pdf here

Among the actions taken by the Metro Board on Thursday:

•The Board approved offering free rides on Metro buses and trains on Election Day, Nov. 6. Staff report and Source post.

•The Board approved the Final Environmental Report Report for the Division 20 Portal Widening and Turnback Facility project. In English, that’s the project that will allow subway trains to turn around more quickly at Union Station — meaning trains could be operated as frequently as every four minutes on both the Purple Line and Red Line, according to the FEIR. Staff report and FEIR.

•The Board approved $2.5 million in funding for Metro’s “Mobility on Demand” project that will offer $1.75 shared rides to/from three Metro stations (Artesia, El Monte and North Hollywood) from the surrounding communities. The project is scheduled to launch in early 2019. Staff report

•The Board approved programming up to $71 million in funding between fiscal years 2021 and 2035 to help support the operations of L.A. County’s first infrastructure school. Other funding will come from L.A. County and other sources, including the state. Staff report and blog post

•Approved several contract modifications to reinitiate work on the Draft Environmental Impact Impact Statement/Report for an extension of the Eastside Gold Line. The project will ultimately extend the Gold Line from East LA to both South El Monte and Whittier — the Metro Board still must select which route to build first. Staff report

•Approved a motion asking Metro staff for a report on ways to clean up trash both within and near Metro routes. The motion is below.