Bus shuttles will replace Blue Line trains between Artesia and Del Amo Station this weekend, beginning Friday at 9 p.m. through Sunday close of service. Crews will be on the tracks between the two stations, performing refurbishment work related to the Blue Line Upgrade Project. The following weekend, work will move to Florence Station for the final time, before moving north to the stations closest to downtown L.A.
Here’s what you can expect while bus shuttles are in effect: southbound Blue Line trains will return north to 7th Street/Metro Center at Artesia, and trains originating in Downtown Long Beach Station will travel only as far north as Del Amo. Customers wishing to travel between Artesia and Del Amo will need to board Metro bus shuttles (marked as “Blue Line Shuttle”) in order to do so, and should allow extra time to complete their trip.
In addition to the bus shuttles between Artesia and Del Amo, work this weekend will require the following changes to Metro Blue and Expo Line service levels. (These changes are also posted on our Planned Service Advisories page.) Please note that due to the dynamic nature of construction, the below schedule may be subject to work-related delays.
To begin, this Friday after 8:30 p.m., Blue Line will run every 20 minutes between 7th St/Metro Center and Artesia, and every 15 minutes between Del Amo and Downtown Long Beach Station. Expo Line will operate every 12 minutes until close, beginning at approximately 8 p.m., but trains will not arrive at their regularly-scheduled times.
On both Saturday and Sunday, Blue Line trains will run every 20 minutes between 7th St/Metro Center and Artesia, and every 15 minutes between Del Amo and Downtown Long Beach Station. Expo Line trains will arrive every 12 minutes throughout the day.
As many are already aware, adjustments to Blue Line service this year have been, and will continue to be, necessary for the completion of the Blue Line Upgrades project, a $1.2-billion overhaul including station improvements, track replacement/refurbishment, and even, eventually, new rail cars. Upgrades are already complete at stations between 103rd St/Watts Towers and the Long Beach Loop, and will continue to move north along the Blue Line throughout 2015. The estimated wrap-up date for the entire project is late summer.
That being said, Metro recognizes that these service changes can be, simply put, a pain, and would like to say thank you to all affected customers. The end goal to keep in mind is a safer, more reliable and updated Metro Blue Line for years to come. Please check back here at The Source, or follow us @metrolosangeles or@metrolaalerts for the latest Blue Line service updates.
Categories: Service Alerts