Every January, passengers across the country take off their pants and hop on the subway for the No Pants Subway Ride—and it happened again over the weekend.
The No Pants Subway Ride originated in New York City over 10 years ago at the hands of prank collective Improv Everywhere. In Los Angeles, where the weather is usually better for these sorts of things, riders have been stripping down for the last eight years via improv group GueriLA, for what they dub the "No Pants Metro Ride."
On Saturday, agents of all ages and from all walks of life met up at at five different stations: Sierra Madre Villa, Willowbrook, North Hollywood, Culver City and Wilshire/Western. At 1 p.m., ride captains met up with the agents to coordinate their departures, everyone took off their pants and then all five parties rode the train to Union Station. From there, bottomless passengers were able to mill about in the historic station for a short time before the whole party converged, hopping on the Red Line to Hollywood & Highland. Riders were required, in case you were wondering, to wear underwear. (This is a bit different from the World Naked Bike Ride, where many riders are totally nude.)
LAist photographer Annie Lesser said the reactions at Union Station were mixed: Bottomless riders were not allowed inside Starbucks for a latte, but they were given a 10 percent discount at Ben & Jerry's. She also noted a number of men who were not a part of the event rushing to take photos of women's butts with their smartphones.
Once on the train, riders were encouraged to act like it was just a normal day and to tell the curious that they simply forgot their pants. Not all riders abided by these rules, including a passenger in a sparkling vest who brought along a speaker and a disco ball, turning the train ride into a brief party. Lesser said that a little boy suggested to her there should be a "Pajama Subway Day," where everyone rides the train to a breakfast spot for some grub and to make new friends. That kid sounds like a genius, if you ask us.
Those pantsless riders in the mood to party then headed to the Loaded Hollywood bar, while those under 21 were able to meet up at Pig 'n Whistle. On the way there, Lesser said they encountered the most stares and questions on Hollywood Boulevard, and they got a talking to from some religious demonstrators who informed them they were sinners and tried to tell them about Jesus. (This happens at Topless Day in Venice Beach every year, although this past event, the topless folks drowned out the warnings of damnation with Cyndi Lauper.)
Organizers are hoping that next year, participants in the No Pants Metro Ride can take the the train to the beach and have their pantless afterparty there. After all, no one blinks at eye when it comes to butt cheeks at the ocean. Metro predicts that the Expo Line expansion should be up and running by April or May of this year, so that's a distinct possibility.
If you want to see photos from NYC's No Pants ride, click here.
Related: Photos: Riders Expose Their Butt Cheeks At The No Pants Metro Ride 2015
Photos: Riders Strip Down For No Pants Metro Ride 2014
Photos: The No Pants Subway Ride Was a Bare Affair 2013
