Neighbor News
Congressman Sherman Marks 20th Anniversary of Metro’s G “Orange” Line, Highlights Future of Valley Transit
Congressman Brad Sherman commemorates the 20th anniversary of Metro's Orange Line, also known as the G Line.
Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) commemorated the 20th anniversary of Metro’s Orange Line (officially renamed the “G” Line in 2020) calling the transit corridor one of the San Fernando Valley’s greatest transportation success stories and emphasizing the need to continue expanding public transit connections across the region.
“The Orange Line has been a tremendous success, with strong year-over-year ridership growth far exceeding its pre-construction projections,” Sherman said in a statement Tuesday. “It has proven an invaluable asset for Valley commuters.”
The 18-mile Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route stretches from North Hollywood to Chatsworth, operating along a dedicated right-of-way that once carried the historic Pacific Electric “Red Car” trolley. Since its opening on October 29, 2005, the line has served millions of riders and helped ease congestion on the 101 Freeway while connecting residents to the Metro Red Line and Amtrak systems.
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Sherman, who helped secure federal funding for the line’s construction and later safety upgrades—including a bicycle and pedestrian path and the Warner Center Transit Hub—said the anniversary arrives as Metro weighs major next steps for Valley transit.
The agency is currently finalizing environmental reviews for the long-anticipated Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project, which would create a new rail link between the Westside and the San Fernando Valley, directly connecting to the G Line.
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“There is no infrastructure project under Metro’s consideration with more potential to expand transit access, reduce traffic congestion, and give commuters back hours otherwise lost on the 405,” Sherman said. “I have consistently supported public transit through the Sepulveda Pass since coming to Congress, and I will continue to fight for the federal dollars needed to complete the project.”
Metro data shows the Orange Line has become one of the nation’s most successful BRT systems, carrying thousands of daily riders and serving as a model for dedicated-lane bus transit in metropolitan areas. The line was extended to Chatsworth in 2012, further strengthening the region’s interconnected transit network.
As Sherman noted, “It’s fitting that as we celebrate the Orange Line’s 20th anniversary, we’re also looking ahead to the next generation of Valley transit connectivity.”
