Each September, SoCal Transit Month – presented by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) – celebrates the systems that move one of the most dynamic and most challenging regions in the country.
Southern California has long been defined by its car culture and sprawling freeway network, but today the region is in the midst of a generational shift: billions of dollars are being invested to expand rail and bus service, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide more equitable access to jobs, schools and services. Transit agencies are modernizing infrastructure not only to meet growing demand – including the global demand that comes with hosting the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28) – but also to improve public health and connect communities more effectively across a region of nearly 20 million people.
For decades, STV has been a trusted partner in this journey. From pioneering the region’s first commuter rail system, to shaping the first modern bus rapid transit (BRT) corridor, to helping lead the transition to zero-emission bus fleets, STV’s contributions have consistently redefined what’s possible in the region’s mobility. That’s because our legacy in Southern California transit is not just about the projects we’ve delivered, but about how those projects have enabled residents and visitors to experience the region in more efficient, equitable and sustainable ways.
Below are a few highlights of STV’s enduring impact:
Metrolink Commuter Rail
When five counties came together in the early 1990s to launch Metrolink, STV played a central role as general engineering consultant. The firm provided program management, planning, design and construction management services to transform 230 miles of right-of-way into the backbone of Southern California’s first commuter rail network. After the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, STV helped accelerate recovery by designing and building new stations and track infrastructure in record time, allowing the system to carry twelve times its normal ridership when freeways were being rebuilt.
G Line Bus Rapid Transit
STV partnered with LA Metro to deliver the G Line BRT (formerly the Orange Line), the region’s first true BRT system that still serves as a national model. Extending 14 miles across the San Fernando Valley, the $320 million project introduced train-like amenities – platform stations, real-time signage, dedicated lanes – while creating a linear greenway that connected neighborhoods with new pedestrian and bike paths. This project proved that buses, when designed as a high-capacity, high-quality service, could transform mobility at a fraction of the cost of rail.
LA Metro Zero-Emission Bus Transition
As LA Metro works toward its ambitious goal of converting its entire 2,000+ bus fleet to 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2030, STV is providing strategic planning and technical support. The firm has developed a master plan to electrify operations, from depot redesign to vehicle procurement strategies, workforce training and coordination with local utilities. This work is positioning Southern California as a national leader in sustainable transit innovation.
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC)
The ARTIC station has become a landmark gateway to Orange County, linking rail, bus and local transit while preparing for future high-speed rail. STV served as program management consultant, guiding the City of Anaheim through planning, design and construction of the LEED® Platinum–certified hub. Today, ARTIC connects residents and tourists alike to regional attractions such as Disneyland, Angel Stadium and the Honda Center.
Purple (D) Line Extension
The Purple Line subway extension along Wilshire Boulevard – one of the most congested corridors in the nation – will dramatically reshape mobility between downtown Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Century City, UCLA and Westwood. As part of the design-build teams for both Section 2 and Section 3, STV is serving as lead designer, engineer-of-record and systems integrator for stations, tunnels and systems. Once complete, the LA Metro extension will carry hundreds of thousands of riders daily, cementing its role as a crucial backbone of the region’s growing rail network.
LAX/Metro Transit Center
With LA28 fast approaching, the new LAX/Metro Transit Center Station marks a pivotal step toward seamless airport connections. STV co-led early planning, environmental review and conceptual design for this $900 million multimodal hub, which links LA Metro’s rail network with shuttles to LAX terminals and, beginning in 2026, the Automated People Mover. This project exemplifies how integrated planning and design can enhance traveler experience and regional mobility.
