Tag Archives: El Monte station

New artist opportunities at El Monte Station

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View of artwork location at transit bay concourse wall. Each panel measures approximately 8’ x 8’ (there are four identical bays with four identically sized panels).

View of artwork location at El Monte Station transit bay concourse wall. Each panel measures approximately 8’ x 8’ (there are four identical bays with four identically sized panels).

Metro is seeking four artists for El Monte Station. 

The two-level El Monte Station opened in 2012, and is located at the corner of Santa Anita Avenue and Ramona Boulevard in El Monte, 12 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The station provides transit service on numerous lines for Metro, Foothill Transit, LAX FlyAway airport shuttle and Greyhound and serves over 18,000 customers a day. A bus rapid transit service, the Silver Line connects all Metro Rail lines.

Artwork opportunities have been identified for the concourse level walls at each of the station’s four transit bays.

For complete details and information regarding submittal requirements, download the Call to Artists and ARRA Requirements.

Deadline:  Monday, May 6, 2013

Other actions taken today by the Metro Board of Directors: contract to buy new buses, TVMs for El Monte Station

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Here are a few other items of interest tackled at today’s meeting of the full Metro Board of Directors:

•The Board approved a $302-million contract with New Flyer of America for the purchase of 550 new 40-foot buses powered by compressed natural gas. Staff report (pdf)

•The Board approved a contract modification up to $610,000 with Cubic Transportation Systems for the purchase and installation of four ticket vending machines for the El Monte Transit Center. Staff report (pdf)

•The Board approved a series of contract modifications totaling about $13.5 million with outside firms, including URS Corporation, for continued work on the I-710 South Corridor Project’s environmental studies. Staff report (pdf)

•The Board approved giving Metro the authority to enter into an exclusive negotiating agreement with three developers seeking to build a mixed-use project that would partially occupy Metro-owned land adjacent to the Red Line’s Vermont/Sunset Station. Staff report (pdf)

Metro staff proposes installing four ticket vending machines at new El Monte Station

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El Monte TVM staff report by

The Metro Board of Directors will be holding its committee meetings today and Thursday. I’m going through the agendas and will post staff reports and proposals that I think will be of the most interest to readers.

This one certainly qualifies. It’s a proposal by staff to install four ticket vending machines at the new El Monte Station. This is something that several Source readers requested after the station opened last fall as the machines are a convenient way to purchase TAP cards or replenish them without having to go online or go out of your way.

The final decision on the machines will be made by the full Metro Board at their regular monthly meeting on Jan. 24.

 

Transportation headlines, Thursday, Jan. 3

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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.

For the record: gasoline was most expensive in 2012 (Wall Street Journal) 

The national average of $3.60 a gallon was the highest ever in the United States, besting the $3.51 average of 2011. The average in California was $4.03 a gallon in 2012. Perhaps it’s no surprise then that the Prius has become the top-selling car in the state.

Connecting the Rio Hondo Bikeway to El Monte Station (Pasadena Star-News) 

Staff writer Steve Scauzillo says that it makes no sense for the Rio Hondo Bikeway — a major artery for cyclists — to pass so close to the new El Monte Station but without a connection to it. In fact, there’s a fence between. Scauzillo has a couple suggestions on fixing it and says he’s joining the advocacy group Bike SGV in fighting for a connection.

A view of the Rio Hondo Bikeway and the old El Monte station from Google Maps.

A view of the Rio Hondo Bikeway and the old El Monte station from Google Maps.

A monorail on the Sunset Strip and other visions of L.A.’s future (Curbed LA)

Fun post with some whimsical views of a future L.A. I’m not so sure about the monorails, but I like the rewilding of the Venice Canals!

Bus here yet? Check the monitor! (Portland Tribune)

A streetcar-adjacent pub in Portland has added a nice feature: a wall-mounted computer monitor showing when the next streetcar will arrive at a stop outside the bar. The owner of the bar added the monitor after observing that many customers were leaving about the same time that streetcars were arriving.

25 years later, San Jose light rail among the worst (Oroville Mercury Register) 

The light rail serving San Jose and surrounding area was built assuming a lot of development would occur along the tracks. It didn’t entirely happen, the reason that ridership has continued to suffer. Transit officials argue that without the light rail system congestion on area freeways would jump by six percent — and traffic is already pretty bad because of San Jose’s sprawling nature. Interesting read.

How Avis will ruin Zipcar (Washington Post)

Badly, according to the Washington Post, which foresees the hip culture of Zipcar being consumed by the broader corporate culture of Avis. They also think there are some antitrust issues.

Pinnacles National Monument set to become a National Park (L.A. Times)

We talk a lot about cities on The Source, so here’s a breather — the Senate approved elevating Pinnacles National Monument in Northern California to a National Park. That would be the ninth national park in California. The Times fails to note this interesting fact: The Golden State and Alaska currently have the most parks, with eight apiece, although there’s more acreage in the vast Alaska parks than here. Park photos via Google.

Still, it’s nice to see we’ll be tops if President Obama signs the Pinnacles bill. Think about it. The nation’s most populous state will still have 6.28 million acres in national parks, not to mention the millions of acres of land owned by the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management and California State Parks.

El Monte Busway closed for construction this weekend between downtown L.A. and El Monte Station

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Due to Metro ExpressLanes construction, the El Monte Busway will be closed from Alameda St to El Monte Station from 10 p.m. Friday, Nov.2, through 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5.

All buses will use the general purpose lanes on the I-10 Fwy during this time. All buses at the LAC-USC Medical Center and Cal State LA stations will board at street level locations. Metro will augment service with additional buses in order to minimize passenger delays and inconvenience. For more information, go to the “construction notices” tab at metro.net/expresslanes.

After the  jump, here is the construction notice issued by Metro: Continue reading →

Canopy design and sun protection at the new El Monte Station

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Click above to see larger.

I received an email earlier this week from a rider asking about the canopies on the upper level of the new El Monte Station and whether they would afford much protection from the sun and the elements.

It’s a good question — and one that Metro staff considered when designing the new station. I wanted to post the above graphic from Metro because I think it demonstrates that the new station wasn’t just assembled to look good. Function played a big role.

As for sun protection, the issue at El Monte is similar to many other Metro bus stops and rail stations. The sun obviously moves around a lot in the course of a day and year, meaning shade will move, too. I’ve found most Metro shade canopies to be sufficient.

One other point worth making: I know there is concern among some readers about bus bay assignments at El Monte Station. They’re not written in stone. It’s a new facility and Metro staff, along with other agencies using the station, can make changes if necessary and staff have spent the past week reviewing the station and getting feedback from customers.

It's opening day for new El Monte Station

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The lower level at the new station. Photo by Steve Hymon/Metro.

Patrons waiting for buses at the new station. Photo by Steve Hymon/Metro.

I was over at the new El Monte Station earlier this morning and a steady trickle of patrons are arriving at the new facility. The ribbon cutting on the station occurred earlier this week but it’s great to see VITs — Very Important Taxpayers — using the new station.

So far, the few folks I talked to seem to like the facility. And it has to be said: patrons definitely seemed interested in checking out the new restroom facilities!

If headed to El Monte Station today or tomorrow and have questions, please see one of the many Metro greeters who are staffing the station — they’re the ones wearing the yellow vests. They’re glad to help you find your bus on either the lower or upper level.

Also, there are plenty of signs around the station showing where to find different buses — the signage and the maps are good. The Silver Line — one of the more popular buses that stops at the station — uses Bay 22 on the Upper Level. Here’s the map of the new facility:

Click above to see larger image.

Ready to roll: El Monte Station opens this Sunday

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Time Piece: Iconic sculpture by Donald Lipski frames the entrance to the new El Monte Station, which opens to the public this Sunday. Photo by Luis Inzunza.

Time Piece: Iconic sculpture by Donald Lipski frames the entrance to the new El Monte Station, which opens to the public this Sunday. Photo by Luis Inzunza.

The new El Monte Station opens for business this Sunday, at 2:24 a.m. to be exact. From then on, it’s a 24/7 operation.

The world’s most beautiful bus station, some say, is twice the size of the old facility and has cool stuff including variable message signs, intercoms, closed circuit television, solar panels, wayfinding equipment and information displays, new elevators and escalators, a transit store, bike stations and lockers, and the iconic sculpture by Donald Lipski entitled “Time Piece.”

Starting opening day, all categories of Foothill Transit 31-Day passes and Metro 30-Day, 7-Day or Day passes will be accepted on either Metro Silver Line buses or Foothill Silver Streak buses, and riders paying cash will pay the same fare ($2.45, one way) no matter which bus they take.

New El Monte Station adds 13 new bus bays, increasing the total number of bus bays to 29. Check the variable message signs to see what bus is arriving at which bay at what time. Photo by Gary Leonard

New El Monte Station adds 13 new bus bays, increasing the total number of bus bays to 29. Check the variable message signs to see what bus is arriving at which bay at what time. Photo by Gary Leonard

ElMonteSta Bus Bays

Patrons wanting to travel on the El Monte Busway can just board the first bus to arrive — Metro Silver Line or Silver Streak — show their fare media from either Metro or Foothill Transit and be on their way.

Ready to roll: Silver Line bus pulls into the El Monte Bus Station. Photo by Gary Leonard.

Ready to roll: Silver Line bus pulls into the El Monte Bus Station. Photo by Gary Leonard.

Metro Silver Line buses operate every 5-10 minutes during morning and afternoon peak periods, every 15 minutes midday and every 60 minutes late at night. The Metro Silver Line travels from El Monte Station to the Artesia Transit Center, with several stops in downtown Los Angeles.

The Foothill Transit Silver Streak operates approximately every 10 to 20 minutes during morning and afternoon peak periods, every 20 minutes midday and every 60 minutes late at night. The Silver Streak travels from Montclair Transit Center to downtown Los Angeles.

For more information on this new easy and convenient fare arrangement, including cash and pass fares, visit foothilltransit.org/silverstreak or metro.net/silverline.

Iconic sculpture watches over new El Monte Station

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Time Piece, a sculpture designed by Donald Lipski for the new El Monte Station, which includes three double sided clocks, and is suspended by a network of cables from a 30 foot tall stainless steel arch.

An iconic, large-scale sculpture by Donald Lipski is installed at Metro’s new El Monte Station, which is opening Oct. 14!

Click here for a Source post documenting the installation of this artwork, and here for more information on Donald Lipski’s work.

Read the full press release:

Iconic Sculpture Watches over new El Monte Station

   

      An iconic sculpture by Donald Lipski will welcome transit riders at the new El Monte Station, set to open to the public on October 14. A project of Metro’s art program, the artwork provides an aesthetic and contextual landmark at the newly expanded bus hub.

      Lipski, whose monumental works of art inhabit public environments throughout the United States, created a clock tower–with a twist. Entitled Time Piece, the artwork incorporates three traditional clocks within a highly contemporary framework. The functional, double-sided clocks are minimally suspended from a sweeping, 30-foot tall stainless steel arch using a web of thin stainless steel cables. The clocks are internally illuminated and in total provide six clock faces. Each clock weighs a hefty 350 lbs.

Lipski’s take on a modern-day clock tower was inspired by visits toEl Monte, and by imagining the hustle and bustle at the new transit hub.

      “As the busiest bus station west of Chicago, and as a new hub of civic activity and development, the new terminal demanded something bold, memorable and dynamic,” Lipski said. “Having a vertical artwork as a focus will add immeasurably to creating a gathering place in the plaza.”

      “Lipski’s work grabs the attention of our customers as they enter or exit the station,” said Maya Emsden, Deputy Executive Officer at Metro, “and his playful use of traditional clocks in this uniquely eye-catching arrangement has become an instant icon for the area.”

      For centuries, clock towers have been prized civic monuments and meeting places, particularly at transit hubs. Time Piece pays homage to this tradition but is updated to contemporary times and the specific context of the bold, modern architecture of the new facility.       One side of the clock faces, as customers enter the bus terminal, is modern and says “Metro.” The opposite clock faces, as customers leave the station says “El Monte” and incorporates the city seal. All six clock faces display the same exact time. 

       Donald Lipski is an internationally renowned sculptor with works represented in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), theWalkerArtCenter(Minneapolis), and the Chicago Institute of Art and has received the coveted Rome Prize from theAmericanAcademy inRome. 

      The clocks were manufactured by The Verdin Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. A maker of clocks and bells, which has been operated by six generations of the Verdin family since 1842. Assembly for all the sculptural components, the arch and the clocks was completed by JunoWorks, a specialty metal fabricator with a history of uniquely creative projects. Artwork installation at the station plaza was provided by KPRS Construction Services, Inc. with oversight from the artist, JunoWorks and Metro Art staff.

 

El Monte Station
Built in the 1970s, the original transit center was the busiest bus-only station west of theMississippi. The station was demolished to make way for a new two-level station, doubling its previous size and will accommodate up to 40,000 daily riders. The new station has modern amenities including variable message signs, intercoms, closed circuit television, solar panels, wayfinding equipment and information displays, new elevators and escalators, a transit store, bike stations and lockers.

 

Metro Art Program

From rail and bus stations to transit facilities, construction fences and poetry cards, Metro Art enriches the transit environment and contributes to the artistic vibrancy of the neighborhoods we serve. Metro commissions artists to create engaging artworks that make the journey more inviting and pleasurable for transit users. The artworks mirrorLos AngelesCounty’s rich contemporary and popular cultures.

 

Established in 1989, the Metro Art program has commissioned over 300 artists for a wide variety of temporary and permanent projects. Artists are selected through a peer review process with community input. All works are created specifically for their transit-related sites. Metro’s public art policy allocates one half of one percent of project construction costs for art.

 

More information and free docent guided tours:  visit metro.net/art or call 213/922-4ART
Artwork copyrighted, all rights reserved.

 

To request images of artwork for publication please email zellerh@metro.net.

 

Metro Silver Line and Foothill Silver Streak riders can soon ride either line, using the same ticket and paying the same fare

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The new program begins Sunday, when the new El Monte Station is open to the public. Here’s the news release from Metro:

When was the last time something actually became easier? Soon transit riders will be able to hop aboard either the Metro Silver Line or the Foothill Transit Silver Streak using the same ticket or paying the same fare for travel between the brand new El Monte Station and downtown Los Angeles.

Metro and Foothill Transit have teamed up to offer this new easy and convenient combined service for all Silver Line and Silver Streak riders, as part of a one-year demonstration program. Beginning Sunday, Oct. 14, when the new El Monte Station opens, all categories of Foothill Transit 31-Day passes and Metro 30-Day, 7-Day or Day passes will be accepted on either Metro Silver Line buses or Foothill Silver Streak buses, and riders paying cash will pay the same fare ($2.45, one way) no matter which bus they take.

Patrons wanting to travel on the El Monte Busway can just board the first bus to arrive — Metro Silver Line or Silver Streak — show their fare media from either Metro or Foothill Transit and be on their way.

Metro Silver Line buses operate every 5-10 minutes during morning and afternoon peak periods, every 15 minutes midday and every 60 minutes late at night. The Metro Silver Line travels from El Monte Station to the Artesia Transit Center, with several stops in downtown Los Angeles. The Foothill Transit Silver Streak operates approximately every 10 to 20 minutes during morning and afternoon peak periods, every 20 minutes midday and every 60 minutes late at night. The Silver Streak travels from Montclair Transit Center to downtown Los Angeles.

For more information on this new easy and convenient fare arrangement, including cash and pass fares, visit foothilltransit.org/silver or metro.net/silverline.