Metro’s ridership in Los Angeles County dropped to its lowest point of the year in June following immigration raids. The transit agency reported approximately 23.7 million riders last month, marking a 13.5% decrease from May. This is the lowest June ridership since 2022, as per Metro data.
The decline coincided with large-scale immigration sweeps that began on June 6. Fear and anxiety among riders, particularly in Latino communities, contributed to the decrease. A 2023 survey showed that over 60% of Metro bus riders and about 50% of rail riders are Latino. Mayor Karen Bass noted that the federal actions led to widespread fear, with people avoiding public transit due to concerns about potential raids.
Despite the overall drop, ridership on the K Line increased, attributed to the opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center. However, other areas saw declines due to station closures during protests, which included vandalism and safety concerns. In El Monte, federal agents were seen questioning patrons, leading to a temporary busway closure. A widely shared video showed masked agents detaining individuals at a Pasadena bus stop, sparking further fear.
Outgoing Metro chair Janice Hahn expressed concerns about the impact of station closures on peaceful protesters. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins acknowledged the fear and anxiety caused by recent events, emphasizing the importance of ensuring community safety and comfort.
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