The old transit center was opened in 1973 at the eastern end of the El Monte Busway. Due to increasing bus congestion, a separate lower level station for local buses was constructed in 2006. Both stations were demolished in 2010 to create a new terminal, with a temporary terminal on a portion of the old parking lot as an interim improvement. The new terminal was designed by RNL Design and opened on October 14, 2012, and at that time the temporary terminal was closed and returned into a parking lot. This 11 mile busway connects the San Gabriel Valley, through the El Monte Transit Center to Downtown Los Angeles. The transit center also provides timed transfer connections for patrons of local bus services.
Services
With 22,000 passengers and 1,200 bus departures daily the station was doubled in size in a renovation which was completed in October 2012. Of all the 9 Metro Silver Line stations, the El Monte Station is the busiest and most served station by the Metro Silver Line. With the "Silver 2 Silver" program, Cal State LA students who have Metro passes can use the Foothill Transit's Silver Streak bus between Downtown Los Angeles and El Monte Station at no additional charge. Similarly, Foothill Transit Silver Streak riders may use their passes on the Metro Silver Line between El Monte Station and Downtown Los Angeles. Staffed counters are available for Foothill Transit, Metro ExpressLanes, and Greyhound.
Layout
The entrance to the station is located at the corner of Santa Anita Ave and Ramona Boulevard. The new layout of El Monte Station features 17 new bus berths on the lower level and 12 additional berths on the upper level. The design of the station is such that there are no at grade crossings of passengers and buses. Although the upper level is at existing grade, passengers are required to descend into the lower level and return to the ground level. Just west of this station the transitway moves off the separate right of way and moves into the middle of Interstate 10. The station has a 1,760 space park and ride lot. There are additional spaces in Downtown El Monte which can be used by commuters. The station also has a connection to the Rio Hondo bicycle trail via Pioneer Park, which is north of the station. Previously the station had a connection through the parking lot, but that was fenced off when construction of the new terminal began. The Division 9 bus yard is located next to the bus station, and buses coming into, or going out of service, enter and leave from that yard.
Renovation
A $60 million renovation new El Monte Station opened to the public on Sunday, October 14, 2012. The new facility is designed to meet increasing travel demands in the corridor and to promote increased levels of transit use. In January 2013, Metro announced that it is in the process of installing four TAP card vending machines for passengers at the El Monte Station, which was completed in June 2013.
Bike Hub
The first bicycle parking facility, called a "Bike Hub", at the station opened on September 14, 2015.
Services
Due to a demand of implementation of 24 hour service on the Metro Silver Line, it now runs a 24 hour night time service between El Monte Station and Harbor Gateway Transt Center, as of June 25, 2017.
