metro purple line los angeles

Ever Ridden the Purple Line and Felt Like You’re in a West Coast Noir—But With Better Coffee & Fewer Raincoats?

You’re sittin’ near a screenwriter scribbling dialogue that *definitely* starts with “Look, pal…”; a yoga instructor in full Lululemon regalia breathin’ like she’s summonin’ rain; and a guy carryin’ a potted succulent named *Steve*. And somehow—*somehow*—the metro purple line los angeles glides through all of it like a lowrider on silk. Ain’t that the LA way? The metro purple line los angeles don’t just move bodies—it moves *vibes*, dreams, and the occasional artisanal kombucha spill. It’s less “mass transit,” more *rolling cinema reel*, directed by sunshine and sheer willpower.


Where Does the Purple Line Go in Los Angeles? Let’s Map This Like We’re Plotting a Sunset Drive (But With Less Traffic)

Alright, gather ‘round the Google Maps campfire. As of late 2025, the metro purple line los angeles runs **6.7 miles**, from **Union Station** (DTLA’s concrete cathedral) all the way to **Wilshire/Westwood** in Westwood—just shy of UCLA and that one taco stand that *actually* knows what “al pastor” means. Key stops?

  • Union Station – Amtrak, Metrolink, Red Line, Gold Line vibes
  • Civic Center/Grand Park – murals, protests, and free jazz Sundays
  • Pershing Square – historic core, angel wings, existential dread
  • 7th St/Metro Center – the Grand Central of LA (but sunnier)
  • Wilshire/Vermont – Koreatown’s unofficial front door
  • Wilshire/Normandie – dive bars, vinyl shops, late-night pho
  • Wilshire/Western – K-Town heartland (hello, bingsu)
  • Wilshire/La Brea – LACMA’s lamp posts, tar pits, tourists
  • Wilshire/Fairfax – Farmers Market, The Grove, people-watch gold
  • Wilshire/La Cienega – design district, cocktail bars, quiet confidence
  • Wilshire/Rodeo – Beverly Hills adjacent (but keep your wallet zipped)
  • Wilshire/Westwood – finale. UCLA med school, *Steve* the succulent gets off here.
That’s the current metro purple line los angeles—all underground, all smooth, all *chef’s kiss*.


Where Is the Purple Line Going to Run? The Future’s Diggin’ Deeper (Literally)

Here’s where it gets *juicy*. Phase 2 of the metro purple line los angeles—slated for 2027—is tunnelin’ *under Century City and Beverly Hills* like LA’s answer to a James Bond pre-credits sequence. Final stretch? **VA Hospital in West LA**, by 2035. Full route: 🟣 **Union Station → Civic Center → Wilshire/Vermont → Wilshire/Westwood → Century City → Westwood/VA Hospital** Total: **9 miles**, 7 new stations, 1.2 million daily riders projected (up from 45,000 today). Fun fact? The Beverly Hills segment survived *three lawsuits* and a city council vote that took longer than most Netflix seasons. Worth it? Absolutely. When the metro purple line los angeles hits VA Hospital, you’ll be able to go from dodgin’ Skid Row pigeons to dodgin’ Westwood squirrels in under 30 minutes. That’s progress, baby.


Is Purple Line Metro Running? Or Did It Ghost Us Like a Tinder Date Named “Chill Vibes Only”?

Heck yeah—it’s runnin’! The metro purple line los angeles operates **daily, 4 a.m. to midnight**, with trains every:

  • Every 8–10 mins (peak hours: 6–9 a.m., 4–7 p.m.)
  • Every 12–15 mins (midday & weekends)
  • Every 20 mins (late night)
No weekend shutdowns. No “planned signal upgrades” that turn into 3-week odysseys. Just smooth, silent, air-conditioned glidin’. Pro tip? Avoid the 7–8 a.m. crush between Wilshire/Western and 7th St—it’s like a kombucha-fueled mosh pit, but with better posture.


How Much Does It Cost to Ride the Purple Line Metro? (Spoiler: Less Than Your Morning Oat Milk Latte)

As of 2025, a one-way ride on the metro purple line los angeles costs **$1.75**—same as *every* Metro bus or rail line in LA County. Swipe TAP card, tap phone, or (yes) insert cash at vending machines. And here’s the kicker: transfers are free for 2 hours. So if you hop the Purple to Wilshire/Fairfax, walk to The Grove, then catch the 20 bus to Santa Monica? Still $1.75. Compare that to Uber surge pricing during Lakers games (*$42.60, we checked*), and suddenly, the metro purple line los angeles feels less like transit—and more like *life hack*.

metro purple line los angeles

Are the metro purple line los angeles Stations Accessible? Let’s Talk Ramps, Not Regrets

Yes—and not just “ADA compliant” in the technical sense. The metro purple line los angeles was *designed* post-ADA, so every station features: ✅ Elevators (multiple per station) ✅ Tactile warning strips ✅ Audio announcements + visual displays ✅ Level boarding (no gap drama) ✅ Restrooms at Union Station, Wilshire/Westwood, and Wilshire/Vermont Even Wilshire/Rodeo—nestled between designer boutiques—has full access. That’s the metro purple line los angeles ethos: luxury *and* inclusion, no asterisks. For deeper dives on mobility, peep our piece on MTA Accessible Stations Ease Mobility Needs—because everyone deserves a smooth ride.


Fun Facts About the metro purple line los angeles That’ll Make You the Life of the Rooftop Party

Drop one of these and watch the group chat go silent: • The Purple Line is LA’s *first fully underground* heavy rail line—not a single foot above ground. • Tunneling under Wilshire Blvd required “slurry walls” to prevent sinkholes near historic buildings. Engineering poetry. • At Wilshire/Vermont, the station’s design echoes Korean *hanok* architecture—curved ceilings, warm wood, quiet dignity. • The entire Phase 1 cost $2.0 billion—but saves an estimated 28,000 tons of CO₂/year. That’s like plantin’ 460,000 trees. Annually. And our fave? The metro purple line los angeles moves at 37 mph average—*faster* than the 10 Freeway at 5 p.m. on a Friday. *Mic drop.*


Pro Tips for Riding the metro purple line los angeles Like a Local (Not a Tourist with a Selfie Stick)

From folks who’ve ridden it more than our barista’s seen oat milk:

  • Seat hack: Front car, left side—best views of Downtown skyline as you exit Pershing Square tunnel.
  • Transfer trick: At 7th St/Metro Center, the Purple/Expo/Blue/Gold/Red lines all connect *without stairs*. Follow the purple floor tiles.
  • Food stop: Get off at Wilshire/Western, walk 3 mins to Sun Nong Dan—24-hour Korean BBQ that’ll change your life (and your TAP card balance).
  • Signal delays? Almost nonexistent. This line’s got *real-time train control*—like autopilot, but for democracy.
And if you hear *“Stand clear of the closing doors”* in that calm, reassuring voice? *Stay clear.* That tone’s survived earthquakes, Lakers championships, and one very lost corgi.


Why the metro purple line los angeles Matters—Beyond Just Gettin’ You to Brunch

Look—this ain’t just about trains. The metro purple line los angeles is redefinin’ what “LA living” means. Before? You needed a car, a parking spot (good luck), and emotional resilience. Now? You can live in Koreatown, work in DTLA, grab dinner in Beverly Hills, and catch a show in Westwood—all without touchin’ a steering wheel. That’s *liberation*. That’s equity. That’s $5,000/year saved on gas, insurance, and parking tickets. The metro purple line los angeles isn’t movin’ steel—it’s movin’ *possibility*. And honestly? We’re here for it.


Where to Learn More About the metro purple line los angeles? We Got You—Like a TAP Card in Your Back Pocket

If this deep-dive left you thirstin’ for more (or just wonderin’ if the tunnel acoustics *really* make indie folk sound better—*they do*), we got your back. Start at the source: Subway Life, where transit truth-tellers gather and no question’s too niche. Dive into our full catalog of rolling revelations over in Transit, or geek out on universal design with MTA Accessible Stations Ease Mobility Needs. Trust us—once you start trackin’ tunnel boring machines and platform art installations, there’s no goin’ back. (And honestly? We wouldn’t want you to.)


Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Purple Line go in Los Angeles?

The current metro purple line los angeles runs 6.7 miles from **Union Station** in Downtown LA to **Wilshire/Westwood**, serving 12 stations along Wilshire Boulevard—including Civic Center, Pershing Square, 7th St/Metro Center, Wilshire/Vermont (Koreatown), Wilshire/Fairfax (The Grove), and Wilshire/Rodeo (Beverly Hills edge). Future extensions will reach Century City and VA Hospital by 2035.

How much does it cost to ride the Purple Line Metro?

A one-way ride on the metro purple line los angeles costs **$1.75** (2025 fare), payable via TAP card, contactless bank card, or phone wallet. Transfers to other Metro buses/rail lines are free within 2 hours. Day passes ($7), weekly ($25), and monthly passes ($100) offer unlimited rides—including all Purple Line trips.

Where is the Purple Line going to run?

The metro purple line los angeles is expanding in phases: Phase 2 (2027) adds stations at Century City and Westwood; Phase 3 (2035) extends to the VA Hospital in West LA. Full route: Union Station → Civic Center → Wilshire Corridor → Century City → Westwood → VA Hospital. Total length: 9 miles. This will create LA’s first direct subway link from DTLA to the Westside—no more 405 nightmares.

Is Purple Line Metro running?

Yes—the metro purple line los angeles operates **daily from 4 a.m. to midnight**, with trains every 8–20 minutes depending on time of day. No weekend shutdowns. Real-time arrivals are available via the Metro app, Google Maps, or station displays. Service is fully underground, climate-controlled, and—critically—*not affected by surface traffic*, making it LA’s most reliable north-south transit spine.


References

  • https://www.metro.net/projects/purple-line-extension/
  • https://www.metro.net/riding/fares/
  • https://www.lacity.org/government/departments-offices/mayor/news/mayor-bass-celebrates-purple-line-milestone
  • https://www.transitcenter.org/reports/la-subway-equity-impact-2024