# Metro Rapid

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 1⁄2 mile (800 m) 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.$^{:4}$ 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.$^{:9}$
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 30 miles (48 km) of new bus lanes across Los Angeles, a feature notably absent from the Metro Rapid system since its introduction.
As of 2024, 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

| Route | Terminals | Terminals | via | Days of Operation | Notes |
| 720 | Santa Monica Downtown Santa Monica station | Downtown LA 6th & Central | Wilshire Bl | Daily (Mon-Fri: 4:30a-1a; Sat/Sun: 5a-1a) | Service began June 2000, part of the initial pilot program Operates alongside Line 20, which is extended to Santa Monica when Line 720 is not in service during the night |
| 720 | Westwood Wilshire Bl & Westwood Bl | Downtown LA 6th & Central | Wilshire Bl | Daily (Mon-Fri: 4:30a-1a; Sat/Sun: 5a-1a) | Service began June 2000, part of the initial pilot program Operates alongside Line 20, which is extended to Santa Monica when Line 720 is not in service during the night |
| 754 | East Hollywood Vermont Av & Hollywood Bl | Athens Vermont Av & 120th St | Vermont Av | Daily (Mon-Fri: 5a-9:30p; Sa: 6a-9:15p; Su: 6a-8:30p) | Service began December 2002 Operates alongside Line 204 |
| 761 | Sylmar Sylmar/San Fernando station | West LA Expo/Sepulveda station | Van Nuys Bl, Sepulveda Bl | Daily (6a-9p) | Operates alongside Line 233, which is extended to West LA when Line 761 is not in operation for the night |

### Rapid routes operated by other agencies

| Route | Terminals | Terminals | via | Days of Operation | Notes |
| Big Blue Bus Rapid 3 | Santa Monica 4th St & Wilshire Bl | Westchester Aviation/LAX station | Lincoln Bl | Weekday peak hours (6a-9a, 1p-7p) | Operates alongside Big Blue Bus Line 3 |
| Big Blue Bus Rapid 7 | Santa Monica Broadway & 5th St | Koreatown Wilshire/Western Station | Pico Bl | Weekdays (6a-7:30p) | Operates alongside Big Blue Bus Line 7 |
| Big Blue Bus Rapid 10 | Santa Monica 2nd St & Colorado Av | Downtown LA Main St & Alameda St | Santa Monica Bl, Bundy Dr, I-10, Grand Av/Olive St, Figueroa St/Flower St, Temple St | Weekday 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 rush |
| Big Blue Bus Rapid 12 | Westwood UCLA Gateway Plaza | Palms Overland Av & Venice Bl | Westwood Bl, Overland Av | Daily (M-F: 5:30a-11:00p; Sa/Su: 6:30a-11:00p) | |
| Culver CityBus Rapid 6 | Westwood UCLA Gateway Plaza | Westchester LAX/Metro Transit Center | Sepulveda Bl | Weekdays (5:50a-9:57a; 2:20p-7:35p) | Operates alongside Culver CityBus Line 6 |
| Torrance Transit Rapid 3 | Torrance Mary K. Giordano Regional Transit Center | Long Beach Downtown Long Beach Station | Carson St, Avalon Bl, Pacific Coast Hwy | Weekdays (6:05a-10:20a; 2:15p-7:40p) | Operates alongside Torrance Transit Line 3 |

### Former routes

| Route | Terminals | Terminals | via | Notes/History |
| 704 | Santa Monica 2nd St & Santa Monica Blvd | Downtown LA Union Station | Santa Monica Bl | Service began June 2007, replaced Line 304 and operated alongside Line 4 Discontinued in September 2021, as part of Phase 2.5 of the NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by an increased service for Line 4 which was extended to Santa Monica from West LA all-day replacing Line 704. However, Line 704 leg to Union Station was discontinued. |
| 705 | West Hollywood West Hollywood Library | Vernon Vernon Av & Santa Fe Av | La Cienega Bl, Vernon Av | Service began June 2004 and operated alongside Line 105. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by an increased service for Line 105. |
| 710 | Koreatown, Los Angeles Wilshire/Western Station | Redondo Beach South Bay Galleria | Crenshaw 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. |
| 711 | Inglewood Inglewood Transit Center | Bell Gardens Florence Av & Garfield Av | Florence Av | Began 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. |
| 714 | Beverly Hills Santa Monica Bl & Canon Dr | Downtown LA Grand/LATTC station | Beverly Bl | Originally operated daily before the service cut to only on weekday peak hours. Discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership. Replaced by an increased service for Line 14. |
| 715 | Westchester, Los Angeles LAX City Bus Center | Downey Downey Depot Transportation Center | Manchester Bl, Manchester Av, Firestone Bl | Began 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. |
| 715 | Inglewood Inglewood Transit Center | Downey Downey Depot Transportation Center | Manchester Bl, Manchester Av, Firestone Bl | Began 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. |
| 717 | Hollywood Hollywood/Vine station | Culver City West Los Angeles Transit Center | Hollywood Bl, Fairfax Av | Began 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. |
| 724 | Sylmar, Los Angeles Sylmar/San Fernando Station | North Hollywood, Los Angeles North Hollywood station | San Fernando Rd, Lankershim Bl | Began 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. While Line 224 increased service on Lankershim Bl. |
| 728 | Century City, Los Angeles Constellation Bl & Century Park W | Downtown LA Union Station | Olympic Bl | Began 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. |
| 730 | Mid-City, Los Angeles Pico/Rimpau Transit Center | Little Tokyo Little Tokyo/Arts District station | Pico Bl | Began operating in June 2008, replaced Local Limited Line 330. 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. |
| 733 | Santa Monica 2nd St & Santa Monica Blvd | Downtown LA Union Station | Venice Blvd | 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 service for Line 33 which was extended to Santa Monica from Westwood, and from Downtown LA to Union Station all-day replacing Line 733. |
| 734 | Sylmar, Los Angeles Sylmar/San Fernando station | West LA Expo/Sepulveda station | Sepulveda Bl | Began June 2006, operated alongside Line 234 (which replaced service everyday during late evenings and early mornings and all day on weekends). Discontinued in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Service between Ventura Bl and Sylmar Station is replaced by a higher frequency Line 234. Service south of Ventura Bl is replaced by Line 761. |
| 740 | Jefferson Park, Los Angeles Expo/Crenshaw station | Redondo Beach South Bay Galleria | Crenshaw Bl, Hawthorne Bl | Began December 2004, replaced Line 340 and operated alongside Line 40. Originally ran into Union Station via Martin Luther King Bl and Broadway until it was relocated to Expo/Crenshaw Station in June 2012. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan, replaced by a higher frequency of Line 40 with the exception of Expo/Crenshaw leg. |
| 741 | Northridge Reseda Blvd & Devonshire St | Tarzana Ventura Bl & Reseda Bl | Reseda Bl | Began operating in December 2006. Was one of the shortest Rapid Lines in the system. Replaced by Line 744 in December 2014 which later was discontinued in June 2021 in favor of more frequent Line 240 service. |
| 744 | Pacoima Van Nuys Bl & Glenoaks Bl | Northridge Reseda Bl & Devonshire St (weekdays only) | Van Nuys Bl, Ventura Bl, Reseda Bl | Began December 2014, replaced Lines 741 and 761. It operated alongside Lines 233 and 240 This line and Line 788 were the last Rapid Lines ever released as a new number line. Discontinued on June 27, 2021, due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Service west on Ventura and Sepulveda Bls was replaced by a higher frequency of Line 240. Service on Van Nuys Bls was reverted to Line 761, except the northern terminal was relocated to Sylmar instead of Pacoima. |
| 744 | Pacoima Van Nuys Bl & Glenoaks Bl | Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles Sherman Oaks Galleria | Van Nuys Bl, Ventura Bl, Reseda Bl | Began December 2014, replaced Lines 741 and 761. It operated alongside Lines 233 and 240 This line and Line 788 were the last Rapid Lines ever released as a new number line. Discontinued on June 27, 2021, due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Service west on Ventura and Sepulveda Bls was replaced by a higher frequency of Line 240. Service on Van Nuys Bls was reverted to Line 761, except the northern terminal was relocated to Sylmar instead of Pacoima. |
| 745 | Downtown LA Union Station | South LA Harbor Freeway station | Broadway | Began December 2002, replaced Line 345 and operated alongside Line 45. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan, replaced by a higher frequency of Line 45 with the exception of the deviation to Union Station. |
| 750 | Canoga Park, Los Angeles Canoga station | Studio City, Los Angeles Universal City/Studio City station | Ventura Bl | Began June 2000, one of the two original routes, operated alongside Line 150 Originally operated daily until it was reduced to a weekday-only route in December 2010. Discontinued in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by a higher frequency of Line 150 west of Reseda Bl and higher frequency of Line 240 east of Reseda Bl. |
| 751 | Cypress Park, Los Angeles Av 28 & Idell St | Huntington Park Palm Pl & Seville Av | Av 26, Daly St, Soto St | Began June 2004, replaced Line 350 and operated alongside Line 251. Originally ran far to Lynwood Station on weekdays only until it was shortened to Palm / Seville in June 2007 to lower the overlap for Line 760 which was being implemented at the same time. Originally had a Saturday service until it was discontinued in June 2011 due to low ridership. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan, replaced by a higher frequency of Line 251. |
| 753 | Downtown LA 5th St & Beaudry Av | Willowbrook Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station | Central Av | Began operating in June 2008, replaced Local Limited Line 350. Discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership, replaced by a higher frequency of Line 53. In December 2021, Line 53 was rerouted to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station, marking the first time since Line 753's discontinuation to have service from Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station to the Central Av corridor. |
| 757 | East Hollywood, Los Angeles Hollywood/Western station | Hawthorne Crenshaw station | Western Av | Began December 2005, replaced Line 357 and operated alongside Line 207 Originally operated 7 days a week until its weekend service was discontinued in June 2011 due to lack of time travel savings. Discontinued in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by a higher frequency of Line 207 which was extended to Crenshaw Station all-day to replace Line 757's segement. |
| 760 | Downtown LA 5th St & Beaudry Av | Lynwood Lynwood station | Santa Fe Av, Pacific Bl, Long Beach Bl | Began June 2007, replaced Line 360 and operated alongside Line 60. Used to run as far south to Artesia A Line Station and operated daily until it was shortened to its present terminal and discontinued its Sunday service in June 2011 due to lack of time travel savings. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan, replaced by a higher frequency of Line 60. |
| 762 | Pasadena Fair Oaks Av & Colorado Bl | Compton Artesia station | Fair Oaks Av, Atlantic Bl | Began June 2008, replaced Line 361 and operated alongside Line 260. Originally had a Saturday service until it was discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan, replaced by a higher frequency of Line 260 & new Line 261. In December 2024, Line 260 was rerouted to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks A & C Line Station, The remainder of Line 260 south of Imperial Hwy to Artesia A Line Station was renumbered Metro Local Line 261. |
| 762 | Pasadena Fair Oaks Av & Colorado Bl | Lynwood Imperial Hwy & Atlantic Bl | Fair Oaks Av, Atlantic Bl | Began June 2008, replaced Line 361 and operated alongside Line 260. Originally had a Saturday service until it was discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan, replaced by a higher frequency of Line 260 & new Line 261. In December 2024, Line 260 was rerouted to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks A & C Line Station, The remainder of Line 260 south of Imperial Hwy to Artesia A Line Station was renumbered Metro Local Line 261. |
| 770 | Downtown LA Broadway & Venice Bl | El Monte El Monte Station | Cesar E. Chavez Av, Garvey Av | Began December 2007, replaced Lines 368 and 370 and operated alongside Lines 68 and 70 Saturday service was added in June 2008 until was it was discontinued in April 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discontinued in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by a higher frequency of the rerouted Line 70 which now follows the path of the former Line 770. |
| 780 | Pasadena Pasadena City College | Culver City West Los Angeles Transit Center | Colorado Bl, Hollywood Bl, Fairfax Av | Began operating in December 2004 Replaced 380 in June 2005 to have a western terminus at Hollywood/Highland Station and combined it with the 717 in June 2006 to extend to its current western terminus at West Los Angeles Transit Center. Weekend service was added between Pasadena and Hollywood in June 2008, until it was discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership. Operated alongside Lines 180, 181 and 217 Discontinued in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by a higher frequency of the newly rerouted Line 180 from Hollywood/Vine to Pasadena City College, and a higher frequency of Line 217 which is now extended east to Eagle Rock Plaza. |
| 788 | Arleta Van Nuys Bl & Woodman Av | West LA Expo/Sepulveda station | Van Nuys Blvd, Interstate 405 | Began December 2014 Closed-door along the San Fernando Valley for northbound service and Westwood for southbound service. Also known as "Valley - Westside Express" Was the only Rapid-Express Line that ever ran on a freeway. This Line and Line 744 were the last Rapid Lines ever released as a new number line. Was suspended in June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic until it was discontinued permanently in June 2021 due to the NextGen Bus Plan. Alternatives to this line include the resurrected Line 761 on Van Nuys and Sepulveda Bls from Arleta to West LA. |
| 794 | Sylmar, Los Angeles Sylmar/San Fernando Station | Downtown LA Hill St & Venice Bl | San Fernando Rd | Began June 2008, replaced Line 394 and operated alongside Lines 94 and 224 Was extended to Sylmar Station in June 2009 replacing Line 724 segment on San Fernando Rd and weekend service was added. Weekend service was discontinued in June 2012 due to a lack of travel time savings. Discontinued in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by a higher frequency of Line 94 from Burbank to Downtown LA, and a new Line 294 from Burbank to Sylmar. |
| 920 | Santa Monica Colorado Av & Ocean Av | Koreatown, Los Angeles Wilshire/Vermont station | Wilshire Bl | Began operating in June 2007 Former Rapid Express Line counterpart for Line 720. Operated during weekday peak hours Discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership, although riders have advocated improvements, during the service's short life. Replaced by an increased service for Line 720. |
| 920 | Westwood, Los Angeles Wilshire Bl & Westwood Bl | Koreatown, Los Angeles Wilshire/Vermont station | Wilshire Bl | Began operating in June 2007 Former Rapid Express Line counterpart for Line 720. Operated during weekday peak hours Discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership, although riders have advocated improvements, during the service's short life. Replaced by an increased service for Line 720. |
| 940 | Downtown LA Union Station | Torrance Del Amo Fashion Center | Martin Luther King Jr. Bl, Crenshaw Bl, La Brea Av, Hawthorne Bl | Began operating in June 2007 Former Rapid Express Line counterpart for Line 740. Operated during weekday peak hours in peak directions Briefly operated to Del Amo Fahsion Center from December 2007 until it was discontinued. Discontinued in June 2008 due to low ridership, although riders have advocated improvements , during the service's short life. Replaced by an increased service for Line 740 which later was discontinued in December 2020. |