After years of construction and rising expectations, the long-awaited Subway Line D extension was officially opened for passengers last Friday, offering users a faster connection between downtown Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

The newly opened section adds three underground stations along Wilshire Boulevard: Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax and Wilshire/La Cienega.

Metro officials say the expanded route allows passengers to travel from downtown Los Angeles to Beverly Hills e n about 20 minutes, drastically reducing travel times through one of the busiest traffic corridors in the region.

“Today we are changing the way Los Angeles moves by closing a critical gap between downtown and the Westside, reducing congestion, shortening " commuting times and connecting more people with jobs and opportunities," said Mayor Karen Bass, who is on Metro's Board of Directors.

“This is the type of infrastructure that defines the future of a city. We're making it easier for people throughout Los Angeles to get where they need to go and to do it faster.”

The Wilshire Runner

The D Line, formerly known as the Purple Line, now extends further westward, from Koreatown to Mid-Wilshire and Beverly Hi lls, connecting passengers to museums, restaurants, shopping areas and entertainment destinations along the Wilshire corridor.

At the Wilshire/Fairfax stop, passengers can easily access Museum Row, which includes attractions such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and s La Brea Tar Pits, both close. The Wilshire/La Cienega station offers direct access to the restaurant areas and the famous shops of Beverly Hills.

The street is among the busiest in Los Angeles; it winds through Westlake, Koreatown, the famous Miracle Mile, Beverly Hi lls, Century City, Westwood and Santa Monica before ending on the Pacific Coast Highway, a journey that could take an hour.

According to Metro, by bringing people closer to the places and services they depend on, the Metro Line D Extension will help strengthen neighborhoods, support working families, and build a more connected, equitable, and resilient Los Angeles for future generations.

Like any big Los Angeles premiere, Friday's celebration featured Hollywood celebrities, the flash of press cameras, and a purple carpet to parade on. There was even a tiger puppet. life-sized saber, created by the Jim Henson Creature Shop, and the entire Metro system offered free rides over the weekend. Many fans also wore their Metro t-shirts with the legend “Ride the D.”

People who usually use Metro will now also be able to enjoy entertainment. In an effort to invigorate these stations In fact, activities will take place during May and June including salsa dancing, farmers markets and basket-weaving classes.

Big events and the future

Metro officials reported that each new station will have public art installations and full accessibility, along with reinforced security measures that include surveillance systems and transportation personnel.

The project is the only new underground subway to open in the United States this year and arrives as Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world in major international events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026, the 2028 Olympic Games and the 2028 Paralympic Games.

The celebration constituted the first phase of Line D. Two additional Line D extensions are currently expected to open in 2027, which will add four stations to along Beverly Hills, Century City and Westwood Village. The third phase, tentatively planned for fall 2027, will add stations at UCLA and the veterans'hospital.

“This train will open new doors to some of the most emblematic places in our city,” said Bass during the inauguration ceremony. “It connects the inhabitants d e Miracle Mile with its workplaces, with the museums, with the different neighborhoods and each other. It makes our immense city seem smaller and much more connected.”