LOS ANGELES — Despite recent concerns over safety on the transit system, Metro reported Friday an increase in ridership during May compared to the same month last year, with more than 27.1 million boardings on buses and rail lines.

What You Need To Know

  • Weekday ridership for bus and rail during May was at 81.1% of the level it was before the pandemic in May 2019

  • Bus ridership stood at about 21 million rides taken, representing a 9% year-over-year increase over May 2023, and an 87.4% recovery of its May 2019 level, according to Metro

  • Saturday bus ridership was over 2 million, and Sunday bus ridership stood over 2.1 million boardings in May, both increases from the prior month

  • Metro officials said weekend activities in May helped increase ridership on the system, including the Cruel World Music Festival and The Just Like Heaven Music Festival

About 980,865 boardings occurred each weekday, an 8.2% increase over the same period last year, according to Metro. Average weekend ridership saw a 7% increase. Saturday boardings averaged about 2.7 million and Sunday boardings were at about 2.8 million.

Weekday ridership for bus and rail during May was at 81.1% of the level it was before the pandemic in May 2019. Weekend ridership in May reached 95.9% of the pre-pandemic level from May 2019, according to Metro.

In total, rail ridership stood at 5.8 million, with about 4.5 million trips taken on weekdays, representing a 4.5% increase over May 2023. Average ridership on the A (Blue) Line and E (Expo) Line was up by 31% year-over-year when compared to the period before the downtown Regional Connector project was completed, eliminating the need for many riders to transfer between lines.

Bus ridership stood at about 21 million rides taken, representing a 9% year-over-year increase over May 2023, and an 87.4% recovery of its May 2019 level, according to Metro. The transportation agency recorded more than 17 million bus boardings on weekdays in May, up 10.9% over May 2023.

Saturday bus ridership was over 2 million, and Sunday bus ridership stood over 2.1 million boardings in May, both increases from the prior month.

Metro officials said weekend activities in May helped increase ridership on the system, including the Cruel World Music Festival and The Just Like Heaven Music Festival, both at Brookside Park at the Rose Bowl. Other events that boosted ridership included the Keinemusik music festival, Long Beach and West Hollywood Pride festivities, as well as LAFC and Angel City FC soccer matches, and 14 LA Dodger games.

In response to recent public safety concerns, the agency has enacted a three-point plan to focus on keeping employees and riders safe, ensure the system is being used properly, and to partner with cities, the county and regional agencies to address issues such as homelessness, untreated mental illness and substance abuse.