The Rosa Parks station on the Blue Line. Photo by Sean_Marshall, via Flickr creative commons.
It’s kind of an obvious statement: rail and busway stations are the gateway for the tens of thousands of passengers entering the Metro system each day. And since most people have to spend at least a few of minutes at stations, the quality of time spent there is crucial to the overall transit experience.
In that vein, a motion by Metro Board Chair and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa seeks to improve rail and bus stations across the Metro system with specific mention of Blue Line stations. The motion would also put aside $10 million in the Metro budget to pay for upgrades.
The Metro Board of Directors will consider the motion at tomorrow’s Board meeting at 9 a.m. at Metro headquarters.
I think there’s a lot of interesting things in this motion and I encourage you to read it. Among the issues tackled in the motion are wayfinding and signage, network connections to stations, noise at Green Line stations (most are in the middle of the 105 freeway) and expanding a Metro grant program to help cities zone and plan transit-oriented developments.
We’ll have more tomorrow after the Board considers the motion.
-Widen Blueline and Greenline Escalotors..
-Bathrooms are an absolute must.
- ATMs.
-Vending machines (Why does MacArthur Park staion have coke machines but not others?).
-Widen the Vernon and Florence station platforms on the BlueLine.
-Better signage.
-And for *Bleeps* sake, turnstyles at all Blue Line Stations. Why do I feel like these stations are boobie trapped for the “lower class” and also allow wanderers about the platform.
I have to agree with the need, want and desire for having more retail and vending opportunities available at subway and train stations.
Lockers may be considered a security risk (which is a shame). But there are all sorts of possibilities for inside the station as well as improving the neighborhood around the station area (which seems to be what this motion is aimed more at).
How about the classic newspaper/ magazine/ manga news stand/ vendor?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seanscott/262713980/
How about a TAP card-operated and TAP sponsored bottled drink vending machine?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanprose/2167282707/
Of course, we also need better signs and neighborhood maps, more trees around the stations, bicycle racks and transit-oriented development, but we shouldn’t forget the stations.
#1 problem to be solved above all else- Noise on the center freeway stations on Green and Gold lines. Walls, covers, roofs- something needs to be done now. Its almost a tragedy the Green has not been fixed in all the years it has been open.. This is much more important that more amenities at this point. Its a health/safety type issue that needs to be resolved soon.
Seeking more revenue earning possibilities like newspaper stands, restrooms and vending machines should be top priority. You can’t rely on tax support and Congress forever to pay for costs of upkeep, maintenance, and upgrades to trains and stations. Station amenities should be added now than later so that they create additional revenue and can be used as an additional funding source for Metro.
Why not add a small “facilities surcharge” for foods and drinks sold at the station? A nickel surcharge on all food and bottled drinks sold at the station could generate lots of additional income for Metro which could be used for janitorial services and station upgrades.
Estube esperando el tren en la wardlo station y no yego solo dijeron k no avia servicio x k no ponen una persona adecir k no ay servicio. Oasi como los policias checan los tikets asi deverian de aver puesto a alguien porque com pre mi tiket y no lo use ………
y gaste mi dinero aver quien me lo repone..?
Add displays with yoga/tai chi/stretching exercise guides so people can use their waiting time to improve their health.
Add another one who votes for more services and amenities. Retail activities at LAX terminals and at Union Station provide services for travelers as well as pump more energy into our local economy. That model should be copied in small scale to all of our transit centers.
How about those kiosks that we see at shopping malls? Those would be perfect size for our light rail stations and subway mezzanines:
http://www.jfsdesigngroup.com/Kiosks-News.htm
Rental income and sales tax from the sales of goods and services provide more sources of funding that is desperately needed especially at a time when you can’t count on bipartisan support from Congress. If you can’t count on politicians, it’s time Metro start seeking other sources. What better way than to provide goods and services as well as making desperately needed cash at the same time?
Turnstiling the Blue Line and the surface (not elevated, not underground, not freeway-median) stations of the Gold Line is futile as it is for the surface stations on the Expo Line. Why? Because anyone can just walk along the tracks past the ramp to the edge of the platform and climb up.
Ironic given the Turnstiles’ origins in Yvonne Burke’s desire to help her district’s residents from getting fare-evasion tickets….on the Blue Line
This is a main reason why the turnstile project is a debacle and needs to be scrapped: the system cannot be completely “gated”. Ever.
I don’t see why people are so anxious to add vending machines. These machines sell primarily food and drink which are bad for your health, bad for your environment and bad for Metro. Rest assured the majority of people using the machines will leave the wrappers and bottles on the seats. Not to mention the need to put power to the machine, secure it, keep it stocked, and take up shaded and sheltered area.
I don’t know what the estimated travel time is for the average metro ride. But do you need a snack that desperately to cover that time?
The metro is here for your transportation convenience. Pack your own snacks (it’s cheaper and healthier), try to empty your bowels at home (hopefully more sanitary than using most public restrooms) and enjoy the ride.
@Snack Time
I disagree. Not everyone shares the same idea because if everything went the way things you prefer, we wouldn’t have McDonald’s, Coca Cola, Taco Bells or even have healthier things like Subways, V8 juices, and vegetarian restaurants as well. These companies exist today because not only because there’s demand for it, but they also create jobs for our local economy.
Besides, many cities around the world install vending machines and kiosks at their stations. Not everything in vending machines has to be unhealthy. Even bottled water or vegetable juice can in them as well. It’s not just hamburgers and KFCs, they also opens doors for healthier options like tuna sandwiches and salads.
If there’s a demand for it, I say why not? The stations are dirty as it is today even with the food and drink ban in effect. The ban has no effect in leaving trash and waste on our trains and stations. If that’s not working, it’s better to lift it and open opportunities to provide better services and amenities, make additional revenue and use a portion of that to help pay for cleanliness of the stations.
How do you think restaurants keep their places clean? If restaurants started banning food because customers creates a mess on the floor, they wouldn’t be in the restaurant business. Instead, portions of revenues earned by restaurants go to hiring janitors. Hiring janitors creates jobs. More janitors means created more demand for cleaning supplies and everything else is a butterfly effect down the road which goes onto help jump starting this economy.
I say do it and make better use of space. These restrictions are hurting Metro more than they are helping them.