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Post by wad on Jul 6, 2012 3:26:28 GMT -8
Perhaps they have better trains or a better ATP system there. The latter. The subway cars are Bredas.
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Post by transitfan on Jul 6, 2012 4:49:43 GMT -8
It looks like Expo operations are getting more and more smoother. I don't ride the section on Flower but the section on Exposition is always on schedule. ATP is still stopping trains occasionally in the middle of nowhere and the section between La Cienega and Culver City seems to be usually very slow, but as the operators get used to the line, ATP seems to be less and less a problem. I wonder why ATP on the Red and Purple Lines works much better than on the Expo Line. Perhaps they have better trains or a better ATP system there. I haven't ridden Expo, but from what I've been reading here, the ATP is just screwed up on Expo. I never noticed any problems w/ ATP on the Blue or Green Lines (of course, I haven't ridden those lines since 1998). I haven't ridden the Gold Line either, but I haven't heard of any real problems on that line.
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Jul 6, 2012 7:57:37 GMT -8
Anybody know why all Expo northound trains on Flower stop right before the train rolls into 23rd street station? It's very odd. This happens 100% of the time. The station is not any different than Pico, Mission, Highland Park, etc... but yet 100% of the time the Expo Line stops and then proceeds into 23rd street station.
Expo Line needs some serious signal synchronization on Flower street.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 6, 2012 13:14:02 GMT -8
Anybody know why all Expo northound trains on Flower stop right before the train rolls into 23rd street station? It's very odd. This happens 100% of the time. The station is not any different than Pico, Mission, Highland Park, etc... but yet 100% of the time the Expo Line stops and then proceeds into 23rd street station. Expo Line needs some serious signal synchronization on Flower street. Sit near the cab of the lead car and see if you hear the ATP beeps when it stops. Then it's ATP. You can also ask the operator. Track map is showing ATP starting just north of 23rd St but perhaps in reality it starts just south of the station.
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Post by macross287 on Jul 6, 2012 16:27:02 GMT -8
I have suspicion that their is probably no signal priority at Adams Blvd since it is the street where the Harbor Transitway ends. LADOT may not feel like holding up the freeway traffic for a light rail train, I hope I am wrong.
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Post by bluelineshawn on Jul 6, 2012 17:27:02 GMT -8
Anybody know why all Expo northound trains on Flower stop right before the train rolls into 23rd street station? It's very odd. This happens 100% of the time. The station is not any different than Pico, Mission, Highland Park, etc... but yet 100% of the time the Expo Line stops and then proceeds into 23rd street station. Expo Line needs some serious signal synchronization on Flower street. Sit near the cab of the lead car and see if you hear the ATP beeps when it stops. Then it's ATP. You can also ask the operator. Track map is showing ATP starting just north of 23rd St but perhaps in reality it starts just south of the station. I assume that he means stops at the traffic light. I don't recall the train that I rode on Saturday stopping there, but it may have.
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Post by joshuanickel on Jul 6, 2012 19:28:48 GMT -8
Anybody know why all Expo northound trains on Flower stop right before the train rolls into 23rd street station? It's very odd. This happens 100% of the time. The station is not any different than Pico, Mission, Highland Park, etc... but yet 100% of the time the Expo Line stops and then proceeds into 23rd street station. Expo Line needs some serious signal synchronization on Flower street. It may be due to the pedestrian crossing going in to the station. The tracks are on a curve going in to the station and may be required to stop to make sure there is no people on the track
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 7, 2012 1:46:58 GMT -8
They were checking the tickets / tap cards on the Expo Line again. At least one person got fined on my train. Someone else got arrested by sheriff deputies at the La Cienega platform but I don't know if it was related to fare evasion.
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Jul 7, 2012 8:49:36 GMT -8
Yep, I saw this on the 6:57 pm departure train from Culver City to LA. Two people were fined in my car and one person they actually let him go! He told them "they didn't have machines where I came from". BS! He boarded from Expo/Vermont. The fare cops let him continue his journey with no fine.
There were some people with TAP cards but the cops just told them (make sure you TAP next time), meaning some more people boarded for free.
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Post by Elson on Jul 7, 2012 13:57:35 GMT -8
Yep, I saw this on the 6:57 pm departure train from Culver City to LA. Two people were fined in my car and one person they actually let him go! He told them "they didn't have machines where I came from". BS! He boarded from Expo/Vermont. The fare cops let him continue his journey with no fine. Well in a way, he's right, there are no ticket machines in the Expo/Vermont station proper. They do exist off-site, across the street, though due to the narrow station design, but I always thought they might not be too apparent to passengers.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 7, 2012 14:01:56 GMT -8
I think they have TVMs on the platform ramps at Vermont, in addition to the off-station TVMs. I think I remember kids playing with them most of the time when I walk on the ramp.
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Post by joshuanickel on Jul 7, 2012 14:31:05 GMT -8
I think they have TVMs on the platform ramps at Vermont, in addition to the off-station TVMs. I think I remember kids playing with them most of the time when I walk on the ramp. The Eastbound platform does not have the tvm on the platform only the two off station tvm's. The tap validators are also not on the eastbound platform. They are with the off station tvm's so it is very easy miss validating if you do not know where to look.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 7, 2012 16:46:19 GMT -8
I think they have TVMs on the platform ramps at Vermont, in addition to the off-station TVMs. I think I remember kids playing with them most of the time when I walk on the ramp. The Eastbound platform does not have the tvm on the platform only the two off station tvm's. The tap validators are also not on the eastbound platform. They are with the off station tvm's so it is very easy miss validating if you do not know where to look. Ah, OK, I get off the train on the eastbound platform, not get on. The westbound platform has them on the ramp. I think Farmdale Station also doesn't have them at the platform entrances. Turnstiles would have solved these problems but then, hey, when does Metro do a full job when they build something. People also complain about the lack of escalators at the 30-ft-high Expo Line aerial stations.
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Post by TransportationZ on Jul 7, 2012 22:23:42 GMT -8
People also complain about the lack of escalators at the 30-ft-high Expo Line aerial stations. The lack of escalators is a real pain in the arse. Sometimes you just don't feel like walking those stairs, and it can be a real shocker when you forget about the fact that their not there when you return to the station. Escalators also provide that extra speed boost when you run up them if a train is already at the platform.
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Post by Alexis Kasperavičius on Jul 8, 2012 3:04:56 GMT -8
People also complain about the lack of escalators at the 30-ft-high Expo Line aerial stations. The lack of escalators is a real pain in the arse. Sometimes you just don't feel like walking those stairs, and it can be a real shocker when you forget about the fact that their not there when you return to the station. Escalators also provide that extra speed boost when you run up them if a train is already at the platform. In Montréal many stations don't have *any* escalators or elevators and in many it's only up for one flight (out of 2 or 3). Interestingly, people here aren't as fat as in the US. I wonder if there's a connection?
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Post by TransportationZ on Jul 8, 2012 6:42:54 GMT -8
The lack of escalators is a real pain in the arse. Sometimes you just don't feel like walking those stairs, and it can be a real shocker when you forget about the fact that their not there when you return to the station. Escalators also provide that extra speed boost when you run up them if a train is already at the platform. In Montréal many stations don't have *any* escalators or elevators and in many it's only up for one flight (out of 2 or 3). Interestingly, people here aren't as fat as in the US. I wonder if there's a connection? I can go up stairs, in fact I run up stairs all the time on the Red Line. Difference here is that I walk around quite a bit and use transit. I can easily walk to 2-3 miles from a station, so I think you must be referring the park and ride people. I don't want to come back after a 1-2 mile walk from downtown Culver City and walk up a flight of stairs. Sorry, even as a transit rider, I'm spoiled. This is a brand new modern system, not Montreal. BTW, you fat comparison is off anyway, since most Americans don't even use transit. It has more to do with diet and in-general lack of exercise, a couple flights of stairs in a Metro system isn't going to put the city into shape. And look at older systems like NYC or Chicago. What about there?
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Post by Elson on Jul 8, 2012 20:07:38 GMT -8
People also complain about the lack of escalators at the 30-ft-high Expo Line aerial stations. The lack of escalators is a real pain in the arse. Sometimes you just don't feel like walking those stairs, and it can be a real shocker when you forget about the fact that their not there when you return to the station. Escalators also provide that extra speed boost when you run up them if a train is already at the platform. I agree with the lack of escalators at Culver City (or any Expo Line elevated station). Though, only very few elevated Metro LRT stations actually have escalators. The only ones I could think of right now are Chinatown and Aviation.
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Post by matthewb on Jul 8, 2012 20:23:09 GMT -8
In Montréal many stations don't have *any* escalators or elevators and in many it's only up for one flight (out of 2 or 3). Interestingly, people here aren't as fat as in the US. I wonder if there's a connection? I can say with some certainty that, no, there is no connection whatsoever. In fact, let's look at some data: While obesity rates are slightly lower in Quebec than California, they can hardly be considered to be substantially higher in California. These numbers also don't have error bars on them, but some of them are from the CDC, so presumably they at least did a good job of getting a representative sample. I also don't guarantee that there aren't differences in the methodology between the different numbers. At any rate, you can hardly ascribe any differences in these numbers to making it difficult for disabled people to access the public transportation network in Montreal I strongly support the idea that taking public transportation is a good part of a healthy lifestyle, but that doesn't need to elicit nasty and unsubstantiated negative comparisons between what in fact are two dynamic, well educated, and pretty awesome places.
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Post by Elson on Jul 9, 2012 1:52:38 GMT -8
I strongly support the idea that taking public transportation is a good part of a healthy lifestyle, but that doesn't need to elicit nasty and unsubstantiated negative comparisons between what in fact are two dynamic, well educated, and pretty awesome places. Plus, if you compare Poutine with In-N-Out's Animal Style Fries, it's pretty much a draw
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andop2
Junior Member
Posts: 70
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Post by andop2 on Jul 9, 2012 7:41:28 GMT -8
Anybody know why all Expo northound trains on Flower stop right before the train rolls into 23rd street station? It's very odd. This happens 100% of the time. The station is not any different than Pico, Mission, Highland Park, etc... but yet 100% of the time the Expo Line stops and then proceeds into 23rd street station. Expo Line needs some serious signal synchronization on Flower street. It may be due to the pedestrian crossing going in to the station. The tracks are on a curve going in to the station and may be required to stop to make sure there is no people on the track The pedestrian crossing at 23rd Street Station (south) is equipped with flashing lights and presumably sirens, just like the crossings at Pico station. The difference is they weren't in operation when I stopped at the 23rd Street Station. Instead, the train "stops and proceeds" as a safety alternative, since the signal is silent [it is right next to an Orthopedic Medical Clinic, and I'd bet they complained bitterly to Metro that it was disturbing doctors and patients, so they turned it off]. The bells going off at the Pico Station all the time are quite annoying to me, by the way--I'd rather they electronically "lock" the gates than have to bombard us all the time.
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Post by thanks4goingmetro on Jul 10, 2012 10:44:37 GMT -8
I typically ride Expo to Culver City after 8 nightly and I've been noticing some 2 car trains at times, not every single one but more than a couple. I wonder how do they pull that off operationally.
Also any new numbers on ridership? Trains seem an awful lot busier, particularly Western and Crenshaw Station
I noticed the stopping at the ped crossing at 23rd and always wondered why, I asked an operator, Victoria is her name, she had no idea about it. But trains stop there 100% of the time.
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Post by wad on Jul 11, 2012 3:16:40 GMT -8
I typically ride Expo to Culver City after 8 nightly and I've been noticing some 2 car trains at times, not every single one but more than a couple. I wonder how do they pull that off operationally. It's probably done on the Blue Line at Willow. The rearmost car on northbound trips is decoupled after 7 p.m.
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Post by masonite on Jul 11, 2012 8:37:48 GMT -8
I had a softball game last night at an Eastern Culver City park that was right up against the elevated tracks of Expo between the La Cienega and Culver City stations.
First it was surreal and overall great to see Expo rolling through just behind the diamond, especially here on the Westside. However, I did notice, it seemed to be going quite slow even though it is on a grade separated section and basically in the middle of the two stations. I know Metro has to run up to the last station slowly, so hopefully, this is addressed when Phase II opens. Otherwise, it is still disappointing to see cars blowing Expo out of the water even going a relatively 30-35 mph.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 11, 2012 11:49:59 GMT -8
I had a softball game last night at an Eastern Culver City park that was right up against the elevated tracks of Expo between the La Cienega and Culver City stations. First it was surreal and overall great to see Expo rolling through just behind the diamond, especially here on the Westside. However, I did notice, it seemed to be going quite slow even though it is on a grade separated section and basically in the middle of the two stations. I know Metro has to run up to the last station slowly, so hopefully, this is addressed when Phase II opens. Otherwise, it is still disappointing to see cars blowing Expo out of the water even going a relatively 30-35 mph. Actually, no, the reason why the trains are slow there is the Hayden Ave crossover. This crossover for somehow has a 25 MPH speed limit and despite that it's still giving problems. They decreased the speed limit to 20 MPH with paper signs on the OCS poles posted. There is a 10 MPH speed limit because of the unfinished bridge but that doesn't start until you approach the station near Washington/National.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 11, 2012 11:52:08 GMT -8
Good news! I talked to Rick at the Palms / Cheviot Hills meeting yesterday, and talks with LADOT are in progress for them to allow trains signal preemption or at least longer signal priority at some of the Flower St crossings.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 11, 2012 11:53:52 GMT -8
More good news!
Metro has listened to us and they've asked Expo to put a nice Expo Line sign at Venice/Robertson, which should be erected soon!
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Post by bobdavis on Jul 11, 2012 13:50:32 GMT -8
Escalators are a useful addition to above or below grade transit stations, but they don't do too well in exposed locations. The have a LOT of moving parts and keeping them properly lubricated and maintained is a major task. Historic note: I recall an escalator in a now-vanished MBTA (ex-Boston Elevated Ry.) station that had wooden steps attached to a canvas belt (like a people-conveyor).
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 17, 2012 20:59:55 GMT -8
ATP on the Expo Line is acting erratically. The Culver City section seems to be especially problematic, adding an extra couple of minutes to the time for the westbound trains, with ATP frequently slowing or stalling the trains. There are issues with the Hayden Ave switch. Yesterday ATP applied the emergency brake just west of the Hayden switch, long before the 10 MPH zone. We were only going about 15 MPH and there were no trains to the west of us; so, this was strange. It scared the riders a little bit.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 19, 2012 14:04:50 GMT -8
Huge mess on the Expo Line today. There are two disabled trains, one of them being a Nippon Sharyo near the north trench portal, apparently both with damaged pantographs, blocking both tracks: There is no service between USC / Expo Park and 23rd St, and the service between Culver City and USC / Expo Park has delays for more than half hour, due to only one train running back and forth. On top of all this, the PA system at the stations don't work -- all you hear is static. Bus bridges were very sporadic, not helping much. The operator told us first there would be bus bridges, then we were on our own, then bus bridge. Most people used the emergency exit at the Expo Park / USC Station eastbound platform to get out, risking being hit by cars (which again brings the question that why not all stations have exits at both ends). Given how well the line has been doing, with the ridership currently around 25,000, this is really bad PR for the line.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 19, 2012 22:34:06 GMT -8
This is like having four old tires on your car and when one of them fails, you replace only that one with a new one, and wait for another one to fail. A reasonable person would never do that and change all four at the same time, right? Why Metro is so ignorant that they aren't changing all pantographs in their entire fleet? They can't wait for them to fail one by one because they are too old and let so many people be late to their jobs or other appointments, causing great inconvenience and creating really bad PR.
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