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Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority Nov. 26 added 145-passenger capacity to its Blue Line by adding a third car to some of its trips.



The line debuted in 1990, but had reached its capacity limit by 2000. Last August, average weekday boardings reached a record 69,400 passengers.



About 16 months ago, MTA began expanding platforms at 19 stations to accommodate three-car trains along the 22-mile route that primarily serves minorities and low-income passengers. The expansion project cost $11 million.



"We worked a long time to get this," said L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke in a prepared statement.



The immediate past MTA board chair introduced the motion calling for the expansion in 1999 and led the funding search efforts.



"The Metro Blue Line carries more passengers than any other light-rail line in the nation except Boston, so this is very important to help eliminate crowding," Brathwaite Burke said.