Copper wire thefts on the rise, causing delays for Metro's rail lines - Los Angeles Times

Saumya Gupta
July 1, 2023 6 AM PT

A section of Los Angeles’ Metro rail system that extends from Norwalk to the South Bay was delayed this week because of the theft of copper wires used to power the rail cars. ... The incident marks the latest in a surge of thefts of valuable copper wiring, which has caused disruptions for the rail system, which serves more than 5 million riders a month.

In 2022, Metro reported more than 60 copper wire thefts, mainly affecting the Metro A Line, formerly known as the Blue Line. So far this year, there have been 21 thefts, mainly on the C Line, formerly the Green Line, Dave Sotero, a Metro spokesperson, said in an email. These thefts are happening on the above-ground sections of the light rail lines.

Copper wire thieves are also targeting lights on Los Angeles streets and freeways. In the last four years, Caltrans has spent about $24 million on repairs, according to NBC News.

The thefts from the rail system can cause service delays and interruptions for passengers, forcing Metro to use buses, reduce train speeds or rely on a single track, said Errol Taylor, Metro’s deputy chief operations officer. ... The thefts cost the transit agency between $8,000 and $15,000 each time to repair, Taylor said.

{snip}

Times staff writer Rachel Uranga contributed to this report.