Update, Friday, June 12: Gold Line will run every 20 minutes between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. while maintenance work is done. Trains will share 1 track at Highland Park Station. In addition, trains will run every 15 minutes between Union Station and Pasadena after 8 p.m.
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Update, June 11, 8:45 a.m.: Maintenance work scheduled on the Metro Gold Line has been cancelled again today due to inclement weather conditions. All trains have resumed normal service operating approximately every 12 minutes. The work taking place tomorrow, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. still remains as scheduled.
Metro would again like to thank all customers affected by the service changes that have occurred this week as the work is essential to the overall improvement of Gold Line rail service.
For minute-to-minute status updates and transportation news, please visit us here at the Source or follow us on Twitter @metrolosangeles or @metrolalerts.
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Update, June 10, 6 p.m.: Although morning/midday maintenance was cancelled this Wednesday, June 10, on the Metro Gold Line, repair work resumes Thursday and Friday, June 11 and 12. Customers should please prepare for the following modifications to Gold Line service levels:
- On Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., trains will arrive every 20 minutes along the entire Gold Line, sharing one track at Highland Park Station. During this time, Metro operations will run as many three-car trains as possible, to accommodate more passengers per trip. Please listen to station announcements or follow our service alerts @metrolosangeles or @metrolaalerts for boarding instructions as each train arrives.
- Thursday evening after 8 p.m., the Gold Line will run every 15 minutes between Union Station and Pasadena through close, as opposed to the usual 10. Trains will share one track at Allen Station.
- On Friday, the scheduled morning/midday maintenance will begin an hour later, at 9 a.m., to lessen the impact on rush hour. Trains will arrive every 20-25 minutes until approximately 2:30 p.m. There is no evening maintenance scheduled for Friday night, but repair work will continue next week.
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There’s no good way to say this, Gold Line riders: this week, off-peak service between Pasadena and Union Station will be impacted by multiple maintenance projects beginning as early as 8 a.m.
As many riders may have guessed, the maintenance is related to the damaged overhead wires that resulted in delays and emergency repairs on the Gold Line this past April.
That multiple-day disruption prompted a comprehensive inspection of the entire Gold Line’s overhead power supply system. A prematurely frayed tension cable was found to be the root of the problem. Other segments of the line were noted to be at similar risk. Since that time, Metro has been replacing a number of the tension wires on the Gold Line and other smaller, related components that exhibit signs of wear.
All told, the necessary repairs are predicted to take until August to complete — and maybe longer. Maintenance is scheduled on weekdays during off-peak hours, when it is easiest and safest for trains to bypass works zones. While this is still inconvenient for many, if we do not prioritize this work and an element identified as “weak” fails, the impact on Gold Line service and customers would be much greater.
With all that said, here are the schedule changes to be aware of this coming week. (You can also find this information on our Service Advisories page, along with planned departure times from Sierra Madre Villa, Atlantic and Union Station.)
- Sunday through Thursday, Jun 7 through 11, after 8 p.m., the Gold Line will run every 15 minutes between Union Station and Pasadena (as opposed to the usual 10). Trains will share one track at Allen Station.
- Monday and Tuesday, Jun 8 and 9, from 8 a.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m., trains along the entire Gold Line will arrive every 25 minutes and share one track between Lincoln/Cypress and Southwest Museum Station.
- Thursday, Jun 11, from 8 a.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m., trains will run every 20 minutes, sharing one track at Highland Park Station.
- Friday, Jun 12, from 9 a.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m., the Gold Line will operate every 25 minutes.
Before signing off, we’d like to thank everyone whose commutes will be affected by these service changes for their understanding. As construction is a dynamic process, please check in with us here at The Source or on Twitter @metrolosangeles or @metrolaalerts, for any updates before you start your trip.
Categories: Service Alerts
Gary,
“Oh, great, make profit the driving force for transit. Have you been on an airliner lately?”
I do and I fly frequently so I am well versed in the hassles of travel.
Looking at the ineptness of the TSA, the last thing I want is American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Airlines all taken over by the US government. Socialized airlines into a government monopoly? Ugh. They would start doing illogical things like a transcontinental flight from LAX-JFK will cost $700 while a relatively short-haul flight from LAX-SFO to also cost the same $700. Don’t tell me they won’t do that; that’s exactly how Metro operates under the flat rate system: same price whether you’re going from Long Beach to DTLA or from Koreatown to DTLA.
Much as I hate the hassles of air travel, I’d rather keep competition alive between private companies and let choice happen. It’s not really my problem people don’t know how to pack their bags light and don’t need their entire closet for a weekend vacation that adds up to weight of the airlines to use more jet fuel.
I don’t see any problem with other private modes of transportation like Uber, Lyft, Greyhound, Megabus, taxi cabs or hired limos. I don’t see problem with the JR Shinkansen or the privatized buses and transit systems of Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul and Singapore as well.
And I certainly see nothing wrong with public vs. private competition taking shape. I already do that today between choosing a dinky commuter jet versus a comfortable Amtrak ride for relatively short trips like LA to San Diego and Boston to NY Penn Station.
It offers people more choices in getting around, one without using tax dollars and one subsidized with tax dollars, and it’ll be left to the free market to decide which is better. Competition is good for consumers. That’s why we have American Airlines vs. United Airlines, Amtrak vs. dinky commuter jets, Coca-Cola vs Pepsi, Apple vs. Microsoft vs. Google, Facebook vs. Twitter, Carl’s Jr. vs In ‘N Out, Coffee Bean vs. Starbucks, so why not Metro vs. Leap?
No, study your history, “Just a Person”. The Gold Line from Los Angeles Union Station to Sierra Madre Villa Station was built by the entity that is now called the Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority.
“The Metro Gold Line was constructed by the Los Angeles to Pasadena Metro Blue Line Construction Authority.”:
http://www.metro.net/news/simple_pr/mta-poised-open-los-angeles-pasadena-metro-gold-li/
What corners were cut by them?
Rail service is slashed during the midday for maintenance, but at least bus alternatives are relatively frequent. Night rail service may be excessively frequent (operating every 10 minutes) but connecting buses operate hourly, so that’s the tradeoff. I’d have more frequent night bus service and drop rail service back to 20 minutes to allow for necessary maintenance during those hours.
I would also appreciate the maintenance to start after 9am! I don’t really mind going home late but it really sucks to be late to work. Longer trains would also be nice! Thanks!
Or, they can just do something like this where all the seats are folded up to maximize standing space until a certain time.
https://youtu.be/JiuOngYKocA
Least they could do is run longer trains!
Is the gold line interrupted more than other lines? And can’t you make your trip planner reflect these interruptions if you know they are coming?
Less frequent trains means more riders per train. WHY DON’T THEY PUT ON EXTRA CARS?. My southbound train was packed and standing-room-only by Del Mar station this morning, and it only got worse as we moved towards downtown. We were turning away riders by Highland Park. This maintenance effort was not thoughtfully managed.
1. 8am weekdays is not off peak service.
2. Run extra long trains when service will be impacted.
3. Have more respect for your riders. Train operators screaming stand clear is not helpful.
Government controls the mass transit monopoly. Why should they care? You’re paying for it through your taxes whether they have poor service and you’re going to be reliant on them whether they do a good job or not.
Of course, if you’re idea is that these problems will be fixed by throwing more of your tax dollars at them, be my guest.
The alternative idea is to let competition take shape. Nothing wrong with a little healthy competition between public and private mass transit. Too bad government says you can’t have that either; the authority that regulates who can or cannot run transit would like government to keep their monopoly so they can continue to dine at $250-per-plate dinner parties paid for by taxpayers.
http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Leap-Transit-shut-down-by-the-state-for-operating-6276298.php
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Furor-over-250-a-head-fundraiser-honoring-6076084.php
Oh, great, make profit the driving force for transit. Have you been on an airliner lately?
You do realize that’s how Asian mass transit operates, right? For profit?
Why do you think they have way better mass transportation systems than we can ever imagine?
Interesting that the times are 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. would appear to be less disruptive to me since, theoretically both ends would be out of rush hour but what do I know?
So is this a result of any reckless cost-savings by the “On Time/Under Budget” crowd at the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority? Is the actual Metro Los Angeles making sure this isn’t going to happen again to the Pasadena to Azusa line?
This is along the bas segment of the Gold Line. Therefore the ‘Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority’ can’t be responsible for it.
I wonder why Metro prioritizes late night rail service over daytime service. Service every 25 minutes during the daytime after 8am and every 15 minutes after 8pm. I think late night service is more frequent even on the normal (non-maintenance) schedules for all the rail lines.
You’re right John! It is more frequent at every 20 minutes. Metro not prioritizing daily riders is bad business. Next article will be about how Metro is increasing ridership. Not with this kind of service and poor decision making.