Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins and L.A. City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, right, greeted the first passengers to arrive at the Wilshire/Fairfax station. (photo by Edwin Folven)

In a historic day for Los Angeles, Metro’s long-awaited D Line subway extension project opened the first three stops along Wilshire Boulevard on Friday, May 8, connecting the Miracle Mile and Beverly Hills to Downtown L.A. via rail for the first time. 

The first riders stepped on and off the trains shortly after noon at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax and Wilshire/La Cienega, often to applause from excited crowds of people waiting to board. Each stop was abuzz with music from KCRW DJs, food from local vendors, information, merch and interactive tables from community businesses and city partners.

“We together are trying to unlock something more,” Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said at the ribbon cutting at Wilshire/Fairfax shortly before the first riders stepped on the train. “We want to make life easier for all Angelenos. We connect people to jobs, to school and to each other. And with every project like this, those solutions get stronger.”

Many well-known faces were seen hopping on the first trains at the Wilshire/Fairfax station, including L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, L.A. City Council members including Katy Yaroslavsky, 5th District, Beverly Hills Mayor Craig Corman and other council members, members of the West Hollywood City Council and actor Jerry O’Connell.

Wiggins expressed optimism that the new stops – connecting a vital hub of Los Angeles’ Westside along Wilshire Boulevard – will increase ridership as Metro continues to work on sections two and three of the D Line in Beverly Hills, Century City and Westwood. Section two, which includes the Beverly Drive and Century City stations, is expected to open in spring 2027. Section three, which includes the Westwood/UCLA and West L.A./VA Hospital stations is scheduled to open in fall 2027.

“When gas prices are off the charts, traffic feels endless and parking costs are more than your lunch, $1.75 ride that gets you pretty much anywhere in the region starts to look pretty smart,” Wiggins said.

To celebrate the opening, Metro is offering unlimited free rides across the entire system – bus, rail, Metro bike and Metro micro – through 3 a.m. on Monday, May 11.

For information on the D Line and schedules, visit metro.net.