Category Archives: Transportation News

Transportation headlines, Friday, Feb. 24

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the Library’s Headlines blog, which you can also access via email subscription or RSS feed.

Photo credit: KCET

L.A. State Historic Park: a deserted railroad yard is transformed yet unfinished (KCET)

In its Departures column, KCET features an article on the unfinished work of creating Los Angeles State Historic Park. The piece tells the story of the battle to preserve as a park a former abandoned 32 acre rail yard in downtown L.A. The park is between Chinatown on the west and the L.A. River on the east and is within walking distance of City Hall and Union Station. The Cornfields, as it has become known, is also served by the Chinatown Gold Line station.

Moving sustainably (Google)

In addition to public transit, part of the transportation solution is going to be businesses stepping up to help their employees get to work. Not every company can afford to do what Google is doing to reduce its transportation carbon footprint but then, lots of companies that can afford to do more to promote alternatives to the lone driver car commuter, are not doing enough. In this video, Google’s Transportation Operations Manager talks about the various transportation solutions Google is promoting. You can learn more at Google. Now if I can only convince my wife to ride the bus or bike to her job at Google in Venice.

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House transportation bill won't eliminate transit funding from gas taxes

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Not sure this registers as a surprise — the transportation spending bill offered by Rep. John Mica (R-Florida) in the House was pounded with criticism from many corners. Here’s the news from Metro’s government relations staff:

House GOP Reportedly Will Make Changes To Surface Transportation Bill – End Effort To Eliminate Mass Transit Account

As the House and Senate try to adopt a multi-year surface transportation bill in the coming months, a new twist developed today, when House GOP leaders reportedly decided to cut the length of their bill from five years to two years.

The new bill will also reportedly scraps plans in the original GOP transportation bill that would have ended the transfer of motor fuel taxes to the Federal Highway Trust Fund’s mass transit account. This language, had it been adopted into law, would have compromised the longstanding practice of using motor fuel taxes to pay for federal transit projects and programs.

Our agency has been working with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the American Public Transportation Association and other local, state and federal mobility stakeholders to oppose efforts by Congress to weaken the mass transit account. In the coming days the House GOP leadership will decide on the path forward with respect to when the newly modified bill will be considered by the full membership of the House of Representatives.

Recap of other Metro Board actions taken today

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Here are some other actions taken by the Metro Board of Directors at this morning’s meeting:

•(Item 31) The Board approved a motion by Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to study and recommend a variety of improvements to Metro Rail and busway stations, including:

1. Find ways to upgrade access to Metro stations through better signage, crosswalks, sidewalks, bike signals, bike parking and more streetscape amenities.

2. Evaluate and suggest upgrades to security systems for park-and-ride lots used by Metro patrons.

3. Evaluate options for reducing noise at Green Line stations in the median of the 105 freeway.

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What's happening at other transit agencies?

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Two Pittsburgh light rail trains glide over the snow. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

This weekly post features news from other transit agencies and planners from around the world. Did we miss a good story? Let us know in the comments.

Steelers, casino to foot bill for free transit rides on new Pittsburgh line

Here’s an interesting tidbit coming in over the wire: The NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers and a local casino have agreed to pay for three years’ worth free transit rides on the city’s newest segment of light rail. Free rides will be limited to the new 1.2-mile “North Shore Connector” — and the two stations it serves — which will link downtown to Heinz Field. The line is expected to open sometime this spring. Good deal!

U.S Senate amendment would set higher bar for BRT

The keen eyes of the Seattle Transit Blog caught an intriguing amendment offered by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to the Senate’s federal transportation bill. The gist of the amendment is that it would create higher standards for what the federal government considers true bus-rapid transit — and thus effect what kinds of BRT projects the feds would be willing to fund. The proposed standard — which hasn’t yet been inserted into the bill — would require any projected dubbed BRT to have its own separated right-of-way for more than half of the line, dedicated stations, traffic signal priority and other features that would ensure a high-quality transit experience.

Chicago approves $7.3 million for downtown bus rapid transit

Speaking of which: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is kicking in $7 million — matched with a $25 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration — to implement a BRT system in downtown Chicago. Radio station WBEZ reports that the system will include “dedicated bus lanes, signal preemption, prepaid boarding or on-board fare verification, multiple entry and exits points on the buses, limited stops, and street-level boarding.” All of those features will help the buses run faster, saving commuters time and the transit agency money. The aim, in particular, is to speed up trips within downtown and help commuters make their last-mile connection from Metra commuter rail stations to their destinations.

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Metro Board moves to lock gates at Metro Rail stations within next six months

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The Board approved a motion by Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky asking Metro staff to plan to lock the gates at Metro Rail stations within the next five or six months.

“I think the evidence is resounding and clear — there are a lot of people who have been avoiding paying their fares,” said Yaroslavsky. “We’re talking about millions of dollars here” in terms of lost revenue.

Yaroslavsky also disputed previous reports suggesting the fare evasion rate is as low as three percent.

Metro tested locking the gates at a variety of subway stations last year. Here’s a staff report about the tests — in which Metro staff said that revenues greatly increased when the gates were locked.

The Metro Board also approved a motion by L.A. Councilman Jose Huizar to establish a working group of three TAP-enabled muni bus operators, three non-TAP enabled munis and Metro executive staff. The group will be charged with solving issues that are preventing some agencies from adopting TAP cards as a form of fare payment.

The more agencies that use TAP, of course, the easier it will be to have a regional fare system and to ensure that all passengers get through gates on the Metro system.

Metro is still working with Metrolink and other agencies to make commuter rail and EZ passes TAP-enabled. We’ll have more details in the coming weeks. 


Metro CEO Art Leahy's monthly report to the Board discusses Transitway accident, Beverly Hills trenching, Blue Line delays

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During his monthly oral report to the Board of Directors, Metro CEO Art Leahy told the Board:

•In the wake of the accident on Wednesday in which a private vehicle struck a platform on the Harbor Transitway and injured six people, Leahy said that he would ask Metro staff for a safety review of the Transitway. The report, due back in 60 days, would look at the signage and layout of the Transitway, which Leahy also noted has operated safely since its opening in 1998.

•Leahy also said that the Beverly Hills Unified School District had asked Metro for $500,000 in exchange for receiving access to trenches dug on the grounds of the Beverly Hills High School campus. “We’re not going to do that,” Leahy said. Metro released geotechnical reports on earthquake faulting in the Beverly Hills, Century City and Westwood areas last fall as part of the planning for the Westside Subway Extension. The trenches are part of geotechnical work that the school district is doing on the Beverly Hills campus in response to Metro’s reports.

•As for the Blue Line delays this morning, Metro officials told the Board that a power outage occurred on the line early this morning just south of the Blue Line maintenance yards, thereby preventing trains from leaving the yard and being deployed on the line. Power was restored about 5:40 a.m. and some trains were able to get out of the yard, but delays continued throughout the morning commute — as many of you already know.

 

Metro Board meeting today

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The monthly meeting of the Metro Board of Directors is just getting underway.

Here’s the agenda for the meeting. We’ll have coverage during the day on The Source. The meeting can be listened to over the phone by calling 213-922-6045.


Transportation headlines, Thursday, Feb. 23

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the Library’s Headlines blog, which you can also access via email subscription or RSS feed.

L.A. mobility meetings coming to a neighborhood near you this weekend and next.

Los Angeles Mobility Element community meetings start this weekend (The Source)

Just a quick reminder that there are two community meetings this Saturday — and two more next Saturday — at which the public can help the city of L.A. shape its transportation policies. More details at the link above.

9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Van Nuys City Hall
14410 Sylvan St.
Van Nuys, CA 91401		 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
LACMA West
6067 W Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Google Transit: How (and why) the search giant is remapping public transportation (Xconomy)

Xconomy, a news website covering “business, life sciences, and technology news,” has this invaluable piece about how Google transformed the way transit information is used and shared with the public. The key part seems to be that Google was able to use its clout to establish a standardized format with which transit agencies could disseminate information about bus schedules and transit stop locations. This spurred agencies to share more information with app developers and led to a wave of useful digital tools for commuters.

Why I ride the bus (KCRW UnFictional)

This 30 minute radio feature delves into the life of one unique L.A. transit rider. Host Bob Carlson tells the story of a man who gave up his car and took up commuting via the Metro Local 180, thanks to a decade-long bout of narcolepsy that left him prone to nod off at any moment — including once behind the wheel at a red light. Unfortunately, I think the storytelling leans a bit too heavily on some well-worn cliches about the relationship between those irrevocably car-lovin’ Angelenos and their transit system. But it’s well worth a listen all the same.

Architectural sites that define our community (Mark Ridley-Thomas)

County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas’ staff has produced a web feature that highlights some of the architectural gems in the county’s second district. Two of the landmarks featured — Watts Towers and Exposition Park — jump out at me as being accessible via the Metro Rail Blue Line and soon-to-open Expo Line, respectively. Click the link and let us know in the comments if you think any of the other places mentioned are worth a trip via Metro.

Transportation headlines, Wednesday, Feb. 22

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the Library’s Headlines blog, which you can also access via email subscription or RSS feed.

Southland gas prices reach highest amount since late May (CBS Los Angeles)

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County has increased 15 consecutive days and 27 times in 28 days and is 19.4 cents more than one week ago, 34.3 cents higher than a month ago and 51.6 cents greater than a year ago, according to figures from AAA and Oil Price Information Service. The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose Tuesday, increasing 1.2 cents to $4.08. With gas up to its highest amount since May 27, does it make sense to look for options? Find the nearest Metro station or stop and hop aboard. Here’s the Metro Trip Planner to help or call 323-GOMETRO (323-466-3876) and tell them where you need to go.

Villaraigosa for transportation secretary (NBC Los Angeles)

If President Obama wins re-election, Mayor Villaraigosa would be a natural for the cabinet — particularly the transportation secretary post — suggests NBC Los Angeles. They point out that this could be great for L.A., since the mayor’s transportation plans — particularly his 30/10 plan to accelerate the building of Measure R projects –  make sense and could “help him deliver a full rail system for LA — on an accelerated time schedule.” What they don’t mention is that 30/10 would also be a template for transportation funding that could be used by other U.S. cities, which, of course, could positively affect the quality of our precious air.

Private sector reinventing our expressways, one lane at a time (Reason)

Why does congestion keep getting worse? While there is no single answer, a principal reason for ever worsening congestion is that the demand for road space — particularly on urban freeways — greatly exceeds the supply. What can be done about it? Here are a few thoughts on what could work from Reason.

Saving money the old-fashioned way, by not spending it (Grist)

And a final thought on economics: We work 3.84 minutes per day to pay for our bicycles and 2 hours a day to pay for a car, according to James D. Schwartz of The Urban Country. And he’s being conservative, assuming we’re dropping $1,500 on a new commuter bike every five years. My bike didn’t cost that much. Did yours?

Transportation headlines, Tuesday, Feb. 21

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the Library’s Headlines blog, which you can also access via email subscription or RSS feed.

High-speed rail plan would electrify Caltrain tracks (San Francisco Chronicle)

The state’s high-speed rail plans continue to be modified to make the bullet train more affordable and practical to build. The latest plan would have the high-speed rail trains running on the tracks that commuter rail currently uses in the Los Angeles and San Francisco metro areas.

In San Francisco, the plan would electrify the tracks that Caltrain uses between San Jose and San Francisco. That would allow electric-powered high-speed rail trains to use the existing tracks on the San Francisco Peninsula rather than building a whole new set of tracks.

In Southern California, the Chronicle reports that a series of improvements would be made to Metrolink tracks to eliminate or improve crossings and add extra track. The plans at this point don’t include electrifying Metrolink’s lines — a very big undertaking as Metrolink covers vastly more territory than Caltrain.

L.A.’s new bus benches look better but don’t serve riders (L.A. Weekly)

The new green benches appearing around the city of L.A. are an improvement on the old brown ones, opines writer Alissa Walker. But many of the benches sit out in the sun with no shade — which means people waiting for the bus are often standing nearby in any shade that can be found. The benches, by the way, are provided by firms that sell outdoor advertising on them as a way to make money.

SGV Board backs completion of Highway 39 to Wrightwood (Whittier Daily News)

The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments voted to oppose Caltrans’ effort to permanently abandon the 4.4 miles of Highway 39 between Crystal Lake and the Angeles Crest Highway. That stretch has been closed since 1978 due to mudslides. My two cents: If 39 was open, it would be used by commuters between the high desert and the San Gabriel Valley and that, I fear, would be chaos and unsafe. This is a narrow, twisty road through the Angeles National Forest and the last thing it needs is more traffic.