7th Street/Metro Center station

History

7th Street/Metro Center was constructed by the Southern California Rapid Transit District, which later became part of today's LA Metro, as part of the first 4.5 mi minimum operating segment (MOS-1) of the Metro Rail subway (now B Line). Ground was broken for the project on September 29, 1986.

The upper level of this station, used by light rail trains, opened on February 15, 1991, nearly two years before the rest of the MOS-1 subway stations. However, the opening was several months after the rest of the Blue Line's (now A Line) stations. The lower level subway platform opened with the rest of the MOS-1 segment stations on January 30, 1993.

As part of the Expo Line project (now the E Line), Metro invested nearly $2 million in station enhancements, completed shortly before service began to La Cienega/Jefferson station in April 2012. Improvements included a new dispatch booth and upgraded signage.

The station initially served as the northern terminus of the A Line and the eastern terminus of the E Line. Both lines were extended beyond the station on June 16, 2023, with the completion of the Regional Connector Transit Project.

In 2023, Metro presented station renovation renderings to update lighting, signage, and faregates. By April 2025, taller faregates have been installed at the station.

Service

Station layout

7th Street/Metro Center was the first underground station to open on the Los Angeles Metro Rail system and consists of three sub-surface levels. The main concourse is located on the second level below street level and is bisected by the light rail (A and E Lines) side platforms. The heavy rail (B and D Lines) island platform is situated on the third level below street level. A small mezzanine on the first underground level connects the two light rail side platforms.

At street level, the J Line bus rapid transit stops at the station, with northbound buses stopping along Flower Street and southbound buses along Figueroa Street.

The station has direct access to The Bloc Los Angeles, a shopping center, via a pedestrian entrance connecting the mall to the subway concourse.

7th Street/Metro Center is one of only two stations in the system to feature underground side platforms; the other is Wilshire/Vermont.

Hours and frequency

Connections

In addition to the rail and busway services, 7th Street/Metro Center station is a major hub for municipal bus lines. As of spring 2024, the following connections are available:

• Los Angeles Metro Bus: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Express, Express, Express*, Rapid
• Antelope Valley Transit Authority: 785*
• Big Blue Bus (Santa Monica): Rapid10*
• City of Santa Clarita Transit: 799*
• Foothill Transit: *, *, *, *, *, *
• LADOT Commuter Express: *, *, *, *, *, *, *, *
• LADOT DASH: A, B, E, F
• Montebello Bus Lines: 40, 50, 90Express*
• Torrance Transit: 4X* Note: * indicates commuter service that operates only during weekday rush hours.

As a filming location

Due to the design of the station and the popularity of the film industry in Los Angeles, the station has been featured in various movies and music videos over the years.

Film and television

• The Dark Knight Rises
• Captain Marvel
• Roman J. Israel, Esq.
• Collateral
• The Italian Job
• 24 season 3, episodes 23/24

Music videos

• The Weeknd - After Hours (2020)
• Taylor Swift - Delicate (2018)
• Lonely Day - System of a Down (2006)
• What It's Like - Everlast (1998)

References

References

1. (January 27, 2015). "Station Map".
2. "7th St/Metro Center Connections".
3. Jager, Rick. (August 2, 2001). "MTA Unveils Plaque Honoring Late Congressman Julian Dixon".
4. (September 29, 2011). "25 Years Ago Today: Los Angeles' Red Line Subway Breaks Ground".
5. (15 February 1991). "Underground Opening". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
6. Taylor, Ronald B.. (1991-01-17). "Blue Line's Ridership, Safety Praised After Initial 6 Months : Transit: Officials say 18,000 commuters daily use the trains, three times the number expected. Crime is low; accidents with cars and pedestrians are main problem.". [[Los Angeles Times]].
7. Katches, Mark. (January 31, 1993). "Red Line Rolls to Raves – It's Smooth Railing As L.A. Subway Opens". [[Los Angeles Daily News]].
8. (July 15, 2010). "Project: Exposition Light Rail Transit Project – Phase 1". Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
9. Sharp, Steven. (3 October 2025). "Planned 7th Street/Metro Center makeover takes a step forward".
10. Conybeare, Will. (22 April 2025). "LA Metro continues to make life hard for fare evaders". KTLA 5.
11. Dang, Ray. "7th St/Metro Center Station Directory".
12. Linton, Joe. (2017-02-07). "Downtown L.A. 7th Street Subway Station Opens New Tunnel to The Bloc".
13. (June 16, 2023). "E Line Timetable – Connections section". Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
14. "7th street Metro film Location".
15. "The Weeknd: After Hours (Short 2020) - Filming & production - IMDb".