The art of transit

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photo by Zach Behrens, via Twitter/Instagram

This might be one of my favorite “art of transits” of all-time. It’s local — Zach took the photo on the subway here in L.A. — and it’s personal and it’s different. The photo was taken with the iPhone’s Instagram app.

To submit a photo for the Art of Transit, post it to Metro’s Flickr group, email it to sourcemetro@gmail.com or Tweet it to @metrolosangeles with an #artoftransit hashtag. Many of the photos we’ve featured can be seen in these galleries on Flickr.

Transportation headlines, Wednesday, July 27

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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 blog.

Port of L.A. gets keys to first zero-emission truck (KPCC)

The movement of goods might not grab headlines like a new subway project, but L.A.’s ports — and the trucks that carry cargo to and from them — play a huge role in the local economy. They also a big contributor, however, to the region’s air pollution problems. So the arrival of a zero-emission truck is a welcome sight*, even if it’s just on a trial run for now. This isn’t your typical plug-in EV either; it has an on-board hydrogen fuel cell system that recharges the batteries on the fly, providing a 200-mile range. The $1-million truck, manufactured by Vision Industries, was paid for through a combination of port revenues and federal grants.

FAA in partial shutdown; air traffic unaffected (L.A. Times)

While Congress works to raise the national debt ceiling, it has let at least one important transportation issue fall by the wayside: funding the Federal Aviation Administration. Rest assured, air traffic controllers are still on watch, but thousands of FAA staff have been furloughed, and construction was halted on over $2 billion worth of construction projects. The lack of funding also means the FAA lost the authority to assess its typical taxes on airline tickets. According to the New York Times, airlines were quick to raise ticket prices to make up the difference. Yay!

Seeing L.A. in a way most natives never dare (L.A. Times)

Suffice it to say that if you’re reading this post, you’re probably a “daring native,” according to the L.A. Times headline writers. Reporter Nita Lelyveld profiled a family from Central California that regularly comes to Los Angeles to tour the city’s attractions via public transit. I appreciate that the author shows that one can — and many do — use transit for trips around L.A. However, I lament the fact that the title gives the impression that you have to be some sort of urban adventurer to figure out how to make transit work for you. It’s not that hard — millions of Angelenos do it. In fact, I’d be happy to let the Times profile me on my commute, but I suspect readers don’t want to hear about a twenty-something dude nodding off on the #10 Big Blue Bus.

*It took all my will-power not to say “breath of fresh air.”

Transit forecast for Wednesday, July 27

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For a complete list of planned service advisories please visit the Service Advisories page on Metro.net. And for the latest service alerts follow @MetroLAalerts on Twitter.

Lines 28, 66, 81, 439, 442, 450, 460, 728 & Silver Line

Due to NAACP March & Rally the listed lines will be on detour on Olympic Blvd. between Georgia St. & Figueroa St., on Figueroa St. between Olympic Blvd. & 9th St. and on 9th St. between Figueroa St. & Hope St.

For specific detour information please visit this page.

Dates: today only, 3:30-5:30pm.

Blue Line

After 8:15pm, Blue Line trains run every 30 minutes due to construction work for the future Expo Line.  Please see schedule here.

Dates: through Thursday.

Red Line

Due to track maintenance work after 8:30pm, trains from North Hollywood will depart up to 5 minutes later than regular schedule.

  • Inbound trains to Union Station will depart North Hollywood at 8:59pm, 9:19pm, 9:39pm, and every 20 minutes until 12:39am, and then 12:54am.  Times are approximate and subject to minor work related delays.
  • During this time, trains in both directions will share ONE track at Hollywood/Highland & Hollywood/Vine Stations.  Please check train destination signs and announcements before boarding.

Dates: through Thursday.

Green Line

Due to overhead power system maintenance between 9:15am and 2:00pm, eastbound trains will leave 10 minutes later than regular schedule.

  • Eastbound trains to Norwalk will depart Redondo Beach at 9:21am, 9:40am, 9:59am, 10:14am, 10:29am, 10:44am and every 15 minutes through 1:59pm, then 2:09pm and regular schedule.
  • Westbound trains to Redondo Beach will depart as scheduled.
  • During this time, trains in both directions will share ONE track at Hawthorne Station.  Please check train destination signs and announcements before boardin

Dates: through Friday.

Service advosories for Lines 156/656, 167, 169, 233, 761 after the jump.

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Federal budget bills could badly impact transpo funding

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It doesn’t take a genius to realize the haggling — a nice term — in Congress over raising the U.S. debt ceiling and huge federal budget cuts probably doesn’t bode well for many programs, such as transportation. That’s a bad thing, because transit agencies across the U.S. — including Metro — depend deeply on federal dollars for an array of needs.

Here’s the latest update from the ongoing brouha in Washington from Metro’s government relations staff:

Debt-Ceiling Negotiations In Washington, DC May Impact Future Federal Transportation Funds

Bills introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) to address the debt-ceiling facing the U.S. Treasury would not create separate discretionary categories for either federal highways and transit programs. The practical effect of this is that both highway and transit programs would have to struggle for discretionary budget authority under the overall caps established by both the Boehner and Reid bills.  The exact effect of eliminating the separate discretionary categories [which were enacted in 1998 by the U.S. Congress] for highways and transit is unclear, though it is fair to assume that the end result will be less robust federal transportation programs. Both bills would cap new budget discretionary spending through 2021.  We will continue to closely be engaged in discussions with Members of Congress to aggressively advocate for a strong federal commitment to both its highway and transit programs.

Gilbert "Magu" Luján

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Magu Lujan (left) working on Hooray for Hollywood in 1997.

With great sadness, Metro Art shares the news of the passing of artist Gilbert “Magu” Luján. Magu’s 1999 installation Hooray for Hollywood at the Hollywood/Vine Metro Rail Station was a collaboration with the architect Miralles Associates, and is on view for all to enjoy. A benefit and exhibition of his work is planned at the dA Center for the Arts in Pomona from August 13th to the 30th.

As Peter Clothier wrote in The Huffington Post just days before Magu’s passing, “The pioneering social work for which Magu is widely known proceeds from his creative energy, the art work. His efforts as an emerging artist and student in the master’s program at the University of California, Irvine in 1960s and the early 1970s changed the course of art history. Famously, at that time, he brought together Los Four — along with himself, the artists Carlos Almaraz, Frank Romero and Beto de la Rocha — who breached the sober, Euro-centric walls of academia and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art with the exuberant artistic energy that had been gathering on the streets — and particularly the walls — of East Los Angeles . . . In the constellation of our contemporary culture, Gilbert “Magu” Lujan occupies a unique and vitally important place.”

More about Magu:

 

 

State law clears way for Metro's new Transit Court

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Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill into law, AB 426 (by Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal), that clarifies existing state law and allows Metro to go ahead and establish its own Transit Court. The Court is for Metro patrons cited for violating the agency’s Code of Conduct, including rules against fare evasion.

At present, Metro customers who want to appeal citations must go to Superior Court, an onerous process for customers and the courts alike. Once Metro’s Transit Court is established — it will be at Metro headquarters next to L.A. Union Station — appeals will instead go there. The court is scheduled to begin later this year. Please keep in mind that most citations will not require a court appearance.

Here’s a recent Metro staff report that provides some background on Transit Court and information about a new contract to the private firm ACS to process citations. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will continue to patrol Metro’s bus and rail lines and enforce the Code of Conduct.

Go Metro to the X Games

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Here’s the news release from Metro:

Go Metro to the ESPN X Games July 28-31

The ESPN X Games are taking over Staples Center this weekend with adrenaline filled performances. Go Metro and see your favorite athletes like Shaun White, Travis Pastrana, Brian Deegan, and Tanner Foust go head to head in four action-packed days, beginning July 28 through 31.

Show your valid Metro pass or Metro Rail ticket to the X Games Sustainability Booth and receive a free X Games branded reusable bag (while supplies last).

Fans can easily get to the Staples Center via the Metro Blue Line Pico/Chick Hearn Station. It’s a short 5- to 10-minute walk from the station to Staples Center. To plan your trip call 323.GO.METRO or visit metro.net and click on the Trip Planner.

To learn more about this event and for the full schedule visit xgames.com

photo by LadyDucayne, via Flickr