Following months of steady ridership growth, Metro’s numbers experienced a significant decline in June, reaching the lowest levels of the year amid widespread immigration raids across Los Angeles County.
Metro reported an estimated ridership count of approximately 23.7 million on its bus and rail systems during June, representing a 13.5% drop from May and marking the lowest June figures since 2022, when ridership began rebounding from the pandemic. This decrease coincided with the start of large-scale immigration sweeps that began on June 6.
Despite the overall decline, some segments of the system saw unexpected increases. For instance, weekday ridership on the K Line surged by 28%, while weekend numbers rose dramatically—up by 85% on Saturdays and 72% on Sundays. Metro attributed this growth primarily to the recent opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center.
Several factors contributed to the ridership drop across different portions of the system. Following confrontations where demonstrators breached the A line tracks and vandalized Metro property, several stations were temporarily closed for public safety. The Little Tokyo station, for instance, was closed for up to 12 hours a day for nearly a week due to safety concerns.
In El Monte, the visibility of federal agents questioning Metro station patrons led to the closure of the busway for several days. Metro officials noted that these closures were carried out in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department and the county’s Sheriff’s Department. Robert Gummer, Metro’s deputy chief of security and law enforcement, addressed the board, stating that the protests presented challenges that endangered both customers and employees.
Outgoing Metro chair and L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn voiced her concerns about the consequences of these closures, which she believed impacted peaceful protesters. She expressed that shutting down stations led to confusion and left many individuals unable to leave the area safely.
In addition to the protests, concerns regarding immigration raids also played a role in diminishing ridership, particularly within the Latino community, which makes up a significant portion of Metro’s users. Data from a 2023 Metro survey indicated that over 60% of bus riders and about 50% of rail riders identified as Latino.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass remarked on the heightened anxiety stemming from federal actions, emphasizing that the administration’s provocative measures have fostered widespread fear among the populace. She noted that such fears have caused many to hesitate in using public transit, worrying about the potential for immigration raids while commuting.
County Supervisor Hilda Solis expressed similar sentiments, voicing her hopes that both staff and patrons of the transit system remain safe amid the turbulence. She acknowledged the prevailing atmosphere of fear among the community regarding potential threats to their safety.
An incident in June, where masked agents detained several individuals at a bus stop in Pasadena, further fueled public anxiety. These detentions involved agents who did not identify themselves nor present warrants, leading to questions about the legality of their actions. Videos of the incident circulated widely, raising concerns about the treatment of individuals in custody.
Three of those detained are Pasadena residents who are currently involved in an ACLU lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration concerning unlawful stops and insufficient access to legal representation during immigration enforcement. According to the suit, the detainees endured inhumane conditions, receiving little food and water while being forced to sleep on the floor.
In light of the situation, a federal court recently issued temporary restraining orders against the federal government, which the Trump administration is now seeking to overturn in an appeals court.
Metro has previously celebrated ridership increases after a long decline, marked by a 53% growth over the past four years. During the agency’s recent State of the Agency address, Chief Executive Stephanie Wiggins reported a rise in customer satisfaction to 87%.
The extent to which ridership has rebounded since June’s drop remains uncertain. Wiggins acknowledged the impact of recent events on community sentiment, emphasizing the need for Metro to ensure a sense of safety and comfort among its riders.
In summary, the intersection of immigration enforcement, public safety measures, and community sentiment continues to influence transit patterns and ridership across Los Angeles County.
image source from：latimes
