The Expo Line’s opening weekend with free rides is now complete and regular service begins early Monday morning between 7th/Metro Center in downtown Los Angeles and the La Cienega/Jefferson station.
The first westbound train from 7th/Metro Center leaves at 4:54 a.m. and the first eastbound train from La Cienega/Jefferson station at 5:12 a.m. The final train of the night departs at 12:32 a.m from both 7th/Metro Center and La Cienega/Jefferson
The regular Expo Line timetable is below. It can be downloaded from the Metro website here [pdf]. Reminder: the Farmdale station is not yet open, nor is the train traveling all the way to Culver City until this summer.
La Cienega/Jefferson to 7th/Metro took 36 minutes yesterday. The reverse trip took 30. I’m sure the ride will improve because it’s completely ridiculous that the train stops at every intersection. I was also shocked that the trains for the grand opening had graffiti carved into almost every window and gum all over the floors. It felt like the train had already been operating for 30 years.
If my trip yesterday took 36 minutes, then it’ll take at least 40 once the Culver City and Farmdale stops are open. Let’s be generous and say that it’ll take another 30 minutes to get to the beach in Santa Monica once part 2 is open. I cannot possibly fathom why people would choose to take a 70 minute Expo Line trip over taking their car.
Pingback: Riding on the Expo | Gelatobaby
The flower street portion of the line definitely has signal issues especially the Eastbound trips to downtown LA, most likey due to the Washington/Flower ATP still not being efficient enough to have trains running at such close headways inbound. I am confident this will be improved like the Washington portion of the Blue Line.
But once the train gets on Exposition the line runs really fast for street running and the views while on exposition are fantastic. I can’t wait to see how the trees along the alignment grow in to their respective communities.
While I was riding the Expo for the first time this weekend, a group of Harley Davidson riders just whizzed by along Exposition Blvd faster than the train. Expo needs to work out an rapid service that has fewer stops along the way to reduce commuting time. The signal issues in Downtown also needs to be resolved. The main purpose of a train was to have a dedicated track so it doesn’t have stop at traffic signals. This defeats the whole purpose of commuting by a train.
These issues needs to be fixed. Otherwise, I think I’ll just go and buy a motorcycle.
I hear ya, Joaquin. I’m nervous about the length. But ill give you one reason to try the train out: gas= $4.20/gallon this week. Sigh….
The EXPO lines shares some older trains with the Blue Line. The newer Siemens trains are running on Blue/Expo as well. The old trains have a flat front and the new ones are slightly more elongated.
The reason that some would take the train is so they don’t have to sit in traffic that could take 60-70 minutes to get from PCH to the 110 in rush hour/any hour. The freeway is at capacity and they are not going to make it bigger.
James
I’ve been waiting for months for the Expo Line to open and for my commute to work to be a breeze! I must admit that I’m a little disappointed thus far – 12 minutes between trains seems too long! If I missed one connection, I could be almost 30 minutes late for work. My Gold Line trains come every 6 minutes during the day – why is the schedule for Expo Line so different than the other lines? I can deal with the trains moving at a snails pace between downtown and Exposition Park, but the wait between trains is a big concern and might be a deal-breaker for me.
None of these issues compare to the fact that there is no way to go south of Rodeo Rd. on La Cienega Blvd. from Jefferson Blvd. without taking two buses and spending 41 minutes to travel less than three miles because the 439 nor the 217 doesn’t stop on Slauson and there don’t seem to be any carpool or vanpool options for the area either. Big time fail. I waited six years for this line to open so that I could use it instead of the 212.
@Dairenn
I’m in the same situation as you too! In order for me to get to this station I have to travel four miles across two buses that takes close to an hour. That’s $5.00 for a day pass right there for just 4 miles of transit that takes over an hour, and that’s just to the station.
Now I know what those distance based fare people meant. I’m not paying $5 just to get 4 miles, lest when it takes close to an hour just to cover that distance.
As with Expo Test Rider, learning how to drive a motorcycle seems to be a better option for me.
Hi Eduardo;
Where about do you begin your commute and where are you going? It would be good for us to know hurdles in riders’ commutes and perhaps some of the very knowledgeable readers here can help plan a more efficient route.
Thanks,
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source