The EXPO line has already met its 2020 ridership goals, according to a new report from JLL. The EXPO line opened in late 2016, connecting Downtown to Santa Monica. Last year, there was a 49% increase in ridership, enough to bring the line to 2020 projections. Despite the popularity of the EXPO line, other metro lines are seeing a decrease in ridership. Green, Blue and Red lines have all seen a decrease in ridership. To find out more about these trends in ridership and how it has impacted commercial real estate, we sat down with Amber Schiada, JLL SVP and national director of JLL research in the Southwest.

GlobeSt.com: Why do you think the Expo Line has been so popular?

Amber Schiada: What could be better than a smooth ride to the beach? It's probably the easiest way to get to Santa Monica without suffering through traffic. And it's one of the hottest office submarkets in Los Angeles and the West Coast. The explosive growth in new media and technology companies there means a lot more people are working in offices. While the car is still king, more people are seeing the benefits of public transit, boosting ridership numbers.