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Post by nickv on Dec 6, 2007 17:58:45 GMT -8
Starting December 16th, look for more efficient service on major streets, including two new Metro Rapid Lines, new high capacity buses and additional service during peak hours and weekends. www.metro.net/images/service_enhancements.pdfIn addition, new lines, extended routes, and extra service have been added as follows: > New lines added 35-335, 728 (Rapid), 770 (Rapid) > Added Saturday service Lines 18, 45-46, 66, 745, 780 > Lines that have extended their route Lines 83, 252, 780 New schedules start December 16, 2007 Source: www.metro.net/images/service_enhancements.pdf
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Post by wad on Dec 9, 2007 23:07:44 GMT -8
The Atlantic Boulevard rapid line is not implemented this time around.
But ... take a look at the new 212 schedule for December. There will now be weekday mid-day 312 service! The bad news, though, is that they combine 12-minute service by having both limited and local run every 25 minutes. Metro did this with the 217/317 as well.
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Post by tonyw79sfv on Dec 12, 2007 20:41:08 GMT -8
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Post by rayinla on Dec 13, 2007 1:00:01 GMT -8
And the new Rapid 728 schedule specifically references the Shubert Theater which was demolished to make way for the CAA "Death Star".
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Post by metrocenter on Dec 13, 2007 22:56:41 GMT -8
^ That's hilarious! Maybe the Purple Line schedule should include the Ambassador Hotel and Brown Derby! LOL
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Post by nickv on Jun 20, 2008 23:35:25 GMT -8
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Post by nickv on Dec 4, 2008 20:51:02 GMT -8
LA Metro Bus Service Changes & Upgrades
New schedules start December 14, 2008 Your local Metro Service Sectors are enhancing service in your area. Starting December 14th, look for more efficient service on major streets, including Metro Rapid service improvements, route extensions and adjustments, and additional service during peak hours, late night and weekends.
Line 26, 51, 52 (Metro Local), Line 352 (Limited Stop Route) Hollywood-Compton-Artesia Transit Center via Avalon Bl Weekdays: Additional weekday AM service
Line 33 (Metro Local), Line 333 (Limited Stop Route) Downtown LA - Santa Monica via Venice Bl All Days: Line 33 restructured to operate from Main/Sunset in Venice to 6th/Main in downtown Los Angeles; Limited Line 333 will operate from 2nd/Santa Monica to Union Station; both lines will operate 24 hours/day and 7 days/week
Line 45 (Metro Local) Lincoln Heights-Rosewood via Broadway & Mercury Av All Days: Additional weekday AM, Saturday and Sunday midday service
Line 62 (Metro Local) Downtown LA - Hawaiian Gardens via Telegraph Rd Weekdays: Additional weekday AM service
Line 66 (Metro Local) Wilshire Center-Montebello via 8th & Olympic Bl Weekdays: Weekday midday trips will terminate at 8th/Western and will therefore no longer serve the Wilshire/Western Metro Station. Transfer to Line 207 or 757 at 8th/Western for service to the Wilshire/Western Station during midday weekdays. Saturdays: Additional Saturday AM service
Line 81 (Metro Local), Line 381 (Limited Stop Route) Eagle Rock-Exposition Park via Figueroa St Weekdays: Cancel Line 381 limited stop runs and allocate the resources to improve Metro Local Line 81 trips during rush hours.
Line 450X (Metro Super Express - Commuter Bus) Artesia Transit Center-7th Street Metro Center via Harbor Transitway Weekdays: New and improved schedule with additional service in the peak hours. Line 460 (Metro Local+Express Route) Downtown LA - Anaheim Resort Area via Harbor Transitway & 105 Fwy All Days: Additional service weekdays and Saturday AM
Line 577X (Metro Super Express) El Monte Station - Downtown Long Beah via I-605 Fwy Weekdays: Improved peak hour service. New bus stops at the Los Cerritos Center and at 7th/Redondo.
Line 715 (Metro Rapid) Manchester - Firestone Weekdays: Route extended from Firestone/Atlantic to Downey Transit Center with a new stop at Firestone/Garfield.
Line 745 (Metro Rapid) South Broadway Rapid Weekdays: Additional weekday AM service.
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Post by nickv on Jan 8, 2009 1:16:02 GMT -8
ACTION ALERT - Notice of Public Hearing LA Metro Proposed Bus Service Changes LA Metro will hold public hearings in February 2009
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will hold public hearings in February 2009 to receive community input on proposed modifications to Metro’s bus service. Approved changes will become effective June 28, 2009 or later. Details of the hearing dates, times, and locations are listed at the end of this notice.
The upcoming public hearings are being held in conformance with federal public hearing requirements outlined in Section 5307 (d) 1 of Title 49 U.S.C., and public hearing guidelines adopted by Metro’s Board of Directors in 1993, as amended.
Listed below are the service proposals to be considered at the hearings, and the respective service sectors that will host the public hearings. In general, the proposed modifications will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the public transportation system through a better use of resources. The public can attend any of these hearings and comment on proposals of interest to them.
METRO WESTSIDE/CENTRAL SERVICE SECTOR
Line 14 - Metro Local Line 714 - Metro Rapid Lowntown LA - Beverly Hills via Beverly Bl Adjust service levels and reallocate resources from Line 714 to local Line 14
Line 30/31 - Metro Local Pico/Rimpau - Monterey Park via Pico Bl & East 1st St Restructure service for the Eastside Gold Line Extension Bus Rail interface. Line 30 is proposed to terminate at Dozier/Rowan terminal. Remainder of the service (on Hammel St and Floral Dr) is proposed to be served by restructuring of Line 287. Reduce service frequency on First St. between Alameda St. and Atlantic Bl.
Line 220 - Metro Local West Hollywood - Culver City via Robertson Bl Cancel line due to low ridership.
Line 704 - Metro Rapid Downtown LA - Santa Monica via Santa Monica Bl Rapid Adjust service levels. Consider short line terminal at Santa Monica/Sepulveda
Line 730 - Metro Rapid Downtown LA - Pico/Rimpau via Pico Bl Rapid Restructure service for the Eastside Gold Line Extension Bus Rail interface. Propose downtown terminus to end at the Little Tokyo/Arts District Station.
Line 920 - Metro Rapid Express Santa Monica- Wilshire/Vermont via Wilshire Bl Adjust service levels. Consider short line terminal at Wilshire/Westwood
METRO SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SERVICE SECTOR
Line 94 - Metro Local Line 794 - Metro Rapid Downtown LA- Sylmar Station via San Fernando Rd Shorten Line 94 trips to terminate in Sun Valley and reallocate resources to extend Line 794 to Sylmar Station. Reroute Line 794 trips from Brand Boulevard to San Fernando Road; Reduce service levels and apply savings to fund route extension. Extend route from Burbank to Sylmar Station.
Line 224 - Metro Local Line 724 - Metro Rapid Olive View Medical Center-Universal City Station via San Fernando Rd, Lankershim Bl Maintain Line 224 runs and improve service levels. Cancel all Line 724 trips and reallocate resources to Lines 224 and 794.
Note: Other options for the above lines may be discussed and considered at the public hearing
METRO GATEWAY CITIES SERVICE SECTOR
Line 26 - Metro Local Line 51 - Metro Local Line 52 - Metro Local Line 352 - Limited Stop Local Route Hollywood- Compton- Artesia Transit Center via Avalon Bl Cancel Line 26 route north of Wilshire Bl. Negotiations with the City are underway for alternative service by LA DASH. Lines 51, 52-352 trips to maintain existing routing. Provide new two-way Owl service on Line 51
Line 53 - Metro Local Downtown LA - CSU Dominguez Hills via Central Av Cancel one-way Owl service on Central Av and consolidate trips on Avalon Bl/ San Pedro St to provide two- way Owl service on those corridors now served by Line 51 (see Line 51 above).
Line 105 - Metro Local West Hollywood-Vernon via La Cienega Bl - Vernon Av Cancel route segment east of Santa Fe Av. Line 611 to provide alternative service along the affected corridors.
Line 128 - Metro Local Compton Station - La Mirada via Alondra Bl Reroute to Cerritos Towne Center. Alternative service along Alondra Bl between Carmenita Rd and La Mirada Bl provided by Line 460.
Line 254 - Metro Local Boyle Heights - 103rd St Station via Lorena St - Boyle Av Reroute line to serve the Metro Gold Line Indiana Street Station.
METRO SAN GABRIEL VALLEY SERVICE SECTOR
Line 68 - Metro Local Downtown Los Angeles-Montebello via Cesar Chavez Av Cancel route segment from Riggin St. and Atlantic Bl. to Montebello Town Center, replaced by an extension of Line 287 from the Montebello Towne Center to Atlantic Bl., continue on via Floral Dr. and Rowan Av. to the Indiana Gold Line Station.
Line 177 - Metro Local La Canada - Sierra Madre Villa via I-210, California Bl and Walnut St Cancel route segment from Sierra Madre Metro Gold Line Station to Pasadena City College (PCC). Service will be improved from every 30 minutes to every 12 to 15 minutes in the peak periods; Cancel all mid-day service.
Line 256 - Metro Local Commerce - Altadena via Eastern Av & Hill Av Cancel line. Alternative service may be provided by another operator.
Line 287 - Metro Local Montebello Town Center - Sierra Madre Villa Station Extend west from the Montebello Town Center to the Indiana Gold Line Station, providing service on the Line 30 route portion on Floral Dr. and Rowan Av. The route portion from the Sierra Madre Gold Line Station south to El Monte Station will be replaced by Line 487.
Line 484 - Metro Local + Express Pomona -Downtown LA via Valley Bl & El Monte Busway The route portion from El Monte Station to Downtown Los Angeles will be replaced by the Dual Hub BRT. Existing route east of El Monte not affected, but will be renumbered Line 184.
Line 487 - Metro Local + Express Sierra Madre Villa Station - Downtown LA via San Gabriel Bl & El Monte Busway Extend from the Sierra Madre Gold Line Station over the Line 287 route segment to El Monte Station.
Line 490 - Metro Local + Express Pomona - Downtown LA via Ramona Bl & El Monte Busway The route portion from El Monte Station to Downtown Los Angeles will be replaced by the Dual Hub BRT. Existing route east of El Monte not affected, but will be renumbered Line 190.
Line 620 - Community Shuttle Boyle Heights via Cesar Chavez Av & State St Extend east to the Indiana Gold Line Station.
Line 910 - Dual Hub BRT El Monte Station - Artesia Transit Center via El Monte Busway & Harbor Expressway New Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route connecting El Monte Station and the Artesia Transit Center through Downtown LA.
METRO SOUTH BAY SERVICE SECTOR
Line 111 - Metro Local LAX Transit Center - Norwalk Station via Florence Av Consider new shortline shuttle on weekdays between Figueroa and Pacific.
Line 124 - Metro Local El Segundo - Rosa Parks Station via El Segundo Bl Cancel line with identification of another provider for either a segment of the line or for the entire route.
Line 125 - Metro Local El Segundo - Norwalk Station via Rosecrans Av. Cancel line west of Douglas Green Line Station with identification of another provider.
Line 126 - Metro Local Manhattan Beach - Hawthorne Station via El Camino College Cancel Line between Crenshaw Green Line Station and Century Bl. Cancel line with identification of another provider.
Line 207 - Metro Local Hollywood / Western Station - LA Southwest College via Western Av Shorten route to new north terminal at Sunset & Western. Implement one-way turnaround loop to Hollywood/Western Station. Alternative north of Sunset is Line 757.
Line 209 - Metro Local Wilshire/Western Station - Gardena via Van Ness Av. Cancel midday service and all service south of Imperial Highway.
Line 439 - Metro Local + Express L.A. Union Station - LAX Transit Center Express via I-10 Fwy. Cancel midday and weekend service east of Washington & Fairfax, alternatives include Lines 35/335 on Washington Bl. and Line 38 on Jefferson Bl.
Line 444 - Express Route L.A. Union Station -West Torrance -Rolling Hills - Rancho Palos Verdes Express Cancel line. Service will be replaced north of Artesia Transit Center by new BRT; service south of Artesia Transit Center will be canceled with identification of another provider.
Line 445 - Metro Local + Express L.A. Union Station - San Pedro Express With implementation of new BRT, operate faster service with just one stop on the Harbor Transitway north of the Artesia Transit Center to serve the Metro Green Line Harbor Fwy Station.
Line 446/447 - Metro Local + Express L.A. Union Station - Carson -Wilmington - San Pedro Express Service north of Artesia Transit Center to be replaced with new BRT; renumber remaining local services as Lines 246/247.
Line 711 - Metro Rapid Inglewood Transit Center - Bell Gardens via Florence Rapid Cancel Saturday and Sunday service, alternative is Line 111 local on Florence Av.
Line 910 - Dual Hub BRT El Monte Station - Artesia Transit Center via El Monte Busway and Harbor Transitway New faster Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service replaces existing Line 444 and Line 446/447 north of the Artesia Transit Center through downtown LA to the El Monte Station.
PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SECTOR..............WESTSIDE/CENTRAL SECTOR February 4, 2009, 6:30 pm...............February 11, 2009, 5 pm 6262 Van Nuys Bl........................La Cienega Tennis Center Marvin Braude Constituent Center........325 South La Cienega Bl Van Nuys................................Beverly Hills
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY SECTOR...............GATEWAY CITIES SECTOR February 9, 2009, 6 pm..................February 12, 2009, 5:30 pm San Gabriel Valley Sector Office........The Gas Company 3449 Santa Anita Av.....................9240 Firestone Bl El Monte................................Downey
SOUTH BAY SECTOR February 9, 2009, 6 pm Carson Community Center 801 Carson St Carson
Additional details about these proposals will be available for public review after January 26, 2009. To obtain this information contact the address listed below, or visit your nearest Metro Customer Relations Center. Information can also be accessed at: www.metro.net
Note these proposals may be approved in whole or in part at a date following the public hearings. Approved changes may also include other alternatives derived from public comment. Interested members of the public are encouraged to attend the upcoming hearings and provide testimony on any service proposal under consideration (public comment will not be restricted to only bus routes operating in one geographical area). All public comment received will be forwarded to the responsible Sector Governance Council, and considered prior to taking action on the service proposals. Persons unable to attend the hearings may submit written testimony postmarked through mid-night February 14, 2009, the close of the public record. All written testimony should be addressed to:
Metro Customer Relations Attn: June 2009 Service Changes One Gateway Plaza, 99-PL-4 Los Angeles, CA 90012-2952
Comments can also be sent via e-mail with “June 2009 Service Changes” as the subject to: customerrelations@metro.net Facsimile at: 213-922-6988
Upon request, foreign language translation, sign language interpretation, materials in alternative formats and other accommodations are available to the public for MTA-sponsored meetings and events. All requests for reasonable accommodations must be made at least three working days (72 hours) in advance of the scheduled meeting date. Please telephone (213) 922-4600 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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Post by jejozwik on Jan 8, 2009 8:07:32 GMT -8
metro is planning on making the 487 longer? i wish they would streamline the section from valley and del mar to mission and las tunas.. 30-40 min to go 2 miles
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Post by hooligan on Jan 8, 2009 11:34:31 GMT -8
Really they are canceling the 444? a lot of riders on that line catch it in the morning to head to the south bay galleria area, at Artesia transit center. I guess Torrance Transit can take it. Like what they are doing with the 445 but honestly they ought to extend the 450x down to San Pedro as well, that way the PCH and Carson stations have more Peak hour buses running. And promote the heck out of it. So that those park and ride stations can be used. I never see anyone there. I can also see the 450x extended into Long beach from there as an alternative to get to the south bay from Long beach. and downtown. they can have both freeway express lines(450x and 577x) meet in long beach at the transit center.
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Post by ieko on Jan 8, 2009 23:30:07 GMT -8
Well that's annoying, maybe Torrance could extend line 8 to terminate where 444 does now? Although that wouldn't really answer lack of service on Artesia Blvd. line 130 is very infrequent and has lousy service because it's contracted out. It still seems silly to kill 444 though.
Maybe Beach Cities Transit will be interested in 126? I don't think they'd be interested in 124-125 as it goes way out of their current service area. Even for 126 I figure they'll cut it off at El Camino.
Either way it looks like I'll be at the SB sector meeting come Feb 9th. Will anyone else be going?
Edit: If Torrance did extend line 8, I think they should change it so it interfaces with line 1 & 2 better, also perhaps increase the frequency of line 2 for those that want to go downtown from the galleria/artesia blvd. In general it'd be nice if line 2 was more frequent anyway, once an hour for that line is ridiculous.
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Post by ieko on Jan 24, 2009 11:17:31 GMT -8
I just realized that perhaps Torrance transit line 2 would be a better fit to replace most of 444. Specifically the Del Amo Mall segment to Palos Verdes via Hawthorne blvd. & Palos Verdes Drive South, and then again after the Galleria down Artesia blvd. to Crenshaw like it currently does. I suppose line 8 going up there wouldn't hurt either.
Seems like no one else from here will be going to the meeting?
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Post by ieko on Feb 9, 2009 21:26:25 GMT -8
I just got home from the South Bay sectors meeting and so I thought I'd just let everyone know how that went. The meeting had a lot of people, and most of them were there to voice their opposition for any changes to 444. A council member later came up to me and told me they would fight for 444's service to stay, and the council as a whole seemed to understand that this was a service that needed to stay. So I'm confident 444 will be around when 910 rolls out in June.
For 910 the downtown stops that are proposed are as follows from South to North: -------------------------------------------------- Harbor Transitway at Adams [South] (Future Expo Line Station) Figueroa Way between 23rd and Adams [North] (Future Expo Line Station) -------------------------------------------------- Figueroa at Pico (Staples Center/Convention Center/LA Live) -------------------------------------------------- Figueroa at 7th [North] (Metro Center) Flower at 7th [South] (Metro Center) Flower at 5th [South] Olive at 5th [North] Grand at 3rd [South] Oliver at Kosc (between 2nd & 3rd) [North] -------------------------------------------------- 1st at Broadway -------------------------------------------------- 1st between Central and Alameda [South] (Little Tokyo Gold Line Station) Alameda at 1st [North] (Little Tokyo Gold Line Station) -------------------------------------------------- Union Station @ El Monte Transitway
Metro stated that the reason for less stops compared to the 44X lines in downtown would be to speed service up, but as some pointed out, myself included, this wouldn't do much to speed the service up during rush hour because the streets are grid-locked anyway. So they may as well keep all the stops.
Finally, I'm really happy to report that Torrance Transit will begin to undergo some long and overdue positive changes within the next few years. Generally better service such as local circulators are being looked into as well as student passes. The most exciting for me is that I finally got word on 'the signs that tell you where the next stop is' are going to start popping up in roughly a year from now. The agency is also looking to start rebranding itself to make their service more attractive to residents. So there is a lot to look forward to.
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Post by Justin Walker on Feb 9, 2009 21:54:06 GMT -8
For 910 the downtown stops that are proposed are as follows from A map of proposed Line 910 here. There are fewer stops downtown, as the map confirms, which would be helpful on Figueroa, where there are bus-only lanes in the morning. Everywhere else, not so much.
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Post by jejozwik on Feb 10, 2009 10:57:31 GMT -8
A map of proposed Line 910 here. There are fewer stops downtown, as the map confirms, which would be helpful on Figueroa, where there are bus-only lanes in the morning. Everywhere else, not so much. that looks an awful lot like the first steps for the HOT lane proposals i saw last year
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Post by Justin Walker on Feb 10, 2009 16:11:23 GMT -8
that looks an awful lot like the first steps for the HOT lane proposals i saw last year This is supposed to go hand-in-hand with the HOT Lanes project. The long-term improvements for the bus service, like off-board fare payment and linkages from the I-110 to Figueroa and from I-10 to Union Station, would follow farther down the line.
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Post by wad on Feb 13, 2009 5:11:35 GMT -8
that looks an awful lot like the first steps for the HOT lane proposals i saw last year This is supposed to go hand-in-hand with the HOT Lanes project. The long-term improvements for the bus service, like off-board fare payment and linkages from the I-110 to Figueroa and from I-10 to Union Station, would follow farther down the line. We should wait until the HOT lane is in place so that we could get the improvements hand-in-hand.
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Post by ieko on Feb 13, 2009 11:54:50 GMT -8
I wonder if they ever considered giving the money to Foothill Transit to extend Silver Streak to Artesia Transit Center? I mean they already run the service pretty well and with free wifi even, as well as 24 hours a day. I don't see why the extra fees to ride Silver Streak wouldn't have gone away with Metro's help either.
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Post by ieko on Apr 16, 2009 2:56:19 GMT -8
I got bored so I started digging in the metro board archives, found out that line 444 will become 344 when 910 starts (June?) 20090313OtherSectorSBAItem6.pdf20090313OtherSectorSBAItem6A.pdf -- this one is the best read, note the summary of public comments for line 444. 20090313OtherSectorSBAItem6B.pdfEditor's Note: At the Metro Operations Committee on Thursday, April 16, it was announced that Line 910 would be held up to either September or December to deal with Fare Policy issues between Metro and the Muni Carriers and a possibility to yield some revenue hour savings to address the Structural Deficit. If you attend the Coalition meeting on Tuesday, April 28, this will be covered in the full color handouts provided to meeting attendees.
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Post by nickv on Apr 30, 2009 21:09:49 GMT -8
May 1 Marches to Detour Most Downtown Metro Buses
Due to a series of six marches in and around downtown Los Angeles on Friday, May 1, Metro will detour nearly all buses in and out of downtown and is anticipating traffic delays from approximately 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To avoid traffic, patrons traveling downtown are advised to take the Metro Red/Purple Line to Union Station or Civic Center, Pershing Square or 7th Street/Metro Center stations, to allow extra time for trips and to be prepared to walk, should buses be delayed or re-routed by police.
If travel through downtown is necessary, take the Metro Red/Purple Line to Union Station or to 7th Street/Metro Center station, or take the Blue Line to Pico, Grand or Washington stations and transfer to buses heading out of downtown. Broadway will be closed beginning at about 11 a.m., from Olympic Boulevard to Temple Street, due to three consecutive marches. Spring, Main and Los Angeles streets will also be closed between Temple and 1st streets.
All bus lines that normally operate on Broadway, Spring, Main or Los Angeles streets will be detoured. All bus lines that normally cross Broadway between 1st Street and Olympic Boulevard will also experience detours and significant service delays.
A fourth group will assemble at Echo Park and Park avenues in Echo Park and begin marching east on Sunset at 2 p.m., continuing to Spring Street. Affected Metro bus lines include: 2, 4, 200, 603 and 704.
At 3 p.m., another group will assemble at 7th Street, west of Alameda, and march west along 5th Street, then north on Broadway. All bus lines that operate between Alameda Street and Broadway will experience significant delays, including those lines already detoured.
A sixth group will assemble at 4:30 p.m. at First and Spring streets, continuing south on Broadway, then west on 7th Street to MacArthur Park. All bus lines that operate between Broadway and Alvarado will experience significant delays, including those already detoured.
For more information and updates on last-minute changes, go to metro.net or call 1-800-COMMUTE.
Metro-056
Editors Note: “Metro” should be used when referring to this agency.
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Post by ieko on Jan 6, 2010 20:40:18 GMT -8
Looks like meetings about June service changes have been posted. www.metro.net/riding_metro/special_services/public_hearings.htmMetro San Fernando Valley Sector Marvin Braude Constituent Center 6262 Van Nuys Bl, Van Nuys Wednesday, February 3, 2010, 6:30pm Metro San Gabriel Valley Sector San Gabriel Valley Office 3449 Santa Anita Av, 3rd Floor, El Monte Monday February 8, 2010, 6pm Metro Westside/Central Sector La Cienega Tennis Center 325 S La Cienega Bl, Beverly Hills Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 5pm Of major note, Metro proposes upgrading line 333 to a rapid (733). Could this be the first 24/7 Rapid line? www.metro.net/riding_metro/special_services/public_hearings.htm#WestsideCentral333 got articulated buses this past December, I wonder if they will move those to line 33 once 733 is implemented, or if they'll just apply the red rapid wrap to the buses.
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Post by wad on Jan 13, 2010 5:00:21 GMT -8
Of major note, Metro proposes upgrading line 333 to a rapid (733). What's the upgrade? Line 333 already runs every day and the bulk of the line is limited-stops already.
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Post by transitfan on Jan 13, 2010 6:54:22 GMT -8
Of major note, Metro proposes upgrading line 333 to a rapid (733). What's the upgrade? Line 333 already runs every day and the bulk of the line is limited-stops already. I'm guessing, signal preemption on Venice Blvd.
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Jan 13, 2010 12:35:37 GMT -8
What's the upgrade? Line 333 already runs every day and the bulk of the line is limited-stops already. I'm guessing, signal preemption on Venice Blvd. The 333 currently operates like the 33....there is really no difference between the two other than the 333 stops at every other stop. I envision the 733 will only stop at the main boulevards like the 720/728 (i.e. Arlington, Vermont, Western, Crenshaw, etc....) and not small streets like Gramecy, Wilton, etc... The same question was posed for the 728 a couple of years ago when Metro proposed removing the 328 for the 728....and people wondered what exactly is the upgrade? Well...as a frequent rider of the 728 compared to the 328...the Rapid goes much faser (I think savings were like up to 15 minutes!) coming between Olympic/Figueroa to Century Park West - the terminus. I'm very excited for the 733...a true Rapid Line like Venice blvd is sorely needed. Many times, the 333 and 33 have played tag throughout the whole strip w/o the 333 giving much significant time savings over the local. This is a great enhancement by Metro! I wonder if this was due to the concerns made to Art Leahy at the Transit Coalition meeting last October....
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Post by JerardWright on Jan 13, 2010 14:24:21 GMT -8
I'm guessing, signal preemption on Venice Blvd. The 333 currently operates like the 33....there is really no difference between the two other than the 333 stops at every other stop. I envision the 733 will only stop at the main boulevards like the 720/728 (i.e. Arlington, Vermont, Western, Crenshaw, etc....) and not small streets like Gramecy, Wilton, etc... It will more likely reduce stops on the western end of the line where they are much closer together. As I sit on the westside Sector Council, this has been in the works for over 2 years, the issues were that; 1) We didn't have enough 60' buses to start this service - Now with 60' buses operating on the 333 route now, through a lot of persistence on my part, there are now resoruces and equipment to operate this route. 2) the Original Rapid implementation needed to be completed, however there is a hitch in that Torrance Transit was supposed to do a Rapid, havent done it yet so that was traded up for the Venice Rapid. The question that will come before us tonight will be which stops will be removed for the Rapid service.
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Post by wad on Jan 14, 2010 5:08:55 GMT -8
The 333 currently operates like the 33....there is really no difference between the two other than the 333 stops at every other stop. I envision the 733 will only stop at the main boulevards like the 720/728 (i.e. Arlington, Vermont, Western, Crenshaw, etc....) and not small streets like Gramecy, Wilton, etc... That's exactly what 333 does right now! (Look at a 33/333 map. Those bubbles along Venice are 333's limited stops.) Line 728 was an upgrade because it added midday service to what had been a rush-hour service. The RTD for a time in the 1980s had midday 328 service for a short time. Know what the speed difference is? Line 728's an all limited-stop line. Line 328 used to make all local stops west of Fairfax. That's where the time advantage comes from. Line 733 already has 7-day limited-stop service, and the limited-stop zone already covers pretty much all of Venice. One change I would like to see Metro to do Line 733 is not to duplicate 33 between downtown L.A. and Pico/Union. Instead, it should restore a 30+ year old line where 733 would run to Echo Park via Sunset Boulevard then run south on Alvarado Street along Venice. Why Alvarado? Line 733 might act as a pressure valve for Line 200 and the busy 603 and DASH lines paralleling it.
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Jan 14, 2010 8:09:54 GMT -8
I use to drive to work in Century City 90% of the time when the 328 was in service................I drive 5% of the time when the 728 was in service. Have you ridden both bus lines? Metro's Rapid experience is a lot better than limited stop. I dare not take the 316 into Century City...that's a long journey...however, if the 716 happened..............
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Post by wad on Jan 15, 2010 4:36:58 GMT -8
I use to drive to work in Century City 90% of the time when the 328 was in service................I drive 5% of the time when the 728 was in service. Have you ridden both bus lines? Metro's Rapid experience is a lot better than limited stop. Yes, I've ridden both bus lines, but admittedly I don't have to go to Century City all that much. What exactly is the "experience" you describe?
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Jan 16, 2010 10:40:56 GMT -8
I use to drive to work in Century City 90% of the time when the 328 was in service................I drive 5% of the time when the 728 was in service. Have you ridden both bus lines? Metro's Rapid experience is a lot better than limited stop. Yes, I've ridden both bus lines, but admittedly I don't have to go to Century City all that much. What exactly is the "experience" you describe? The Rapids are more clean and comfortable than a limited stop..that's the truth. Take an orange bus compared to a red bus, which one gives you a more pleasant experience? I'm sure I'm not the "odd one out" who doesn't prefer speed and convenience (more high frequency service on Rapids than Limiteds) than constant stops and lower service. The 728 was a significant improvement over the 328...and I expect the same for the 733 over the 333. The 333 really is no better than the 33, sometimes I didn't bother waiting for the 333, because the 33 took approximately the same amount of time. Keep in mind, the 33 will stay a 24 hour serive, so service level won't change significantly on this route. I know I'm not the only one in the boat that prefers Rapid to Limited service. That's my opinion of the two different service levels and I can see the 733 being a hit. Wad...were you at the Transit Coalition meeting in October when the topic of the Venice blvd service came up? It seemed like mostly everybody agreed that an improvement of service was needed on Venice and I wouldn't be surprised if the Rapid service was due to the Transit Coalition's recommendation.
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Post by ieko on Jan 16, 2010 11:57:43 GMT -8
The reason the rapid buses feel cleaner and more comfortable is because they're newer buses. Additionally the level of service on Venice is so high that the difference in service from rapid to limited stop may be negligable.
Although I really do like limited stop services whether it be a rapid or whatever, my hope is that 33 will get articulated buses when 733 begins because that is what I felt was needed when I brought the issue up at the TC meeting, I wasn't thinking about putting a rapid on Venice Blvd. The reason I say that is because when 733 comes into service some stops will be eliminated, and on a route that acts the way that 33/333 does where most of the stops have someone getting on or off you'll be putting more pressure on the already heavily burdened local route, so hopefully the articulated buses running on 333 right now can be put on 33 when all this goes down.
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