I'm staying in LA next February for a couple of days stopover between Auckland and San Francisco and I'm staying in Hollywood.

Can anyone tell me how useful the Metro Rail system is to get around LA, how frequent the services are, how safe they are, how quick from A to B and how expensive they are??

Cheers guys!

Anyone?

I'm sure you will be receiving more responses as the day goes on. The Metro Rail is safe, and I have been on the Red and Gold Line. Once, I was on the Blue Line, and that was many years ago. That line goes through south central LA to Long Beach.

The Red Line is the one you will start with in Hollywood. It is very safe, no restrooms in stations, and camera security is monitored in the station. The trains run about every 10 minutes and the fare is $1.35. You can find out more information regarding the rail system at

www.mta.net

Hope this helps.

Just took the Goldline from Pasadena to Union Station in downtown L.A. Very clean and safe and inexpensive. If your destinations are near where the system travels, it is great way to get around. Checking out the website for area applicability is a great idea.

Just a couple of rules: No eating/drinking on the trains. Ticket purchase is on the honor system. You'll need $1 bills and/or coins for the ticket machines. Don't risk a free ride. Metro police do patrol the trains and check for valid tickets.

The ride from downtown L.A. to Long Beach takes about an hour. From downtown L.A. to the airport takes about 75 minutes (mostly because it requires a transfer).

My wife commutes from Orange County to downtown 3 times per week on the Metrolink and Redline. Safe,clean and efficient unless someone throws themselves in front of the train.