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| Status | Environmental Review | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Type | Bus rapid transit Rapid transit (future) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| System | Metro Busway | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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TheVermont Transit Corridor is a proposed 12.5-mile (20.1 km)bus rapid transit line in theMetroBusway network inLos Angeles, California with plans to convert it torapid transit in the future. It is planned to operate on a north-to-south route onVermont Avenue between theB Line'sVermont/Sunset station and theC Line'sVermont/Athens station on theLos Angeles Metro Rail system. The project feasibility study was released in February 2019 with a proposed completion date of 2028 for BRT and after 2067 for rail.[1][2] It is part of Metro'sTwenty-eight by '28 initiative and is partially funded byMeasure M.[3] The route will have signal priority at traffic lights and will have a dedicated right of way. Metro reports the initial cost is $425 million.[3]
In early 2025, LA Metro released a strategic three-phase plan for implementing dedicated bus lanes along Vermont Avenue. The plan details near-term, mid-term, and long-term improvements aimed at enhancing bus service, including the installation of curbside bus lanes, signal priority measures, and upgraded station infrastructure.[4][5]
Subsequently, on March 19, 2025, Metro’s Planning and Programming Committee approved a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for the Vermont Transit Corridor project. This approval allows the project to move forward into the environmental review phase, representing a key milestone in the planning process.[6]
Until 1963, Vermont Avenue was served by severalLos Angeles Railway Yellow Carstreetcar lines: theF,K,R,S,U, andV. After streetcars ceased running under theLos Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority, tracks were torn up, and buses replaced service.
As of 2020[update] Vermont is the second busiest bus corridor in ridership, with 45,000 boarding per work day. Metro estimates this BRT will have 75,000-weekday boardings once completed. For that reason, light rail and subway options are also being developed. Metro is looking for ways to accelerate the option. Rail-based options are not scheduled to receiveMeasure R funds until after 2067.[1][2][non-primary source needed]
Two alternative analyses were developed.
Metro currently plans to construct bus rapid transit with various stations along its route. Each will be spaced about one mile (1.6 km) apart. Metro will study three options for BRT:
These feasibility options were sent to formal environmental review status. Metro plans to commence the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) with the choices by 2019. Metro's planned budget for BRT is $425 million.
For rail, concepts have been published in the feasibility study. Measure M funds for rail are expected to become available after 2067.[3]
The following concepts were published:
The corridor includes Vermont Avenue between Hollywood Boulevard and 120th Street.[3] Destinations along the route includeExposition Park and its museumsLucas Museum of Narrative Art, theNatural History Museum and theCalifornia Science Center. Also, local sports stadiums, theLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum andBMO Stadium.USC is along the route. It would also connect with E Line atExpo/Vermont station.[7][non-primary source needed]
The following table shows potential BRT metro stations, per feasibility study from north to south. Also listed are existing light rail and subway stations.[7]
| Station Options[2][8] | Alt 1 BRT[7] | Alt 2 LRT | Alt 3 HRT | Connecting services[9] | Community | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont/Sunset |  Y | - | Y |  B Line | Little Armenia,East Hollywood | Existing subway station |
| Vermont/Santa Monica | Y | - | Y | B Line | Thai Town | Existing subway station |
| Vermont/Beverly | Y | - | Y | B Line | Wilshire Center | Existing subway station |
| Vermont/3rd St. | Y | - | - | Koreatown | ||
| Wilshire/Vermont | Y | Y | Y | B Line D Line | Koreatown | Existing subway station |
| Vermont/Pico | Y | Y | Y | Pico-Union | ||
| Expo/Vermont | Y | Y | Y |  E Line | Expo Park,USC | Existing light rail station |
| Vermont/Vernon | Y | - | - | |||
| Vermont/Slauson | Y | Y | Y | South Los Angeles | ||
| Vermont/Florence | Y | Y | - | |||
| Vermont/Manchester | Y | Y | Y | Vermont Vista | ||
| Vermont/Century | Y | Y | - | Vermont Vista | ||
| Vermont/Athens | Y | Y | Y |  C Line | Athens/Vermont Vista | Existing light rail station |
| Vermont/120th St. | - | Y | Y | Harbor Gateway,Los Angeles Southwest College/Vermont Vista |
Metro is also conducting a BRT, LRT, and HRT feasibility study to extend the route a further ten miles (16 km) past 120th Street south along Vermont Avenue toKen Malloy Harbor Regional Park terminating atPacific Coast Highway.
Nearby destinations would includeLos Angeles Harbor College,Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center, andPacific Coast Highway station (J Line).
A feasibility study was conducted and released in 2023.[10] Metro staff recommended no further study be conducted. Incremental BRT and rail service was recommended once BRT or Rail service has begun on the full corridor.[11][12]
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