Cal State LA station
| Company type | Transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | February 18, 1975 (busway segment) |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Area served | Eastside Los Angeles, California State University, Los Angeles campus |
| Products | Commuter rail service, bus rapid transit service |
Cal State LA station (formally known as Cal State Los Angeles station) serves as both a commuter rail and busway stop along the El Monte Busway. It is positioned between Interstate 10 and the campus of California State University, Los Angeles. This facility is situated within the El Sereno area of Eastside Los Angeles. The busway segment began operations on February 18, 1975, while the Metrolink platform was introduced later on October 26, 1994.
Immediately west of the station, the westbound busway lanes cross over the eastbound lanes, reversing their standard alignment until reaching the El Monte Busway’s western endpoint at Union Station. This configuration allows buses to access a single island platform at the Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center, but it prevents eastbound buses from merging onto the busway from Interstate 10’s general-purpose lanes.
To the east of Cal State LA station, both busway and rail tracks transition from a dedicated right-of-way into the median area of Interstate 10.
Service
This station is served by the Metrolink San Bernardino Line commuter trains and two bus rapid transit lines: Metro’s J Line and Foothill Transit’s Silver Streak.
The Silver Streak operates around the clock, connecting Montclair Transit Center, El Monte Station, and Downtown Los Angeles. Service frequency is every 15 minutes during most weekday hours, every 30 minutes in the evening, and hourly overnight.
Additionally, the busway station accommodates Metro Bus express routes and , as well as Foothill Transit routes , , , , , and . Metro Express 487 provides continuous service daily, while other routes primarily run during weekday peak times.
Local bus connections
Several local bus lines connect at street level near Cal State LA station:
- Alhambra Community Transit: Blue
- City of Commerce Transit: 200
- Edmund D. Edelman Children's Court Shuttle
- El Sol: City Terrace/ELAC
- Los Angeles Metro Bus: , ,
- Montebello Bus Lines: 10
- Monterey Park Spirit Bus: 5, Link Shuttle
Station layout
Cal State LA station exhibits a tiered structure. At street level on the southern edge of campus are ticket vending machines and a bus plaza. One level beneath street is the platform for westbound busway services. The train platform lies on the lowest tier directly below the westbound busway platform. Access to the eastbound busway platform is provided via a pedestrian bridge spanning the busway lanes.
The Metrolink platform measures only long—roughly half of a standard platform length—resulting in some train doors not opening when stopping here.