Early numbers in June show that World Cup game-day ridership is high for L.A. Metro, but “the reviews are mixed” as for the experience of taking public transit, according to Seamus Bozeman of the L.A. TIMES. It is not clear what the effect of the World Cup will be for the transportation agency, an official partner of FIFA. Metro has “seen an increase in total ridership for the World Cup and near certain watch parties for the U.S.-Paraguay match last week.” At the Exposition Park, USC Metro E line stop, there was a 598% increase in total rider taps on Friday, compared to a typical day. At the A line, Memorial Park stop in Pasadena, near the Pasadena Civic Center watch party Friday, there was a 7% increase in fare gate taps. Metro also “touted the lack of ‘safety issues’ amid the World Cup,” where it said that it “was helped along by an increased number of law enforcement and security personnel.” With L.A. set to host the Olympics in 2028, there have been “widespread concerns about the city’s ability to efficiently move people on public transit during a sporting event on that scale.” Metro said the World Cup services has been a “good chance to prepare for moving a lot of fans at once” ahead of 2028 (L.A. TIMES, 6/17).
ACCORDING TO PLAN: In Seattle, Mike Lindblom noted although some fans “stood in line for an hour to board light rail after Monday’s big soccer match,” Sound Transit said that its strategy “worked overall, and its team will be ready for both World Cup and Mariners baseball crowds Friday.” Spokesperson Henry Bendon said that Light rail “carried an estimated 210,000 passengers Monday,” the third-highest volume ever. There were “no breakdowns or delays.” Trains ran “about four minutes apart as scheduled.” Sound Transit “expects even more riders Friday,” when the USMNT hosts Australia, followed by a Mariners game against the Red Sox (SEATTLE TIMES, 6/17).
