Post by tonyw79sfv on Jun 23, 2010 23:45:55 GMT -8
We've hit a transit milestone on this day (which is my birthday BTW); 10 years ago on 24 June 2000 Metro opened the last leg of the Red Line to North Hollywood, extending the line from Hollywood/Vine; the Metro Rapid bus system also debuted with Ventura Rapid line 750 and Wilshire Rapid line 720 (still the ridership heavyweight).
That time marked the first and last time the San Fernando Valley got modern urban rail service, and also the last time we've had any advancement on our heavy rail system - although with the multitude of Purple Line meetings, we'll soon see a resurgence in expanding our heavy rail system. I myself have been riding the line (and system) the past 5 years, mostly due to my job in East Hollywood, and find it to be the most valuable asset to the city and county. One thing to note is that despite a lot of past opposition for the Red and Orange Line construction, most in the Valley would be in favor of rail. Before the North Hollywood extension opened, the Red (and Purple) Line ridership was below 100k, in fact, it was 60k; it ballooned up to 120k and as much as today's 150k+ boardings - all due to the connectivity the line affords for Valley residents. One thing apparent is that the North Hollywood station parking lot is always full while the next available lot, on the Orange Line at Van Nuys, sees 1% of that demand (but has very high demand on arterial bus connection) - which shows rail's ability to persuade an eclectic demographic to the system not seen in bus (or BRT). Let's hope that the future holds in store more rail service in the SFV - the possible conversion of the Orange Line to rail, the Sepulveda Pass corridor, and hopefully a line that can go deeper north in the Valley.
This past Sunday, the LA Daily News published three articles surrounding the decade anniversary of the most important transit connection between the basin and the Valley.
Red Line 10 years old but still in its infancy
Officials say subway has slowed growth of freeway congestion in Valley
The push is on to improve existing lines, add new ones.
That time marked the first and last time the San Fernando Valley got modern urban rail service, and also the last time we've had any advancement on our heavy rail system - although with the multitude of Purple Line meetings, we'll soon see a resurgence in expanding our heavy rail system. I myself have been riding the line (and system) the past 5 years, mostly due to my job in East Hollywood, and find it to be the most valuable asset to the city and county. One thing to note is that despite a lot of past opposition for the Red and Orange Line construction, most in the Valley would be in favor of rail. Before the North Hollywood extension opened, the Red (and Purple) Line ridership was below 100k, in fact, it was 60k; it ballooned up to 120k and as much as today's 150k+ boardings - all due to the connectivity the line affords for Valley residents. One thing apparent is that the North Hollywood station parking lot is always full while the next available lot, on the Orange Line at Van Nuys, sees 1% of that demand (but has very high demand on arterial bus connection) - which shows rail's ability to persuade an eclectic demographic to the system not seen in bus (or BRT). Let's hope that the future holds in store more rail service in the SFV - the possible conversion of the Orange Line to rail, the Sepulveda Pass corridor, and hopefully a line that can go deeper north in the Valley.
This past Sunday, the LA Daily News published three articles surrounding the decade anniversary of the most important transit connection between the basin and the Valley.
Red Line 10 years old but still in its infancy
Officials say subway has slowed growth of freeway congestion in Valley
The push is on to improve existing lines, add new ones.
.