The New York City Subway offers broader coverage and higher ridership, but faces accessibility challenges. The Los Angeles Metro Rail (Purple Line Extension) focuses on specific area connectivity and travel time reduction, with ongoing expansion plans.
| Attribute | New York City Subway | Los Angeles Metro Rail (Purple Line Extension) |
|---|---|---|
| Service Area Coverage | Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx | Miracle Mile, Beverly Hills, Century City, Westwood, and West Los Angeles |
| Frequency of Service (Peak Hours) | Every 2 to 5 minutes on the most used sections (6:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays) | Every 4 minutes during weekday peak periods for Westside Purple Line Extension Section 3 |
| Frequency of Service (Off-Peak Hours) | Every 5 to 10 minutes during midday, every 5 to 15 minutes until midnight, approximately every 20 minutes late-night (midnight to 6:30 AM) | Every 10 minutes during weekday off-peak periods and weekends for Westside Purple Line Extension Section 3 |
| Accessibility for People with Disabilities | As of January 2025, 152 out of 472 stations (32%) are accessible. Manhattan: 65 out of 153 stations are ADA-compliant (42%). The Bronx: 19 out of 70 stations are ADA-compliant (27%). | Regular maintenance and upgrades to elevators and escalators |
| Average Travel Time (Specific Routes) | Information on specific routes' travel times can be found on the MTA website or app. | Downtown Los Angeles to Westwood: approximately 25 minutes. Westside to downtown during peak hours: about 20 minutes. Wilshire/ Western Station to Westwood/VA Station: 15 minutes by subway. 7th Street/Metro Center to Century City: around 20 minutes. |
| Ticket Pricing and Payment Options | Single Ride: $2.90 ($3.25 at vending machine), 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard: $34, 30-Day Unlimited MetroCard: $132, OMNY (contactless payment), Reduced Fares available | Standard Metro base fare applies. Payment options include TAP cards, Apple Wallet, the TAP app, and cash. Discounts are available for seniors, Medicare recipients, customers with disabilities, K-12 students, community college students, and low-income individuals. |
| Cleanliness and Maintenance of Stations | Daily cleaning of subway cars, regular station maintenance, Station Re-NEW-vation Program | LA Metro is constantly working to improve the safety, cleanliness, and comfort of the Metro system. |
| Safety and Security Measures | Increased NYPD patrols, additional personnel, camera installation, platform barriers, improved lighting, SCOUT teams | Law enforcement partners, Metro Transit Security Officers, and Metro Ambassadors. Security cameras are installed across the system. Improved lighting is implemented at stations and on buses. |
| Real-Time Tracking and Information Availability | MTA App and Website, OMNY wearable smartwatches | Not available |
| Integration with Other Transportation Modes | Bus lines, commuter rail (LIRR, Metro-North), Staten Island Railway, PATH, ferries | Metro Busway, Metrolink, and Amtrak lines. Free transfers between Metro routes within 2 hours using a TAP card. |
| Ridership Volume | 2024 Annual Ridership: 2,040,132,000 unlinked riders, Daily Ridership: approximately 3.4 million | Current Purple Line: 39,000 daily. Estimated 62,000 upon completion of the first phase extension, increasing to 150,000 by 2040. Section 3: 21,600 daily linked trips, expected to grow to 36,100 by 2035. More than 311 million boardings in 2024, an 8% increase over 2023. |
| Expansion and Future Development Plans | Second Avenue Subway extension, Interborough Express, ADA accessibility improvements, new lines and extensions | Section 1 (Wilshire/Western to Wilshire/La Cienega): 2025. Section 2 (Wilshire/La Cienega to Century City/Constellation): 2026. Section 3 (Century City/Constellation to Westwood/VA Hospital): 2027. |