In 2002, Metro decentralized its bus operations — basically splitting Los Angeles County into five service sectors. The idea, in part, was to create closer ties to the communities served by the agency. It appears now that the agency is going to re-centralize some of those operations both as a [continue reading]
The Metro Library (become a fan on Facebook) has compiled another extensive list of transportation headlines today. Since Gold Line coverage has been so heavy, I’m going to try and focus on some non-Eastside Extension related stories for my picks today. The Los Angeles Daily News proposes that Metrolink hold [continue reading]
Six years ago when the Gold Line to Pasadena opened there was no Twitter. Today on the first day of revenue service for the new Gold Line Eastside Extension, L.A.’s first light rail to open since then, Twitter has become a global phenomenon. Angelenos are taking advantage of the technology [continue reading]
I wanted to do something a little different with the transportation headlines today, concentrating on stories about this past weekend’s opening of the Eastside Gold Line Extension. I’m going to start with one link that wasn’t a headline, but rather a comment board post about the Gold Line’s speed — [continue reading]
Metro CEO Art Leahy just announced that Carolyn Flowers, the agency’s chief operating officer, has resigned to accept a job as the CEO of the Charlotte Area Transit System in North Carolina. Flowers, a longtime veteran of Metro, has held a variety of positions here over the years and climbed [continue reading]
After two days of pomp, the new Eastside Gold Line began regular weekday service earlier this morning. There was a sprinkling of riders on the train at 4:10 a.m. at Mariachi Plaza, with more passengers jumping on the train as the morning proceeded. Several riders said they had switched from [continue reading]
Metro Communications staff put together this nicely shot but strangely silent video compilation of festivities from todays Gold Line Eastside Extension opening. A throw back to the silent movie era or a chance to play your own music while you watch? I’ll let you decide.
As of 4:45 p.m. Metro officials estimate a total of 50,000 boardings on the Gold Line Eastside Extension today. With the lines I saw at Union Station, that seems about right.
Steve and I rode the line, battled the crowds, and joined in the festivities of the Eastside Extension’s opening day. When we started our day at about 9:00 a.m., crowds were relatively light and the lines were short, but around 11:00 a.m. there was a notable increase in the crowds. [continue reading]
At this point, it’s obvious that there will be substantial lines the rest of the afternoon on the Eastside Gold Line. We probably won’t get a true feel for commuters’ perspectives on how the train functions until revenue service begins Monday. My colleague Fred and I chatted with many passengers [continue reading]
