Council Passes Red Line Motion, Metro Board Next Step

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The push to extend hours of operation on the Red Line to 3am this holiday season took another small step forward today, as Council passed a motion asking Metro to consider the program and calling for a taskforce to be put together to raise necessary funding. Council president Eric Garcetti praised the motion, saying that “I think for a lot of Angelenos, they don’t know the incredible tool we have under our feet.”

In order to move forward, the project must next be approved by Metro’s board. Project backers hope to get the item on that body’s agenda for September 25.

The program would extend service on the Red Line from 1am to 3am on Friday and Saturday nights during the holiday season (November - December). Thursday nights had originally been included in the concept, but the realities of fundraising and Metro’s desire to keep their maintenance window will most likely limit how the program moves forward.

Councilman Jose Huizar stated that his office has received commitments for $50,000 toward the program, which would likely cost $90,000 - $100,000. The program would be funded by businesses and property owners in Hollywood and Downtown.