Anyone ever use the Metro 460 line from LA?

[grelca]

I want to get to Disneyland more often without spending a fortune on gas and parking. So I was wondering if anyone's ever taken the bus from LA... is it usually crowded or are there seats for everyone? It'd be a long trip without a seat. The timetable shows about 2 hours each way between downtown and Disneyland. How accurate is that? Would any suggest actually using the bus? The extra hour or so of travel time each way doesn't bother me, because I'm not the one driving.

Also, how does paying the fare work? I've never taken the bus and crossed one of the fare zones or whatever they're called, but when you do, how does my TAP card get charged the extra 75 cents? Google has failed me in trying to find the answer.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I have used the LA Metro 460, but only in Orange County between Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm with no issues. This part of the route has limited stops, and only takes about 20 minutes each way.

I would prefer to take the Metrolink Train from Union Station to the Fullerton Station, and then take the OCTA Route 543/43 bus that goes down Harbor Blvd. (The 543 is a limited stop bus and the better choice if available) Your Metrolink Train ticket works as an OCTA pass, so no extra fares are needed.

 

[grelca]

Round trip on Metrolink from Union Station is almost as expensive as parking, though. $17 (+$3.50 for a round trip between Hollywood and Union Station) vs $18 for driving and parking (let's call it $25 with gas, which feels like a high estimate but I don't actually really know haha) doesn't feel as much worth the added hassle as $5 total round trip.

 

[paintingoncelluloid]

I take the 460 to Disneyland all the time! (I live in downtown LA.) The timetable -- except during afternoon rush hour northbound -- is accurate, and it takes two hours from Disneyland to 5th and Spring. Your ability to get a seat depends a lot on both time of day and where you board. Boarding at 5th and Spring, I always get a seat, but during rush hour the bus does tend to be full-ish before it leaves downtown. (But since you're going the whole route, even if there isn't a seat when you board, you'll definitely be able to snag one when someone else gets off. You won't stand the whole trip.) I've also never seen the bus totally full when it pulls away from Disneyland, so you'll have a seat on the way home, too.

As for paying, when you board you tell the driver that you're taking the bus all the way to Disneyland (or all the way to downtown LA). Then you'll tap your card once, and if they tell you to, tap it again. (Although sometimes they will only have you tap once -- I figure this has something to do with some fareboxes being different?) Sometimes the driver will then give you a little white pass that proves that you paid the extra zone fare, which they will then stop and collect from all the passengers before crossing the zone. Other times they won't hand out or collect the pass. (I have ridden this bus dozens of time, and I couldn't tell you why the procedure isn't always the same. Maybe someone else knows? I just do what they tell me.)

Especially if you live downtown, the 460 is incredibly convenient. It basically takes me door-to-door to Disneyland with no parking, no trams, no driving, for only $5. And, if you have a smartphone, I highly recommend the app Transit. It has bus schedules and real-time tracking, and it hasn't failed me yet.

 

[paintingoncelluloid]

Oh, I just noticed that you said you live in Hollywood? You'd probably take the red line to Pershing Square, then, and the bus stop at 5th & Hill is catty-corner. You'd definitely have a seat, no worries.

 

[grelca]

Yeah I live just a few blocks from the red line so taking that was my plan! Thanks so much for the info!

 

[Darkbeer1]

Round trip on Metrolink from Union Station is almost as expensive as parking, though. $17 (+$3.50 for a round trip between Hollywood and Union Station) vs $18 for driving and parking (let's call it $25 with gas, which feels like a high estimate but I don't actually really know haha) doesn't feel as much worth the added hassle as $5 total round trip.

On a weekend, a Metrolink Train ticket with transfers is just $10 for an all day pass.

So you will have to pay for the one-way to Union Station on the Red Line $1.75, then your Metrolink train ticket works on the OCTA (show the driver), and then on the way home, the Train tickets is a TAP ticket, so it will open the turnstiles.

 

[Ryan120420]

Round trip on Metrolink from Union Station is almost as expensive as parking, though. $17 (+$3.50 for a round trip between Hollywood and Union Station) vs $18 for driving and parking (let's call it $25 with gas, which feels like a high estimate but I don't actually really know haha) doesn't feel as much worth the added hassle as $5 total round trip.

You could take a Metrolink train into Fullerton/Anaheim and the 460 back to LA at the end of the day. Your Metrolink ticket is good all day for unlimited transfers to select OCTA and ART routes and most LA Metro routes. With a Metrolink ticket, you only pay the zone upcharge on the 460 ($.75!!!).

 

[Bud Ice]

460 is good, just know it takes awhile. Ive done it from 5th and Grand all the way to DL. About 90mins in traffic