Give Metro a try; you may be surprised

I took a ride on the Los Angeles Metro's Aline train on a recent weekend and it was remarkable both for what happened - the train came on time and delivered me a short stroll from my destination - and for what didn't - no crowds, no trash and no hassles with unruly or threatening riders.

- BY JAMES RAINEY

PEOPLE wait at L.A.'s 7th Street / Metro Center station in 2023.

(MYUNG J. CHUN Los Angeles Times)

Statistics from the transportation agency that runs the region's light rail lines and buses suggest this is more than an anomaly. Violent crime on Metro dropped 6.7% in 2025 compared with 2024. So-called "crimes against society," such as trespassing, drug use and weapons possession, fell more sharply, 33%.

That's good news for a metropolis where too many people insist on driving their cars. It's especially welcome less than three months before World Cup soccer hordes will descend on the city and two-plus years out from an even bigger extravaganza, the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Facing ridership safety issues

Transit systems work best when they are supported by everyone and not just as frequently has been the case in L.A. - the poor and working class. A primary complaint of people at the higher end of the socioeconomic ladder has been that Metro trains and buses don't feel safe.