Metro shared the opening events at three new Wilshire stations – NBC Los Angeles

What to KnowDiscovery Runs Deep CelebrationFreeThe celebration honors the opening of Metro rail stations at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La CienegaMay 8, 12:30 to 4 p.m.”Service to the 3 new stations will begin at 12:30 pm!” shared Metro in a May 4 Instagram postIn addition to events at the three new stations, look for activities and opening day fun at Wilshire/Western, the station that has long been the western and temporary D Line terminusMetro is offering “free rides across its entire transit system” from 4 a.m. on May 8 through 3 a.m. on May 11 to celebrate the new stations; “Metro Bike Share will also provide free 30-minute single rides from May 8 through 11 with promo code 050826,” said the Metro team

When we hear that Metro is throwing three simultaneous festivities at a trio of brand-new D Line stations along Wilshire Boulevard, and all of the events are free to attend, we only have one enthusiastic response: We’ll sure be there, or we “Wil” be there, is probably the more apt way to put it, given the famous street at the center of the action.

It’s a much-anticipated kick-off that begins at 12:30 p.m. May 8 and concludes at 4 o’clock that same day. Revelers can expect an upbeat atmosphere, DJ music provided by KCRW’s own tune-smart spinners, and a caboodle of favorite food trucks.

“Surprises” also await, is the enticing promise from Metro.

The D Line extension has been in the works, both on the planning and building end, for decades — that’s not a misprint, we do mean literal decades — and the opening of the Section 1 stations is being happily hailed by commuters, urban explorers, and anyone who is eager to make it from Union Station to the intersection of Wilshire and La Cienega Boulevards at the edge of Beverly Hills in around 21 minutes, give or take.

Twenty. One. Minutes. Union Station. Wilshire. La Cienega. It can make a city-crossing Los Angeles lover feel like sci-fi portals may really be real.

Upping the air of merriment? Check it out: Metro shared more great news on its social pages: “To celebrate the opening of Section 1 of the D Line Subway Extension this Friday, May 8, Metro will offer free rides across its entire transit system all weekend.”

“Free fares will begin at 4 a.m. on Friday, May 8 and continue through 3 a.m. on Monday, May 11.”

“Metro Bike Share will also provide free 30-minute single rides from May 8 through May 11 with promo code 050826.”

It’s indeed time to “Ride the D” and for free, at least over one celebratory weekend.

Check out the new Wilshire stations, and find out what’s happening at each new stop, by visiting Metro’s Instagram pronto.

“Be part of the big moment for LA!” is the celebratory call to action for the May 8 openings. We’re beyond ready to be D-lighted, D-azzled, and D-elivered to the places we need to be.