The Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension from Union Station downtown to East Los Angeles will open to the public on Sunday, Nov. 15.

The six-mile Eastside Extension light rail segment will have eight new stations, two of them underground at Soto and Mariachi Plaza, and 1.7 miles of underground track. It will link the existing Metro Gold Line to Pasadena with Little Tokyo and the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles, before traveling east along 1st Street through Boyle Heights to East Los Angeles.

When it opens it will bring the Metro Rail system to a total of 79 miles of rail -- all built during the past 20 years.

Ridership on the extension is expected to grow steadily. Estimates say it'll reach an average of 13,000  passengers daily during the work week by the end of the first year of operation.

The Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension will be supported by a confluence of buses to extend its reach into the neighborhoods. More than 20 bus lines including those serving L.A.'s downtown Union Station -- will connect the Eastside Extension with greater Los Angeles County.

Free rides on the entire Metro Gold Line from Pasadena to East Los Angeles will be offered on opening day Sunday, Nov. 15.