The final Metro Board of Directors meeting of the year was a low-key affair. Perhaps of the most interest to everyday riders were motions approved concerning restrooms at stations, parking at stations and fare evasion along the Orange Line — more about those in this previous post.
Here are some of the actions taken today:
•On consent, the Board approved a $1.64-million contract with STV/Parsons Brinckerhoff for consulting services to help draw up specifications for the eventual procurement for new subway cars.
•On consent, the Board approved a new policy to govern requests from cities, third parties and other stakeholders for changes to transportation projects after they have been approved by the Board. The gist of the new policy: the modifications should not delay the project or increase its budget unless funding is identified. This one falls under the wonky but important category as a lot of these requests do come in after project construction is underway.
•On consent, the Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding between Metro and Los Angeles World Airports for changes to the Crenshaw/LAX Line’s Aviation/Century project that could help improve connections to future airport facilities such as a consolidated rental car facility or a people mover:
•On consent, the Board approved a $6.17-million contract with ARINC, Inc. to provide a new computer software and hardware that provide “centralized control and/or monitoring of train movement, traction and auxiliary power, fire detection and suppression, gas detection, emergency tunnel and ancillary ventilation” and other communication systems.
•The Board voted to approve a motion asking Metro staff to report back on the feasibility of establishing a living wage for landscape and irrigation maintenance workers contracted by Metro. The motion was by Metro Board Members Eric Garcetti, Paul Krekorian, Gloria Molina andJacquelyn Dupont-Walker.
•The Board voted to approve a motion for Metro staff to report back on Orange Line fare evasion and actions that may be taken to increase the number of people who tap their TAP cards before boarding the bus. The motion was by Board Members Paul Krekorian and Zev Yaroslavsky.
•On consent, the Board approved a motion for Metro staff to study and report back on installing bathrooms at the Orange Line’s Pierce College station and potentially at other transit stations. The motion was by Board Members Michael Antonovich, Eric Garcetti, Paul Krekorian and Zev Yaroslavsky.
•The Board voted to approve a motion for Metro staff to study ways to potentially expand vehicle and bike parking at the Red Line’s North Hollywood and Universal City/Studio City stations, as well as improving connectivity to the stations. The motion was by Board Members Eric Garcetti, Paul Krekorian and Zev Yaroslavsky.
Categories: Policy & Funding, Projects
I distinctly recall when the last two Red Line stations were nearly ready to open to the public, there was a quote from an MTA official in a local newspaper. He explained there was limited parking by design, to encourage people to take the bus to the subway station, and leave their cars at home. My first thought was wow, that’s not going to work very well, not if you want to encourage more affluent people to get on the subway every day. You don’t create change in personal habits by trying to pretend that L.A. is compact like SF or NYC, where it’s easy to choose public transportation, because it’s convenient to get from home to the nearest bus stop or subway terminal.
[…] What Happened at the Metro Board of Directors Meeting Yesterday (The Source) […]
I would hope Metro will get at least 40 years out of the Subway cars, considering they don’t run in revenue service outdoors. And while they are at it, perhaps staff should research what it would take to install turnstiles at every bus stop, since I am certain the transit never-riders will be proposing that soon enough; surely one of their constituents has already complained that it is possible to board a bus without paying the fare given that there is no barrier to stop scoreless.
Steve, Getting to LAX Airport is already a hassle by public transport as it is, I would highly recommend a North-South RAPID High-Speed Train Line alongside the 405 freeway from the Valley to LAX and Torrance with stops at Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, Getty Center, UCLA, Olympic, Pico(Transfer to EXPO Line to Santa Monica), Palms, Venice, Culver City, Fox Hills Westfield Culver City Mall, Westchester, Manchester and LAX!! there’s already way too much traffic on the 405 freeway!! We need to get up to speed with other cities in America and around the world Investing in Public Infrastructure= Less Time wasted stuck in Traffic and more productivity and better American Economy
When will LA Metro MTA have a direct connection to LAX International Airport Terminals 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and International? By 2020? We should take San Francisco International SFO as a great example of what’s needed here in LA!! The BART Bay Area Rapid Transport connects to the international terminal and there is Air Train Automated People Mover shuttle which stops at Terminals 1,2,3 and International. The London Underground Picadilly Line connects directly to LHR Heathrow Airport Terminals 1,2,3, and 5
What would the eventuality of new subway cars be? In time for 2023 purple line ext or more like UCLA/VA in 2078?
Hi Guttersnipe;
Not sure about exact timing but the Purple Line’s first phase (Wilshire/Western to Wilshire/La Cienega) is forecast to open in 2023 and the staff report mentions that as being one of the reasons that new cars will be needed.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
My bladder thanks you. And if a Sanisette is too high-tech, there’s always the “Portland Loo.”
Hi James;
Perhaps your bladder speaks too soon! The motion approved today only requests a study and more information. To be determined: loo or no loo.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source