The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), in partnership with Metrolink, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), and San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), today announced they would all offer free rides on buses, trains, and other public transportation services on Transit Equity Day, Sunday, Feb. 4. Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) and all other Ventura County transit operators will offer free rides on Monday, Feb. 5, to commemorate the day.

Transit Equity Day is celebrated annually on the birthday of Rosa Parks, who, by refusing to give up her seat on a public transit bus in 1955, helped to launch the civil rights movement in the United States. Transit Equity Day is now a day of action highlighting the efforts of transit providers, labor unions, and climate justice advocates to promote equity in public transportation.

“Metro continues to expand the system by opening new bus and rail lines throughout the region and improving public transit in neighborhoods as we know that removing barriers to transportation can create new opportunities,” said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Karen Bass. “We are excited to offer free rides to honor Rosa Parks and Transit Equity Day on Sunday, Feb. 4.”

Metro will provide free rides on its bus, rail, bikeshare, and Metro Micro rideshare services on Sunday, Feb. 4. All Metro rail station turnstiles will be unlocked, allowing unrestricted access to the rail system. On Metro Buses, bus riders will not need to TAP their fare cards at fare validators or fare boxes.

Metro Bike Share and Metro Micro will offer free rides that day as well. Users can redeem their Metro Bike Share 30-minute free ride by selecting ‘1-Ride’ at any Metro Bike Share kiosk, online, or in the Metro Bike Share app, and using code 020424. The code may be used multiple times throughout the day.

To redeem a free ride on Metro Micro, the agency’s on-demand rideshare service available in selected L.A. County neighborhoods, riders can simply book their ride and use code Equity24.

“Transit Equity Day is a reminder that transit agencies like Metro have a duty to embed equity into everything we do,” said Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro. “From offering discounted and free fares for students, seniors, and people with lower incomes to engaging the public in the design and implementation of our services, Metro strives to ensure that all people, regardless of where they live in LA County or how much money they make, have equitable access to high quality, reliable, and affordable transit services to get to work, school, or wherever they want to go.”

Metrolink passenger rail, serving riders throughout the region, will also honor Rosa Parks and transit equity by providing free fares on Sunday. When riders arrive at a station, they simply board the train to anywhere in Metrolink’s six-county service area. Metrolink’s Arrow service in San Bernardino County will also be free.

“We are proud to join our regional transit partners in offering free rides on Feb. 4, as part of our broader commitment to advancing transit equity in Southern California,” Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle said. “As a public transportation agency, we do more than connect people. We provide access to opportunity. That’s why, in addition to the everyday discounts and special programs we offer, we’re continuing to explore new and creative ways to address transit inequity in the communities we serve. For instance, added midday and late-night service on our Antelope Valley Line is creating new opportunities for riders who work outside of the traditional 8-to-5 window – a model we hope to replicate on additional lines later this year.”

SBCTA is sponsoring free bus and train fares for everyone boarding San Bernardino County transit providers within the county. Omnitrans, Victor Valley Transit Authority, and Basin Transit will operate at no cost on Sunday, Feb. 4, and Monday, Feb. 5, while Mountain Transit and Needles Area Transit will be free for riders on the latter day.

Orange County’s OC Bus and Riverside County’s Riverside Transit Agency will offer free rides on Sunday, Feb. 4. Ventura County transportation providers will commemorate Transit Equity Day with complimentary fares on Monday, Feb. 5.

Transit Equity is Every Day

For additional information on Transit Equity Day free rides, please visit metro.net, metrolinktrains.com, LADOT.com, OCTA.net, RCTC.org, GoSBCTA.com, and GoVentura.org.

About Metro

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan. Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for L.A. County and carries more than 900,000 boardings daily on a fleet of 2,200 low-emission buses and six rail lines.

Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net, facebook.com/losangelesmetro, twitter.com/metrolosangeles and twitter.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.

About Metrolink

Metrolink’s regional passenger rail service offers reliable, safe, affordable, and environmentally sustainable transportation throughout Southern California. Metrolink has 545.6 total service line miles and 67 stations across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and San Diego counties, connecting people, communities, and businesses and is an essential link in the region’s mobility network. Metrolink’s Arrow service, which launched in October 2022 with nine miles of track and four new stations between San Bernardino and Redlands, provides greater local and regional rail connectivity.