Post by bennyp81 on Jun 20, 2005 10:42:50 GMT -8
Bart Reed
User ID: 1606604 Jun 24th [2003] 7:58 AM
Los Angeles Daily News: Monday, June 23, 2003
Orange you glad?
By Lisa Mascaro
Staff Writer
Recognizing that image matters in Los Angeles, MTA officials want a bus makeover -- bright, orange California poppy-color paint, with metallic silver trim to bring "personality and vitality" to its bus fleet.
Under a proposal going before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's board Thursday, the system's 2,400 buses would get the new colors when they become due for new paint under existing schedules, or as new buses are ordered.
"We should know, here in Southern California, image is an important thing," Maya Emsden, the MTA's deputy executive officer for creative services, said Monday. "I want it to be like, '(The) bus, it's kind of cool.'
"That is absolutely the message that has gone out to all of us. ... This is about changing the way we do business."
The fresh paint would be one of the more catchy components of a yearlong overhaul of the agency's image, part of CEO Roger Snoble's strategy to get the word out that the MTA is working to improve public transit.
The agency boosted its advertising budget tenfold this past fiscal year to $4.5 million, to get out more information about bus and train services.
Officials hope the orange paint on regular buses and red paint on Metro Rapid buses will give riders a clearer picture of the two types of routes. Bus stop signs will soon follow suit.
Down the road, new services, like freeway express, could take on bright blue with silver trim.
"We think it will make a difference the way people react to the fleet," CEO Roger Snoble said last week during an MTA committee meeting at which the new color scheme was unveiled.
The MTA plans to start painting buses in coming months, with as many as 160 buses painted by year's end. The entire fleet would be done within three years.
Longtime MTA watchdog John Walsh said new paint does little toward getting better bus service.
"The No. 1 complaint you hear on the buses is not that you don't like the paint job. It's that they're dirty and they don't come often enough," said Walsh, who regularly takes the bus to work. "Clean it more often -- if they want to lighten, brighten it up."
But transit advocate Bart Reed said cleaning up MTA's image would go a long way toward improving bus service.
"The idea is a terrific ... positive idea that I never believed in my lifetime (the agency) would have done," said Reed, a bus rider and member of the MTA's San Fernando Valley Service Sector Council.
"There's a lot of people who are reticent to ride buses. If you get something that looks like quality, people will be less reticent to participate."
The agency also wants to revamp its "M" Metro logo that is supposed to be like a brand name for all its services -- Metro buses, rail, the subway, the freeway service patrol -- but is recognizable by just half those polled.
MTA officials said buses also would get new interior designs, and MTA trains would either get the silver paint or keep a stainless-steel look.
"Our buses, that's a pretty big physical presence on the streets in the county of Los Angeles. That's a big visual impact," said Emsden.
"It's not just a new color scheme, not just showing we care, but (that we) really care what kind of environment our customers are in."
Lisa Mascaro, e-mail: lisa.mascaro@dailynews.com
or phone: (818) 713-3761
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Friday, June 20, 2003
New Colors Proposed for MTA Buses
By Kurt Streeter
Times Staff Writer
Would you ride a bus because of its color? The Metropolitan Transportation Authority certainly hopes so.
Transit agency staff members on Thursday proposed a revamped graphic scheme for its buses and trains, a move meant to "brand" MTA vehicles in the hope that bold, new colors would boost stagnant transit ridership in Los Angeles County.
If the proposal is adopted by the MTA board, the current fleet of buses and trains — painted white with orangish stripes — would soon give way to color-coded buses decked out in bold red, orange or blue, and trains adorned in silver.
The proposal builds on the momentum of the Rapid Bus, the highly successful express service that runs on four routes in Los Angeles but is slated to expand to 27 routes over the next five years.
Rapid Buses are painted bright red, and transit officials believe their unique look partly explains why they have become some of MTA's most popular carriers.
As it does with the Rapid Bus, the agency now wants to match each type of bus service with an easily identifiable color.
Local buses, which make frequent stops and provide the bulk of MTA's service, would be an orange that MTA Chief Executive Roger Snoble described as "California poppy."
Limited-stop buses that run on freeways would be "periwinkle blue."
A swath of reflective silver would adorn the bottom third of the buses, making them easier to see at night.
"It's branding," said John Catoe, MTA's deputy chief executive. "We are creating something that is identifiable in the public eye. It's friendlier. It's more modern."
Added Maya Emsden, MTA director of creative services: "It's a hipper bus. It's a cooler bus. We live in Los Angeles; we shouldn't be afraid to be bold."
Catoe said that if the MTA board grants approval —the matter will most likely be taken up Thursday
— the new color scheme would be phased in over three years, with the fleet's 2,400 buses getting the new colors whenever they need repainting.
The color scheme clearly pleased the MTA board subcommittee. But some were skeptical of a proposal to do away with the old MTA logo, a roundish M sometimes placed within a circle.
Emsden, the creative services director, said the old logo is not doing its job. In surveys, many residents say they have no idea what the logo represents. Emsden proposed a new logo that she promoted as artistic and unique, with a bolder typeface, sharper edges and a slash through a portion of the letter.
Hal Bernson, MTA board chairman and Los Angeles city councilman, said he does not like the proposed logo. "It may be very arty and very fashionable, but I'm not sure it is going to be as recognizable as we think it is."
Bernson instead proposed that MTA use a cartoon character — "like a roadrunner" — to use along with its current logo. The cartoon character, he said, would create a friendlier, more lasting public impression. Bernson's idea was met with blank stares, rolled eyes and silence.
MTA board member Zev Yaroslavsky then said he first saw the proposed logo Wednesday. "I didn't like it then," he said. "Today, I like it."
"Well, maybe I'll like it tomorrow," Bernson replied.
Þ--Þ--Þ
karlarrec1
User ID: 3940374 Aug 13th 4:28 PM
Yesterday, while on lunch break in Van Nuys, I saw a Metro Rapid bus heading northbound...
It had been newly painted with metallic silver trim on the top and the bottom with "Metro" and "Rapid" in large white letters (using the new MTA font) in the silver portions. The middle section was still bright red, of course.
It looked really good, and I can't wait to see the rest of the fleet adopting the new paint scheme!
PForce
User ID: 1808544 Aug 19th 12:14 AM
I don't care if they paint them black, as long as they run on time and people don't have to wait 20 minutes or half an hour to get on a bus.
Elson
User ID: 1453344 Aug 27th 2:44 AM
Here's a pic of a newly-painted "Metro Local" bus:
www.chaffeeyiu.com/labus/mta-7980.jpg
Roberto
User ID: 9161143 Aug 27th 3:10 AM
Cool! Those are going to be nice, and they will definitely draw much more attention. Good marketing move.
Chrisk
User ID: 9481773 Aug 27th 3:15 AM
Yip. You can see the new Local and Rapid buses in the MTA yard when you're coming into Union Station with the Amtrak or Metrolink.
Cliffj
User ID: 9983153 Aug 27th 3:32 AM
WoW! Those ARE cool! I especially like the rims! I can see myself riding it as well as LA's tourist, BUT like Diane S. stated yesterday in a post, I'm sure after all the hub-bub, only the same bus riders will continue to ride (but lets keep our fingers crossed just in case :-)
Cliffj
User ID: 9983153 Aug 27th 3:42 AM
There was some discussion on a thread earlier in the summer about someone complaining about the current white with the *yellow* strip on the MTA fleet, and about how "bland and ugly"etc it looked. But looking at transit paint schemes around the country, I've got to say, some of the UGLIEST bus paint schemes I've ever seen are the Alameda Co. buses and the buses in the Oakland/Richmond area (I hope they aren't the same) But OOOHHHWEEEE...those are some butt-ugly buses to say the least!
Bert G
User ID: 8841313 Aug 27th 3:48 AM
I was in Oakland today and saw their new RAPID bus on San Pablo Ave. It's prety ugly. We have them beat on this one...
Dane
User ID: 8081443 Sep 6th 12:45 AM
I rode my first repainted bus today!
I caught the 304 @ Sepulveda. There it was, brightest poppy orange you've ever seen, with the silver accents and large "Local" designation across the lower splash panel. Nice, clean look, and the interior was nicely refurbished as well.
If anyone still has doubts regarding the success of this new "branding" paint scheme...well - let's just say it got a lot of notice. I carefully observed the drivers in the adjoining traffic flow, and a large percentage of them stared in wonder at the new bus all the way down the street.
Chrisk
User ID: 9481773 Sep 6th 1:50 AM
Well that certainly is good news!
Now, the real challenge is to actually get those drivers to take the bus.
Cliffj
User ID: 9983153 Sep 6th 3:58 AM
Wow, sounds great, nice touch! But I must confess something to this board...hmmm, I'm really John!
JUST KIDDING...JUST KIDDING!!!!
I'm Diane...NO NO JUST KIDDING AGAIN !!!
Okay, I'll be serious,
=======
I know that the trains will be painted silver soon and I'm afraid that it'll take away FROM the beauty and sleekness of the trains, rather than enhance them. The white with the 'yellow' stripe down the sides offer a sleekness and complements the sunny California image that L.A. offers.
The same with the bronze and black corrigated subway cars. I'm not a fan of 'box-type' heavy rail cars as I am about 'A' shaped cars (ala BART, MARTA etc), but I don't want to see them painted silver! Any comments?
Cliffj
Chrisk
User ID: 9481773 Sep 6th 10:18 PM
I definitely agree with you Cliffj. I think the current paint scheme of the light rail cars in LA look really nice. I especially think the yellow stripe looks really good on the P2000.
But that aside, I was wondering today if the MTA would one day paint the LRVs and HRTs with the color of the line they serve. So, we'd see a red stripe on the Red Line, a green stripe on the Green Line, etc.
If I remember correctly, the Blue Line has a Blue "Metro" logo on the side, while the P2000s all have the yellow/orange Metro logo like the buses..
Once LA starts getting more lines and more colors, and when the DTC/Metro Center Connector goes online, it would really help the riders if colored stripes or some type of identification can be made for the car. (Considering the current track record the the headsigns for the Gold Line..)
Dennis Lytton
User ID: 0534004 Sep 6th 10:36 PM
Actually, for the last few weeks the headsigns have been up-to-snuff. "Union" or "Sierra Madre" and the computerized voice has been calling the stops.
Chrisk
User ID: 9481773 Sep 7th 12:24 AM
Along with "Happy New Year"
(Saw that on one of the trains at Sierra Madre Villa)
Well hearing that the headsigns are actually correct now is very good news! I'm gonna have to go up there and check out the computerized voice thing!
(Is it the same voice as the guy on the Green Line?)
Roberto
User ID: 9161143 Sep 7th 4:29 AM
::: gag :::
I guess it's all a matter of personal taste, but I can't wait for the LRT cars to be repainted. The current scheme is a bit 70s-ish, and frankly, very plain and boring.
We really need something unique and more noticeable ... something to give our city more character. Even months after coming back home, visitors to London always remember the color of the buses and even the interior paint scheme on the Underground. I'm sure it was the same way with the Red and Yellow cars in L.A. way back in the day ... they were famous worldwide, and a symbol of L.A.
Nowadays, precious few would remember what color the Blue Line trains and the local buses were painted when they visited L.A. a year ago. And I bet almost nobody snapped a picture of one.
Paul Britton Jr.
User ID: 2616364 Sep 7th 5:19 AM
wow...the turnaround on this has been great! The new livery is orgasmic!
Once the 304 turns into a Metro Rapid line around this time next year, some of those very same drivers may just dump the car for a faster "Metro" ride.
I said "Metro" because I think one of the smartest ideas in this rebranding exercise is the emphasis on *Metro* as a brand. People in other cities that have a "Metro" brand history don't say "I took the bus/train", they say I took the "metro".
In addition, there is at least ONE restyled "Express" livery bus operating on the 460 Express Route b/t Downtown Los Angeles & the Disneyland Resort. I didn't get to ride on it, but I saw it flash past on the opposite side of the Harbor Freeway Transitway. It had all the same trimmings as the Local bus, except instead of california poppy it was deep/vibrant blue. Related, there are a number of Metro Rapid buses operating on the 460 Express route lately. I haven't seen them run Metro Rapid buses anywhere outside of actual Metro Rapid lines, have any of you? Odd.
As to putting on a "paint strip" to rail cars that conotes the line they are operating on...not sure that is such a good idea. Especially since the P2000 cars & new Breda cars are ment to operate on multiple lines. If I recall correctly, rail cars get painted only every 4 years.
On opening weekend, and in the times I've rode since, yes. Until this past Thursday...I heard a female voice b/t Chinatown & Union Station. Not sure if all she does is tell people in English & Spanish to keep your feet off the seats or if she also calls out stations & tells passengers this is train is going out of service. ;-)
Dane
User ID: 8081443 Sep 8th 12:30 AM
The female voice is merely the spanish translation of the rules and regulations notice.
karlarrec1
User ID: 3940374 Sep 8th 1:02 AM
Just wanted to mention that I saw a new Metro Local bus today on Ventura Blvd.
It was dark out, so it didn't catch my eye as I hoped it would, but I'm sure it will during the daytime. Plus, the silver parts will reflect in the sunlight. It looked nice though!
Roberto
User ID: 9161143 Sep 8th 3:22 AM
For those really into the pre-recorded announcements, the Spanish version of the rules on the Gold Line is not worded exactly the same as the one on the Green Line. And the Green Line voice is male, while the Gold Line voice is female.
Those of you that want to see the new painted buses, there are several running on the #4 line, down Santa Monica Blvd. They look fantastic! Hats off to whoever's idea it was to finally update the paint scheme to something more unique.
Yes and no. People in other cities take the "metro", but that means they took the train or subway, not the bus. L.A. is the only place I've ever been where "metro" also referred to the bus. I find that tactic confusing, even more so for Spanish speakers who call the trains "metro", but never the bus.
I see that as an awkward attempt to boost the image of the buses by referring to them by the same word as the trains.
User ID: 1606604 Jun 24th [2003] 7:58 AM
Los Angeles Daily News: Monday, June 23, 2003
Orange you glad?
By Lisa Mascaro
Staff Writer
Recognizing that image matters in Los Angeles, MTA officials want a bus makeover -- bright, orange California poppy-color paint, with metallic silver trim to bring "personality and vitality" to its bus fleet.
Under a proposal going before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's board Thursday, the system's 2,400 buses would get the new colors when they become due for new paint under existing schedules, or as new buses are ordered.
"We should know, here in Southern California, image is an important thing," Maya Emsden, the MTA's deputy executive officer for creative services, said Monday. "I want it to be like, '(The) bus, it's kind of cool.'
"That is absolutely the message that has gone out to all of us. ... This is about changing the way we do business."
The fresh paint would be one of the more catchy components of a yearlong overhaul of the agency's image, part of CEO Roger Snoble's strategy to get the word out that the MTA is working to improve public transit.
The agency boosted its advertising budget tenfold this past fiscal year to $4.5 million, to get out more information about bus and train services.
Officials hope the orange paint on regular buses and red paint on Metro Rapid buses will give riders a clearer picture of the two types of routes. Bus stop signs will soon follow suit.
Down the road, new services, like freeway express, could take on bright blue with silver trim.
"We think it will make a difference the way people react to the fleet," CEO Roger Snoble said last week during an MTA committee meeting at which the new color scheme was unveiled.
The MTA plans to start painting buses in coming months, with as many as 160 buses painted by year's end. The entire fleet would be done within three years.
Longtime MTA watchdog John Walsh said new paint does little toward getting better bus service.
"The No. 1 complaint you hear on the buses is not that you don't like the paint job. It's that they're dirty and they don't come often enough," said Walsh, who regularly takes the bus to work. "Clean it more often -- if they want to lighten, brighten it up."
But transit advocate Bart Reed said cleaning up MTA's image would go a long way toward improving bus service.
"The idea is a terrific ... positive idea that I never believed in my lifetime (the agency) would have done," said Reed, a bus rider and member of the MTA's San Fernando Valley Service Sector Council.
"There's a lot of people who are reticent to ride buses. If you get something that looks like quality, people will be less reticent to participate."
The agency also wants to revamp its "M" Metro logo that is supposed to be like a brand name for all its services -- Metro buses, rail, the subway, the freeway service patrol -- but is recognizable by just half those polled.
MTA officials said buses also would get new interior designs, and MTA trains would either get the silver paint or keep a stainless-steel look.
"Our buses, that's a pretty big physical presence on the streets in the county of Los Angeles. That's a big visual impact," said Emsden.
"It's not just a new color scheme, not just showing we care, but (that we) really care what kind of environment our customers are in."
Lisa Mascaro, e-mail: lisa.mascaro@dailynews.com
or phone: (818) 713-3761
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Friday, June 20, 2003
New Colors Proposed for MTA Buses
By Kurt Streeter
Times Staff Writer
Would you ride a bus because of its color? The Metropolitan Transportation Authority certainly hopes so.
Transit agency staff members on Thursday proposed a revamped graphic scheme for its buses and trains, a move meant to "brand" MTA vehicles in the hope that bold, new colors would boost stagnant transit ridership in Los Angeles County.
If the proposal is adopted by the MTA board, the current fleet of buses and trains — painted white with orangish stripes — would soon give way to color-coded buses decked out in bold red, orange or blue, and trains adorned in silver.
The proposal builds on the momentum of the Rapid Bus, the highly successful express service that runs on four routes in Los Angeles but is slated to expand to 27 routes over the next five years.
Rapid Buses are painted bright red, and transit officials believe their unique look partly explains why they have become some of MTA's most popular carriers.
As it does with the Rapid Bus, the agency now wants to match each type of bus service with an easily identifiable color.
Local buses, which make frequent stops and provide the bulk of MTA's service, would be an orange that MTA Chief Executive Roger Snoble described as "California poppy."
Limited-stop buses that run on freeways would be "periwinkle blue."
A swath of reflective silver would adorn the bottom third of the buses, making them easier to see at night.
"It's branding," said John Catoe, MTA's deputy chief executive. "We are creating something that is identifiable in the public eye. It's friendlier. It's more modern."
Added Maya Emsden, MTA director of creative services: "It's a hipper bus. It's a cooler bus. We live in Los Angeles; we shouldn't be afraid to be bold."
Catoe said that if the MTA board grants approval —the matter will most likely be taken up Thursday
— the new color scheme would be phased in over three years, with the fleet's 2,400 buses getting the new colors whenever they need repainting.
The color scheme clearly pleased the MTA board subcommittee. But some were skeptical of a proposal to do away with the old MTA logo, a roundish M sometimes placed within a circle.
Emsden, the creative services director, said the old logo is not doing its job. In surveys, many residents say they have no idea what the logo represents. Emsden proposed a new logo that she promoted as artistic and unique, with a bolder typeface, sharper edges and a slash through a portion of the letter.
Hal Bernson, MTA board chairman and Los Angeles city councilman, said he does not like the proposed logo. "It may be very arty and very fashionable, but I'm not sure it is going to be as recognizable as we think it is."
Bernson instead proposed that MTA use a cartoon character — "like a roadrunner" — to use along with its current logo. The cartoon character, he said, would create a friendlier, more lasting public impression. Bernson's idea was met with blank stares, rolled eyes and silence.
MTA board member Zev Yaroslavsky then said he first saw the proposed logo Wednesday. "I didn't like it then," he said. "Today, I like it."
"Well, maybe I'll like it tomorrow," Bernson replied.
Þ--Þ--Þ
karlarrec1
User ID: 3940374 Aug 13th 4:28 PM
Yesterday, while on lunch break in Van Nuys, I saw a Metro Rapid bus heading northbound...
It had been newly painted with metallic silver trim on the top and the bottom with "Metro" and "Rapid" in large white letters (using the new MTA font) in the silver portions. The middle section was still bright red, of course.
It looked really good, and I can't wait to see the rest of the fleet adopting the new paint scheme!
PForce
User ID: 1808544 Aug 19th 12:14 AM
I don't care if they paint them black, as long as they run on time and people don't have to wait 20 minutes or half an hour to get on a bus.
Elson
User ID: 1453344 Aug 27th 2:44 AM
Here's a pic of a newly-painted "Metro Local" bus:
www.chaffeeyiu.com/labus/mta-7980.jpg
Roberto
User ID: 9161143 Aug 27th 3:10 AM
Cool! Those are going to be nice, and they will definitely draw much more attention. Good marketing move.
Chrisk
User ID: 9481773 Aug 27th 3:15 AM
Yip. You can see the new Local and Rapid buses in the MTA yard when you're coming into Union Station with the Amtrak or Metrolink.
Cliffj
User ID: 9983153 Aug 27th 3:32 AM
WoW! Those ARE cool! I especially like the rims! I can see myself riding it as well as LA's tourist, BUT like Diane S. stated yesterday in a post, I'm sure after all the hub-bub, only the same bus riders will continue to ride (but lets keep our fingers crossed just in case :-)
Cliffj
User ID: 9983153 Aug 27th 3:42 AM
There was some discussion on a thread earlier in the summer about someone complaining about the current white with the *yellow* strip on the MTA fleet, and about how "bland and ugly"etc it looked. But looking at transit paint schemes around the country, I've got to say, some of the UGLIEST bus paint schemes I've ever seen are the Alameda Co. buses and the buses in the Oakland/Richmond area (I hope they aren't the same) But OOOHHHWEEEE...those are some butt-ugly buses to say the least!
Bert G
User ID: 8841313 Aug 27th 3:48 AM
I was in Oakland today and saw their new RAPID bus on San Pablo Ave. It's prety ugly. We have them beat on this one...
Dane
User ID: 8081443 Sep 6th 12:45 AM
I rode my first repainted bus today!
I caught the 304 @ Sepulveda. There it was, brightest poppy orange you've ever seen, with the silver accents and large "Local" designation across the lower splash panel. Nice, clean look, and the interior was nicely refurbished as well.
If anyone still has doubts regarding the success of this new "branding" paint scheme...well - let's just say it got a lot of notice. I carefully observed the drivers in the adjoining traffic flow, and a large percentage of them stared in wonder at the new bus all the way down the street.
Chrisk
User ID: 9481773 Sep 6th 1:50 AM
I carefully observed the drivers in the adjoining traffic flow, and a large percentage of them stared in wonder at the new bus all the way down the street.
Well that certainly is good news!
Now, the real challenge is to actually get those drivers to take the bus.
Cliffj
User ID: 9983153 Sep 6th 3:58 AM
[...]with the silver accents and large "Local" designation across the lower splash panel.
Wow, sounds great, nice touch! But I must confess something to this board...hmmm, I'm really John!
JUST KIDDING...JUST KIDDING!!!!
I'm Diane...NO NO JUST KIDDING AGAIN !!!
Okay, I'll be serious,
=======
I know that the trains will be painted silver soon and I'm afraid that it'll take away FROM the beauty and sleekness of the trains, rather than enhance them. The white with the 'yellow' stripe down the sides offer a sleekness and complements the sunny California image that L.A. offers.
The same with the bronze and black corrigated subway cars. I'm not a fan of 'box-type' heavy rail cars as I am about 'A' shaped cars (ala BART, MARTA etc), but I don't want to see them painted silver! Any comments?
Cliffj
Chrisk
User ID: 9481773 Sep 6th 10:18 PM
I definitely agree with you Cliffj. I think the current paint scheme of the light rail cars in LA look really nice. I especially think the yellow stripe looks really good on the P2000.
But that aside, I was wondering today if the MTA would one day paint the LRVs and HRTs with the color of the line they serve. So, we'd see a red stripe on the Red Line, a green stripe on the Green Line, etc.
If I remember correctly, the Blue Line has a Blue "Metro" logo on the side, while the P2000s all have the yellow/orange Metro logo like the buses..
Once LA starts getting more lines and more colors, and when the DTC/Metro Center Connector goes online, it would really help the riders if colored stripes or some type of identification can be made for the car. (Considering the current track record the the headsigns for the Gold Line..)
Dennis Lytton
User ID: 0534004 Sep 6th 10:36 PM
(Considering the current track record the the headsigns for the Gold Line[...])
Actually, for the last few weeks the headsigns have been up-to-snuff. "Union" or "Sierra Madre" and the computerized voice has been calling the stops.
Chrisk
User ID: 9481773 Sep 7th 12:24 AM
Along with "Happy New Year"
(Saw that on one of the trains at Sierra Madre Villa)
Well hearing that the headsigns are actually correct now is very good news! I'm gonna have to go up there and check out the computerized voice thing!
(Is it the same voice as the guy on the Green Line?)
Roberto
User ID: 9161143 Sep 7th 4:29 AM
I think the current paint scheme of the light rail cars in LA look really nice. I especially think the yellow stripe looks really good on the P2000.
::: gag :::
I guess it's all a matter of personal taste, but I can't wait for the LRT cars to be repainted. The current scheme is a bit 70s-ish, and frankly, very plain and boring.
We really need something unique and more noticeable ... something to give our city more character. Even months after coming back home, visitors to London always remember the color of the buses and even the interior paint scheme on the Underground. I'm sure it was the same way with the Red and Yellow cars in L.A. way back in the day ... they were famous worldwide, and a symbol of L.A.
Nowadays, precious few would remember what color the Blue Line trains and the local buses were painted when they visited L.A. a year ago. And I bet almost nobody snapped a picture of one.
Paul Britton Jr.
User ID: 2616364 Sep 7th 5:19 AM
wow...the turnaround on this has been great! The new livery is orgasmic!
Once the 304 turns into a Metro Rapid line around this time next year, some of those very same drivers may just dump the car for a faster "Metro" ride.
I said "Metro" because I think one of the smartest ideas in this rebranding exercise is the emphasis on *Metro* as a brand. People in other cities that have a "Metro" brand history don't say "I took the bus/train", they say I took the "metro".
In addition, there is at least ONE restyled "Express" livery bus operating on the 460 Express Route b/t Downtown Los Angeles & the Disneyland Resort. I didn't get to ride on it, but I saw it flash past on the opposite side of the Harbor Freeway Transitway. It had all the same trimmings as the Local bus, except instead of california poppy it was deep/vibrant blue. Related, there are a number of Metro Rapid buses operating on the 460 Express route lately. I haven't seen them run Metro Rapid buses anywhere outside of actual Metro Rapid lines, have any of you? Odd.
As to putting on a "paint strip" to rail cars that conotes the line they are operating on...not sure that is such a good idea. Especially since the P2000 cars & new Breda cars are ment to operate on multiple lines. If I recall correctly, rail cars get painted only every 4 years.
Is it the same voice as the guy on the Green Line?
On opening weekend, and in the times I've rode since, yes. Until this past Thursday...I heard a female voice b/t Chinatown & Union Station. Not sure if all she does is tell people in English & Spanish to keep your feet off the seats or if she also calls out stations & tells passengers this is train is going out of service. ;-)
Dane
User ID: 8081443 Sep 8th 12:30 AM
The female voice is merely the spanish translation of the rules and regulations notice.
karlarrec1
User ID: 3940374 Sep 8th 1:02 AM
Just wanted to mention that I saw a new Metro Local bus today on Ventura Blvd.
It was dark out, so it didn't catch my eye as I hoped it would, but I'm sure it will during the daytime. Plus, the silver parts will reflect in the sunlight. It looked nice though!
Roberto
User ID: 9161143 Sep 8th 3:22 AM
The female voice is merely the spanish translation of the rules and regulations notice.
For those really into the pre-recorded announcements, the Spanish version of the rules on the Gold Line is not worded exactly the same as the one on the Green Line. And the Green Line voice is male, while the Gold Line voice is female.
Those of you that want to see the new painted buses, there are several running on the #4 line, down Santa Monica Blvd. They look fantastic! Hats off to whoever's idea it was to finally update the paint scheme to something more unique.
People in other cities that have a "Metro" brand history don't say "I took the bus/train", they say I took the "metro".
Yes and no. People in other cities take the "metro", but that means they took the train or subway, not the bus. L.A. is the only place I've ever been where "metro" also referred to the bus. I find that tactic confusing, even more so for Spanish speakers who call the trains "metro", but never the bus.
I see that as an awkward attempt to boost the image of the buses by referring to them by the same word as the trains.
)