L.A. Metro logs growing ridership on Gold Line Extension

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (Metro) Gold Line extension is increasing overall ridership by an estimated 5,700 to 6,200 average weekday boardings, the agency announced late last week.

Metro tabulated new customer boardings based on TAP card boarding data, parking occupancy and a preference survey taken at new stations over a three-day period last month, agency officials said in a press release.

The survey found that 71 percent of current Gold Line riders are new to the line. Of those 66 percent are making a trip on transit that they previously made as a solo car driver.

The agency opened the Gold Line extension March 5. Since then, the line has served as a "much-needed relief valve" for local highway traffic, said John Fasana, first vice chair of Metro's board.