As a current USC student who is deciding whether or not to live downtown for next year, this is extremely irritating. On the one hand, I don't see how things could possibly delay the line any longer than this. On the other hand, we've all said that before, and as another member of this board, Justin Walker, can tell you, making housing decisions based on the Expo Line has certainly not worked in the past.
This line had better open in time for classes next fall. (Or more preferably, in time for band camp).
And I have to disagree with some of the posters above: depending on the dates, I'd gladly take a partial opening to La Cienega in time for next semester then a full opening to Culver City a month into the school year. Not that those are the actual dates, but not all of the ridership needs that last station, some of us will be well served without it, and the media already has enough to write about with this line being a boondoggle, one more thing isn't going to make a difference. Nobody remembers that the Blue line didn't open all the way, or that the Red line opened in phases, and nobody will care in a year that there was one less station for a month.
Very true. While it is good news that Culver City may be ready by May or June, it would be foolish to wait for this station assuming everything else is ready to go. Culver City is only estimated to be ready for testing in a couple of weeks and possibly ready in May if everything goes perfectly, which certainly hasn't been the case with this project. Remember just a month or so ago, people on this board were saying they didn't expect Culver City to open until the Fall.
If the line were actually open before this semester were over and people had a chance to use the line before making their decision about parking, ridership would be higher. People are less likely to not renew their parking for a line they haven't yet kicked the tires on.
Also, if the line were somehow to open in April, some big events are happening that could attract some new riders (Festival of Books, Springsteen concerts at the Sports Arena where parking is a mess, USC graduation in early May, Ciclovia, NBA Playoffs).
On an earlier post, I was defending Expo Authority, but based on the last call and what they disclose to the Board, I think a lot of criticism is in order. Every month they say substantial completion is expected in the current month, but never really get into the details as to what that entails and it has come back to bite them. On their update for Phase II, they really said nothing as to what is going on or why next to nothing is going on. It is a lot more informative to have Rick Thorpe explain things to the Transit Coalition Meeting if some real information is to be noted.
Re: Guess the opening date for Phase 1 « Reply #51 on Mar 5, 2012, 9:01pm »
Until I see the truck with the rails finally move from its current position at the base of the Culver City structure, THEN I will believe Culver City station will be ready for train service in 2 weeks. That truck has been sitting there for months! Based on our latest reports from the Expo Authority, I wouldn't be surprised if Culver City station is still not in testing phase next month.
Re: Guess the opening date for Phase 1 « Reply #53 on Mar 6, 2012, 10:14am »
The fall semester at USC begins on Monday, August 27. USC is the largest private employer in Los Angeles, so if Phase 1 completion keeps getting delayed an initial opening of the Expo Line from 7th St./Metro to USC/Expo Park before the fall semester starts would probably be worthwhile by virtue of connecting USC to the rest of the Metro rail system.
The fall semester at USC begins on Monday, August 27. USC is the largest private employer in Los Angeles, so if Phase 1 completion keeps getting delayed an initial opening of the Expo Line from 7th St./Metro to USC/Expo Park before the fall semester starts would probably be worthwhile by virtue of connecting USC to the rest of the Metro rail system.
I say if the line is not open well before the orientations, it will be too late. July 29 is the latest it should open.
Until I see the truck with the rails finally move from its current position at the base of the Culver City structure, THEN I will believe Culver City station will be ready for train service in 2 weeks. That truck has been sitting there for months! Based on our latest reports from the Expo Authority, I wouldn't be surprised if Culver City station is still not in testing phase next month.
I think you're being pessimistic. The truck sitting there doesn't mean anything. They have finished all the rails and OCS and hooked up the TPSS. There are probably only a few minor things left. I think March 15 is probably accurate within a few days. It's not a made-up date -- it was given by Rick Thorpe at the last board meeting. Where did you see that Expo Authority reported start of the train test being expected next month or later? You should listen to the audio I recorded.
I think you're being pessimistic. The truck sitting there doesn't mean anything. They have finished all the rails and OCS and hooked up the TPSS. There are probably only a few minor things left. I think March 15 is probably accurate within a few days. It's not a made-up date -- it was given by Rick Thorpe at the last board meeting. Where did you see that Expo Authority reported start of the train test being expected next month or later? You should listen to the audio I recorded.
I swear we've been hearing "substantial completion" and "Culver City station should be ready by December 2011" nearly every month on the Expo Board meetings in 2011.
Basically, as everybody is alluding to on this message board and elsewhere, the Expo Authority has not been honest with its timelines and delays. So I'm taking their statements with a grain of salt (do you guys remember summer 2011 updates when they said the Expo Line should be operational by November 2011 and Culver City station just until early 2012?).
So until we see trains on March 15th...........I'm calling "BS" on the Expo Authority. Nearly all their deadlines they told us have kinda been lies. They should be more honest about the real expectations of Metro operations.
Joined: Feb 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 423 Location: Cheviot Hills, Los Angeles, CA
Re: Guess the opening date for Phase 1 « Reply #57 on Mar 6, 2012, 3:40pm »
Expo Authority's communication with not only the public, but also with city officials has been inadequate and incomplete. I am guessing that Expo Authority management believes it's better to say less and not get themselves into trouble, but when I compare their communications to those of the Gold Line Foothills Extension Authority--I find the Foothil Ext. Authority better anticipates the public's questions and better manages the message.
When the Culver City mayor says Expo Authority's completion projection leaves him "embarrassed," it's crystal clear there's a communications problem. I can't understand why Rick Thorpe and his team are obsessed with saying as little as possible given the fiasco that non-communication of issues has created. Sometimes you just need to "risk" a different strategy when you see that the one you've been using has failed (miserably).
I think you're being pessimistic. The truck sitting there doesn't mean anything. They have finished all the rails and OCS and hooked up the TPSS. There are probably only a few minor things left. I think March 15 is probably accurate within a few days. It's not a made-up date -- it was given by Rick Thorpe at the last board meeting. Where did you see that Expo Authority reported start of the train test being expected next month or later? You should listen to the audio I recorded.
I swear we've been hearing "substantial completion" and "Culver City station should be ready by December 2011" nearly every month on the Expo Board meetings in 2011.
Basically, as everybody is alluding to on this message board and elsewhere, the Expo Authority has not been honest with its timelines and delays. So I'm taking their statements with a grain of salt (do you guys remember summer 2011 updates when they said the Expo Line should be operational by November 2011 and Culver City station just until early 2012?).
So until we see trains on March 15th...........I'm calling "BS" on the Expo Authority. Nearly all their deadlines they told us have kinda been lies. They should be more honest about the real expectations of Metro operations.
True but the situation is different now -- Culver City Station virtually complete (at least the train part) and the only problem is (was?) the fire alarm. The situation is much easier to judge now. I think train testing will start around March 15 but we will see.
Re: Guess the opening date for Phase 1 « Reply #63 on Mar 11, 2012, 3:57pm »
As far as anything in April, I appreciate optimism and all, but what gives anyone the impression that the junction issue has been rectified? I've heard nothing and I feel The Source would probably have informed people that it was fixed and an opening announcement was imminent. The junction thing really makes me nervous--no one else?!?
As far as anything in April, I appreciate optimism and all, but what gives anyone the impression that the junction issue has been rectified? I've heard nothing and I feel The Source would probably have informed people that it was fixed and an opening announcement was imminent. The junction thing really makes me nervous--no one else?!?
I talked to an Expo train operator today. I don't want to spread any rumors, so I'll leave it at that.
I think that The Source is useful for official announcements, but that's pretty much all that we can expect from them. They are more oriented towards keeping riders updated with practical information and not so much with satisfying the curiosities of transit geeks. We may not get information from them as quickly as we might like or in the detail that we might prefer. The status of the junction is just one example.
Joined: Mar 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 3,989 Location: Palms, LA, CA
Re: Guess the opening date for Phase 1 « Reply #66 on Mar 22, 2012, 12:18pm »
I know I've already made too many guesses but given the start of the prerevenue operation on Sunday, March 25, I will make a final one, which is more of a wishful guess. Assuming that they still want to have a 12-week-long prerevenue operation and also take the advantage of a full opening to Culver City, my final wishful guess is:
Sunday, June 17, 2012, to Culver City
This would still put the opening of the line before the start of the summer (this year, June 20, 4:09 pm).
Re: Guess the opening date for Phase 1 « Reply #67 on Mar 22, 2012, 4:59pm »
Sunday, June 17? That's the second day of Pacific Electric weekend at Orange Empire. We usually bring PE Business Car 1299 out for display; this is the only surviving car that I'm sure has run on the Santa Monica Air Line (and if anyone is wondering, it's highly unlikely that it would be brought back to LA for a repeat performance or appearance, for a number of reasons)
Sunday, June 17? That's the second day of Pacific Electric weekend at Orange Empire. We usually bring PE Business Car 1299 out for display; this is the only surviving car that I'm sure has run on the Santa Monica Air Line (and if anyone is wondering, it's highly unlikely that it would be brought back to LA for a repeat performance or appearance, for a number of reasons)
June? Is that event separate from the festivals that OERM used to hold? (usually last weekend in April and October).
Re: Guess the opening date for Phase 1 « Reply #73 on Mar 23, 2012, 2:27pm »
Regarding special events at Orange Empire: Apr. 28: Union Pacific Picnic (for UP employees, but Museum still open for visitors) May 6: Antique Truck Show (there are usually some classic buses, too) May 19-20: Railfest (special operations, live entertainment, etc.) June 9: Rods and Rails: Custom car show, sponsored by City of Perris June 16-17: Pacific Electric Weekend
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