Mayor Bass Brings Metro Rail Service to East San Fernando Valley

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First Local-Stop Commuter Rail Service on Van Nuys Boulevard in More than 70 Years

Construction Begins on Nearly $4 Billion, 6.7-Mile Light Rail Line with 11 Stations Serving Van Nuys, Panorama City, Arleta and Pacoima

LOS ANGELES - Mayor Karen Bass, who is Chair of the Metro Board of Directors, was joined today by Valley leaders to break ground on the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project. Once completed, this will be the first light rail train on Van Nuys Boulevard in more than 70 years. Photos will be available here.

"The East San Fernando Valley deserves an affordable and safe transit system that provides reliable access to jobs, healthcare, schools and local businesses - I'm proud that Metro's Light Rail Transit Project will deliver just that," said Mayor Bass. "Under my leadership as Chair of the Metro Board, we're bringing Metro services to our Van Nuys, Panorama City, Arleta and Pacoima neighborhoods where nearly 19% of residents rely on public transit. By creating 18,000 good-paying jobs through this project, we're demonstrating the benefits of investing locally and building the infrastructure that Angelenos deserve."

The East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project will create a 6.7-mile rail line along Van Nuys Boulevard, with 11 new stations and direct access to Metrolink, Amtrak and the Metro G Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, giving residents of Van Nuys, Arleta, Panorama City and Pacoima, who are transit-dependent, access to reliable and affordable Metro rail service that they have lacked for more than 70 years.

"For too long, the San Fernando Valley has been asked to wait its turn for real transit investment," said Councilmember Adrin Nazarian. "When I served in the State Legislature, I fought for dedicated SB 1 funding for rail infrastructure because I knew projects like this would never get built without the state stepping up, and I'm thrilled to see that investment pay off. Soon, Valley residents will be able to get where they need to go in a region starved for mobility and connectivity."

"This marks a historic milestone for the East San Fernando Valley and the working-class communities that have waited generations for this kind of investment," said Imelda Padilla, Metro Board Member and Los Angeles City Councilmember. "As someone who grew up in the Valley, I know how much reliable public transportation means to our families. Bringing rail back to Van Nuys Boulevard after more than 70 years is about more than connecting people to jobs, schools, and essential services. It is about creating new opportunities for our residents, supporting our local businesses, and making sure the communities that have called this corridor home for generations are part of its future."

"For decades, the Northeast San Fernando Valley has carried heavy environmental and infrastructure burdens, despite having some of the highest transit dependency in the region," said Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez. "The East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project is a once-in-a-generation, long-overdue investment that will deliver cleaner air by cutting vehicle emissions and directly confront historical environmental inequities. By creating direct lifelines to regional job hubs from the Valley to Downtown LA, this project bridges a decades-long divide and will truly be life-changing for our City's working families."

The project is expected to create more than 18,000 good-paying jobs with Metro activating its Business Interruption Fund (BIF) to provide direct financial grants to small, locally owned businesses that may be impacted during construction. Additionally, the Eat, Shop, Play program will provide marketing support to local businesses that will experience increased foot traffic because of new Metro stations. Interested business owners can visit metro.net/projects/business-interruption-fund-bif.

"The San Fernando Valley is key for Metro in creating a connected Los Angeles County," said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. "We want to improve access and mobility for the diverse communities along the route who depend on transit. The new East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project is a huge step in providing access to jobs and the economic boost from the project will benefit local residents and the economy."

Since taking over as Chair of the Metro Board of Directors, Mayor Bass has prioritized making Metro safer, affordable, more reliable and ready for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Last month, Mayor Bass led the effort by the Metro Board to approve $1 million in additional funding for Open and Slow Streets events, including CicLAvia, that open streets for people to walk, bike, and roll through communities across Los Angeles County. The funding will support additional events through July 2028.