Update 11:45 p.m.: repairs to the overhead wire have been completed and test trains are now traveling through incident area. There will be normal Blue Line service on Wednesday, March 16.
Update 7:45 p.m.: Blue Line every 20 minutes, with trains sharing one track between Florence and Willowbrook Station. Crews are working to repair overhead wire.
Update 6:30 p.m.: service restored to one track, bus shuttles continue to supplement train service through rush hours.
Update 5:22 p.m.: bus shuttles replace trains between Florence and Willowbrook as emergency repairs to restore power to tracks continue.
Rail service on the Metro Blue Line is currently suspended between Florence and Willowbrook Station due to damaged overhead power wires near Florence Station. All northbound trains are traveling as far as Willowbrook Station and turning back to Long Beach. Southbound trains are traveling to Florence Station and returning to 7th Street/Metro Center.
Bus shuttles have been requested to transport customers between Florence and Willowbrook until the incident is cleared. To avoid delays, customers are encouraged to use alternate routes or the Green Line and Silver Line. For up-to-the-minute status updates, follow Metro on Twitter @metrolosangeles or @metroLAalerts.
Categories: Service Alerts
Gee, I don’t recall the P.E. having these kind of problems on any of their lines over the years including the one to Long Beach.
The upgrades at the stations have been greatly appreciated. I look forward to additional upgrades at the Willowbrook Station related to Pedestrian friendly walkways at/near the stations.
There are so many miles on the Blue Line and you don’t realize the maintenance required to run the system until there are problems. It has been really frustrating recently, as there have been daily issues relating to service during rush hour these past several weeks. Many riders don’t have the option of using alternate routes (depending on the stations/locations effected).
Susan – I’m also glad it wasn’t 95 degrees (and humid)!
So, HOW MANY BREAKDOWNS has this Blue Line had since it was allegedly “upgraded”? And WHO is responsible for it being even more DEFECTIVE THEN IT WAS BEFORE? And the MTA wants a sales tax INCREASE AND EXTENSION BECAUSE WHY AGAIN? To EXTEND THIS DEFECTIVE LIGHT-RAIL SYSTEM EVEN FURTHER, RIGHT?
You almost need everything to happen perfectly to get 2/3. Measure R squeaked by only due to record turnout, the specter of a recession (and the jobs that project construction would create) and a relatively light ballot. Measure “R2” will have the specter of crowded trains on the Expo and Gold Line opening, periodic failures on Metro Rail, “Risk Allocation Matrix” driven service cuts that reduce reliability by cutting “slack” in the system (like cutting the 460 which would have been an option for Blue Line riders destined to Norwalk), and be at the end of a 20 measure-plus ballot to boot. I wish Metro staff the best of luck trying to sell this, because it will be like climbing Mount Wilson on one leg – possible but a long, long slog.
So what do you propose as a solution atheisticallyyours? It’s easy to maintain “keyboard commando” status and hurl insults and complaints anonymously, but how about some REAL solutions!
So what do you propose as a solution atheisticallyyours? It’s easy to maintain “keyboard commando” status and hurls insults and complaints anonymously, but how about suggesting some REAL solutions?!
And as for upgrades to the Blue Line, there have been improvements made to the passenger stations, to 52 of the older Nippon Sharyo railcars, as well as many track improvements. All power substations were replaced, but NO upgrades to the overhead catenary system have been made. All this info was found within a two minute search here on “THE Source” and Google.
Anna Chen, what damaged the overhead wires?
Hi,
The cause will be investigated after repairs are completed.
Anna Chen
Writer, The Source
It’s events like this along the Blue Line that make me not want the regional connector. Once the Gold Line and Blue Line are connected, you can bet there will be many inconveniences along the Gold Line because of whatever issue occurs on the Blue Line, which as of now is a daily occurrence. I’m just personally glad I have no reason to use that line.
Take the Silver LIne to the Green Line. Board the Blue Line South at Wilmington Station.
Remember when Metro spent $1 Billion on a “Better Blue Line”? I do because I remember taking the bus shuttles every weekend last summer. Funny now because the Blue Line is still horribly unreliable, and Metro wants another sales tax increase when it can’t even handle weekday rush hour after 25 years of operation.
What do you expect from the MTA? Competence? Tax-dollars WELL SPENT?
how do we get silver line to downtown LB?
Hi Susan,
Depending on where you’re starting, you could take the Silver Line and transfer to the Green Line at Harbor Freeway, then transfer back to Blue Line at Willowbrook to travel to Long Beach. Or it might be easier to take the Silver Line to San Pedro and transfer to a Long Beach Transit bus. You can use Trip Planner at metro.net for more route options. Hope this helps.
Thank you,
Anna Chen
Writer, The Source
Not looking forward to my usual commute on the Silver Line tonight. It is already over crowded. The Silver Line should be free (or at least regular fare during this grossly horrible inconvenience) I do not recommend boarding the Silver Line at 7th & Flower….It will be total chaos. But, I would place a wager that there will not be anyone in attendance from Metro to monitor/assist riders.
You would be correct. There isn’t a metro employee in sight and its utter chaos because people don’t know about the up charge.
Thank you for this info. I was going to try to get the silver line to SP and then UBER to downtown LB (where I live) – but not now. Guess I’m once again stuck waiting for these tin cans. At least it’s not 95 degrees outside
The Silver Line 950X to San Pedro + Uber/Lyft may be an option that works out for you! Apologies for this delay, and thank you for your patience.
Anna Chen
Writer, The Source
Is there an up-charge to ride the Silver Line 950?
Hi Elffie,
There is, and I will check to see if the upcharge may be waived during this time. However, until otherwise stated, the fare for the Silver Line is $2.50.
Thank you,
Anna Chen
Writer, The Source
Thanks for the quick response yesterday, it really helped.
I’m so glad! Thank you for being patient during the delays, I know how much of a hassle it is, especially at the end of the day when most people just want to get home.
Best,
Anna Chen
Writer, The Source