Category Archives: service updates

service updates

Phoenix Valley Metro opens South Broadway light rail extension

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On June 7th, Valley Metro opened the South Central Extension to the public. This project extends the light rail system southward for 5 miles, from Downtown Phoenix to Baseline Road, with 7 new stations. It also transformed the single-line light rail system into a two-line system, featuring a transfer point in Downtown.

The A Line operates from Downtown to Tempe and Mesa, while the B Line covers stations north of Downtown to Metro Gateway, as well as the new stations on the South Broadway extension. The “Downtown Phoenix Hub” transfer point features 4 platforms on a single city block, allowing riders to cross streets from one platform to another for transfers.

service updates, Southern California

LA Metro temporarily suspends D Line in preparation for its westward extension

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In preparation for a three-station extension of the D Line from Wilshire/Western to Wilshire/La Cienega, planned to open at the end of this year, Metro is temporarily suspending D Line service from May 17 to July 25 to connect the train control and power systems of the new extension to the existing lines.

The B Line will continue to operate, serving all stops with trains every 8 minutes during the weekday instead of every 12 minutes. As a result, the only stations without train service will be Wilshire/Normandie and Wilshire/Western.

To travel between Wilshire/Vermont and Wilshire/Western, Metro will operate a shuttle bus (Line 855) covering the affected stops. Riders can also take Metro bus 20 and Metro Rapid 720 between Downtown LA and Wilshire/Western. For those transferring to bus 20 or 720, simply board or exit at Wilshire/Vermont.

The D Line extension is expected to transform transit travel in the region following the opening of the Regional Connector in 2023. Wilshire is one of the main transit corridors in Los Angeles. With the D Line operating completely separated from traffic, it will significantly reduce travel time compared to buses in mixed traffic. This three-station extension to Wilshire/La Cienega is the first phase of three extensions. The second phase will extend the line to Century City, and the final phase will extend to Westwood/VA Hospital near I-405. They are planned to open in 2026 and 2027, respectively, before the 2028 Olympics.

Diagram of D Line closure and alternate bus service by lines 20, 720, 855.
Source: Metro

service updates

Sound Transit opens 2 new Link stations in Redmond

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On May 10 at noon, Sound Transit opened the Link 2 Line extension to Downtown Redmond, featuring two new stations: Downtown Redmond and Marymoor Village. With this new segment, riders can travel by rail between the downtowns of Redmond and Bellevue.

The first segment of Line 2 opened last year between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology Station, near the Microsoft headquarters. The final segment, yet to be completed, will connect Bellevue with Downtown Seattle across Lake Washington.

service updates, Southern California

Six-week closure of tracks in Southern Orange County

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Beginning Monday, April 28, for about six weeks, Metrolink and Amtrak trains will not operate through the San Clemente area due to emergency construction work to protect the rail line from coastal erosion and landslides. Metrolink trains will terminate at Laguna Niguel, with no bus bridge covering the route to Oceanside. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service from LA and points north will terminate at San Juan Capistrano. A bus bridge will take riders from Irvine to Oceanside, where the Pacific Surfliner trains will operate from there to San Diego. The Amtrak bus bridge requires reservations.

Previous weather events triggered landslides that caused lengthy closures to the track in the San Clemente area.

service updates

Sacramento RT to introduce contactless card payments

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On April 1, 2025, Sacramento RT will launch phase 1 of the Tap2Ride program. New readers will enable fare payments with contactless debit/credit cards or mobile wallets, without needing to download apps or purchase dedicated transit fare cards. On buses, riders can tap their cards or mobile devices when boarding, and transfer privileges will be automatically granted between buses. During phase 1, contactless payments are accepted at light rail ticket machines, but transfer privileges are not available when transferring from buses with contactless payments. Later this year, additional Tap2Ride readers will be installed on light rail platforms to allow transfers.

Senior discounts can be applied to payment cards by signing up online at the Cal-ITP site, with no need for an in-person visit. Eligibility is verified through login.gov and the Social Security Administration.

The Tap2Ride program is part of the California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP) initiative to introduce open contactless payments to transit agencies outside the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, which have their own regional transit fare card programs.

Sacramento RT also offers a Connect Card regional contactless fare card and the ZipPass mobile app for fare payment. Some fare discounts (for students and disabilities) still require in-person verification with the transit agency. While riders aged 62 or older can pay the senior fare on Sacramento RT, the Tap2RIDE program adheres to the state and federal qualification age of 65.