjacent to Metro stations and every rail line has parking.

Just in time for Pride Month, LA Metro also announced it will officially open the Regional Connector transit project to the public on June 16.

The ambitious, complex project, which began in 201 , is unique among rail projects in the United States. The 1. miles of new track laid for the project will allow light rail trains to travel between Union Station and the busy 7th Street Metro Center Station in Downtown’s Financial District. Before the Regional Connector, that’s a journey only Metro’s heavy rail lines could make. Bridging this gap allows Metro to merge the hook-shaped L Gold line with the A Blue and E Expo lines, creating two serpent-like train lines where there were once three. The Regional Connector includes three new underground stations:

Little Tokyo/Arts District Station where riders will have easy access to historically rich and vibrant neighborhoods and cultural institutions.

Historic Broadway Station features two nationally registered districts: the Broadway Theater District, with 12 original theaters within seven blocks and Old Spring Street, known as the original Financial District of Downtown Los Angeles.

Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill Station connects riders to downtown’s performing arts institutions, museums, fine dining experiences and more.

These new stations will transform the way many riders can experience the Metro sys- tem, providing riders with a seamless, one-seat journey from as far as Azusa to Long Beach and from East L.A. to Santa Monica with no transfers required.

To mark this historic milestone, Metro will provide free rides on the entire Metro transit system including Metro bus and rail lines as well as Metro Bike Share services, during opening weekend. Metro encourages Angelenos and visitors alike to rediscover downtown and explore the fun, food, shopping, and cultural landmarks now accessible via the three stations on Regional Connector line and beyond.

Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net, facebook. com losangelesmetro, twitter.com metrolosangeles and twitter.com metroLAalerts and instagram.com metrolosangeles.