Earlier today, Metro unveiled its "More Trains More Often," program for trains on the Red, Purple and Blue lines. Currently, trains are running every 20 minutes after 8:00 P.M., but under the new program trains will run every 10 minutes all the way until midnight. After midnight, service will run every twenty minutes until service suspension at 1:00 A.M. "More Trains More Often" will begin on November 13.
Flanked by city officials and "an array of costumed characters" represeting those who will benefit from the increased service, Los Angeles Mayor (and Metro Board Chair) Antonio Villaraigosa announced the additions to the schedule in front of the Music Center.
To promote the added service, businesses agreed to special promotions for Metro Riders who will already benefit from not having to pay for gasoline or parking for a night out on the town. The additional service is expected to benefit not just riders, but businesses that cater to late night revelers in Downtown Los Angeles, Mid-Town and Hollywood.
"As you and I know, LA doesn’t roll up its sidewalks at sundown. We have a vibrant night life that is growing and MTA is keeping pace," said Villaraigosa. "Many of the most popular venues are directly served by MTA Rail, so running trains more often at night will make it easier for visitors to save money, beat traffic and have a good time."
Via press release, Metro has promised that if the program is succesful, similar late night additions will come to the Gold and Green light rail lines and maybe even the Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit line. At this point, there's no timetable when that service might begin.
Sadly, Metro is branding this service extension "More Trains More Often" and completely ignored the suggestion of The Source writer Fred Camino who April Fooled his readers at Metro Rider in 2008 with an announcement of all-night service on weekends. Camino's "L8 Night" is a lot catchier than "More Trains More Often" and even incorporates the idea that the service increases start at 8:00 P.M.
