Post by nickv on Aug 15, 2007 18:55:33 GMT -8
I've started a new forum topic for the Wilshire Bl bus lane proposal. Somehow, this specific topic "started" through reply posts on other transit topics. I've copied the lastest posts for your convenience.
I think there will have to be bus turnouts as wide as the lane so that the 720 and 920 busses can pass the 20 busses; otherwise the rapid busses will have to wait for traffic to clear to pass the local busses, which may make passing on congested Wilshire Bl a little more difficult.
Another idea is to have the busses have their own signal so that they won't interfere with drivers making right turns. NCTD is proposing something like this for Line 350 down in Escondido.
Bus lanes or no bus lanes, there also needs to be a heavy rail line (extension of the Purple Line) for this corridor too.
I was watching NBC 4 news this morning and they had a teaser ad for the upcoming 11:00 am news saying that the city council is about to take up the issue of a Wilshire Blvd. dedicated bus lane after the Federal Government has offered up $20M in funding.
All I've found on the subject so far is latimesblogs.latimes.com/bottleneck/2007/08/wilshire-bus-la.html
I'm starting to think that this city is completely hopeless.
All I've found on the subject so far is latimesblogs.latimes.com/bottleneck/2007/08/wilshire-bus-la.html
I'm starting to think that this city is completely hopeless.
"I'm starting to think that this city is completely hopeless. "
This could actually be a great tactic. See how quickly the NIMBYS start shouting for a subway when two lanes of the entire length of Wilshire become bus lanes. It could also be a good revenue source, given a hefty fine for abusers.
Adrian
This could actually be a great tactic. See how quickly the NIMBYS start shouting for a subway when two lanes of the entire length of Wilshire become bus lanes. It could also be a good revenue source, given a hefty fine for abusers.
Adrian
I don't understand why Transit advocates are upset of bus only lanes. This promotes PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. Guess what! A bus will go faster than a car, and that's great news. Makes public transportation convenient over the personal car.
Every major city has bus only lanes in high capacity corriders, why can't Wilshire be the same? Yes, we need a subway, and we all recognize that fact. The MTA acknowledges it as well. What happens when the Subway to the Sea diverts to Century City off Wilshire? Well, those commuters will board a bus only lane to complete their jouney.
Don't be scared, a wilshire subway I'm sure is still on the table. A bus only lane gives people an option. Should we remove the bus only lanes on Figueroa and Spring Street b/c we have the soon Expo Line and the Red Line that service the same corridors, respectively?
Every major city has bus only lanes in high capacity corriders, why can't Wilshire be the same? Yes, we need a subway, and we all recognize that fact. The MTA acknowledges it as well. What happens when the Subway to the Sea diverts to Century City off Wilshire? Well, those commuters will board a bus only lane to complete their jouney.
Don't be scared, a wilshire subway I'm sure is still on the table. A bus only lane gives people an option. Should we remove the bus only lanes on Figueroa and Spring Street b/c we have the soon Expo Line and the Red Line that service the same corridors, respectively?
Bus only lanes are needed all over the city. Bus only lanes will work on Ventura, Sepulveda, Olympic, Pico, etc... To make it clear, I hate and will not support Bus Rapid Transit though (i.e. Orange Line). A seperated grade busway is stupid, that should have been rail. Let's not confuse bus only lanes with BRTs, that's where I see most people have their fear.
Wilshire Blvd isn't even wide enough to add bicycle lanes, how can it be wide enough to accomodate bus only lanes. Take away two car lanes.... I don't think anyone on the Westside would be pleased with that.
It's just not smart transit planning. Taking two lanes from the most traveled boulevard in the city - and thereby one of - if not the most congested street west of the Mississippi on it's face just doesn't make sense. Doing it, while still allowing private vehicles to make right turns is just plain retarded. Right-turns will still have to yield to pedestrian traffic, and rapid bus stops are on the far-side of the intersections. So whereas in the past buses would/could go around vehicles waiting to turn right, by being in a middle lane, they'll simply be waiting.
Is that true? Buses will be confined to the bus only lane and will not be able to pass slower buses/right lane turners?
I swear that in London & Paris that was not the case. They had the bus only lane, but would still use the other lanes for passing if needed.
I swear that in London & Paris that was not the case. They had the bus only lane, but would still use the other lanes for passing if needed.
I think there will have to be bus turnouts as wide as the lane so that the 720 and 920 busses can pass the 20 busses; otherwise the rapid busses will have to wait for traffic to clear to pass the local busses, which may make passing on congested Wilshire Bl a little more difficult.
Another idea is to have the busses have their own signal so that they won't interfere with drivers making right turns. NCTD is proposing something like this for Line 350 down in Escondido.
Bus lanes or no bus lanes, there also needs to be a heavy rail line (extension of the Purple Line) for this corridor too.