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Post by Dan Wentzel on Jan 4, 2011 11:48:26 GMT -8
I thought as a trial that the 439 should have stayed dropping the downtown portion and connecting Expo to LAX.
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Post by crzwdjk on Jan 4, 2011 13:33:30 GMT -8
It's interesting that they're extending routes like the 217 and 30. I think at some point a few years ago, the MTA was very interested in breaking up long routes, possibly for reliability reasons, and now they're combining short routes into longer ones.
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Post by Gokhan on Jan 4, 2011 14:26:59 GMT -8
Metro has come out with its Expo line bus service suggestion: www.metro.net/about/service-councils/notice-public-hearing/30/305/550/730 - Select Line 30 trips will be extended north/west from Pico/Rimpau terminal on San Vicente to West Hollywood. (Not sure what all this has to do with Expo line but I think #30 made a wrong turn... ;D shouldn't it be going south to Expo/La Cienega instead?)Is the easiest way to access West Hollywood from the Expo Line through San Vicente and La Brea and San Vicente and La Cienega?
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Post by bzcat on Jan 4, 2011 17:00:18 GMT -8
Metro has come out with its Expo line bus service suggestion: www.metro.net/about/service-councils/notice-public-hearing/30/305/550/730 - Select Line 30 trips will be extended north/west from Pico/Rimpau terminal on San Vicente to West Hollywood. (Not sure what all this has to do with Expo line but I think #30 made a wrong turn... ;D shouldn't it be going south to Expo/La Cienega instead?)Is the easiest way to access West Hollywood from the Expo Line through San Vicente and La Brea and San Vicente and La Cienega? 705 runs from West Hollywood (Santa Monica/La Cienega) to Expo via La Cienega. That is the most direct route. The changes that Metro is proposing for #30 and canceling 305 has nothing to do with Expo. Just an excuse to kill 305, which Metro has tried to do before. If Metro really wanted to connect Rimpau with Expo line, #30 needs to turn south towards Expo, not north towards West Hollywood.
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Post by redwings105th on Jan 4, 2011 21:36:22 GMT -8
Wouldn't the 305 already provide a connection to the Crenshaw Expo Station from Pico/Rimpau AND West Hollywood?
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Post by bzcat on Jan 5, 2011 11:06:54 GMT -8
Wouldn't the 305 already provide a connection to the Crenshaw Expo Station from Pico/Rimpau AND West Hollywood? Exactly... which is why I think killing it as part of "Expo service improvement" is a pure comedy. 305 will have added importance when Expo starts running because it will provide a link between Rimpau and Expo.
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elray
Junior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by elray on Jan 5, 2011 23:28:17 GMT -8
Metro has come out with its Expo line bus service suggestion: www.metro.net/about/service-councils/notice-public-hearing/... 42 - Reroute to EXPO Western Station and discontinue service east of Western Av. to downtown LA. (Makes sense)... 217/439 - Cancel Line 439; extend select Line 217 trips over Line 439 route south of Fairfax/Washington Transit Hub, serving the EXPO La Cienega Station. (Make sense that 439 between Fairfax/Washington and Downtown is better served by Expo from La Cienega. The real question is will there be adequate service between Fox Hills transit center and LAX bus center and Expo line, period)Not so fast. (Hey, thats funny!) I ride from LAX/Westchester to/from USC, Trade Tech, Union Station, and Chinatown. Cancelling the 439 and re-routing the 42 to Western takes a single-seat ride and adds one or two transfers. Likewise for your earlier suggestion re: BBB#10, which services a large number of stops on either side of the freeway segment and makes it all the way to LAUS. Expo is not a cure-all, and it shouldn't need bus cancellations to boost ridership. What "makes sense" to some is crazy for others. :-) We'll survive regardless - if the current trends continue, with transit planning consistently missing the mark, we'll either be moving to a more strategic location, or driving that car we bought out of frustration with Big Blue and Expo II.
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Post by redwings105th on Jan 6, 2011 6:54:50 GMT -8
If the 42 is going to be shortened, why shorten it at western station and not on crenshaw station? It be pointless to take the line all the way to western if the closest station for the 42 is crenshaw station.
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Jan 6, 2011 8:17:36 GMT -8
Not so fast. (Hey, thats funny!) I ride from LAX/Westchester to/from USC, Trade Tech, Union Station, and Chinatown. Cancelling the 439 and re-routing the 42 to Western takes a single-seat ride and adds one or two transfers. Likewise for your earlier suggestion re: BBB#10, which services a large number of stops on either side of the freeway segment and makes it all the way to LAUS. Expo is not a cure-all, and it shouldn't need bus cancellations to boost ridership. What "makes sense" to some is crazy for others. :-) We'll survive regardless - if the current trends continue, with transit planning consistently missing the mark, we'll either be moving to a more strategic location, or driving that car we bought out of frustration with Big Blue and Expo II. Can't you take LADOT commuter express 438? (http://www.ladottransit.com/comexp/routes/438/438.php). And then transfer to either line 81 or the Silver Line at Figueroa and you will still connect to USC/Trade Tech from the Financial District/Chinatown. I don't know how the 439 already connected all those places together.
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elray
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Post by elray on Jan 6, 2011 9:33:39 GMT -8
Not so fast. (Hey, thats funny!) I ride from LAX/Westchester to/from USC, Trade Tech, Union Station, and Chinatown. Cancelling the 439 and re-routing the 42 to Western takes a single-seat ride and adds one or two transfers. Can't you take LADOT commuter express 438? (http://www.ladottransit.com/comexp/routes/438/438.php). And then transfer to either line 81 or the Silver Line at Figueroa and you will still connect to USC/Trade Tech from the Financial District/Chinatown. I don't know how the 439 already connected all those places together. The 438 has its charm, but it only works if you are riding at peak and in the right direction. Unclear why I'd need a transfer, as there are stops within walking distance (my definition, not hers) of Trade Tech and USC. 42 connects a superset of my relevant 439 stops (439 skips USC), otherwise serves the same endpoints. Both are on the chopping block. In each case, the proposed cuts add two transfers to what is now a single-seat ride. If I had to choose, I'd lose the 439, and keep the 42 intact. Slow and meandering, single-seat, beats new forced transfers hands-down. My historical mental headcount of Southbound 42 traffic - is that, at best, 30% of those boarding east of Western alight past Crenshaw. Perhaps thats not enough to justify keeping the route, where the majority would be served by the 40.
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Post by bzcat on Jan 12, 2011 16:14:23 GMT -8
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Jan 12, 2011 17:35:20 GMT -8
Article below mentions that Culver City is seeking County funding for an Expo shuttle to connect Venice/Robertson with Downtown. I think this shuttle should start by heading west on Washington, turn onto Main then whip around Sony Studios to Overland and return back to the station on Venice. For 3 shuttles, that means service will be constant (5 minute headways?).
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Post by wad on Jan 13, 2011 5:15:47 GMT -8
305 will have added importance when Expo starts running because it will provide a link between Rimpau and Expo. Considering that Rimpau only exists to facilitate east-west trips -- from Pico to Pico -- there doesn't need to be a connection since Expo would be a parallel service. Riders can shift trips to more frequent north-south lines.
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Post by bzcat on Jan 13, 2011 10:52:20 GMT -8
I think this shuttle should start by heading west on Washington, turn onto Main then whip around Sony Studios to Overland and return back to the station on Venice. For 3 shuttles, that means service will be constant (5 minute headways?). I think they intend to start the service from the La Cienega station (since that is where Expo will run initially), hence the reference to "Hayden Tract". Once it reach Downtown, I think the shuttle should take Culver to Sony rather than Washington. This way, the shuttle makes right turns only and will make an easier route to operate. La Cienega station layover on Jefferson - National/Washington - Venice/Robertson - Donwtown (Culver/Washington) - Culver/Overland - Sony Lot/Famima!! - Overland/Washington - Downtown - Venice/Robertson - National/Washington - La Cienega station. 3x 30ft buses should be enough for off peak 7~8 minutes headway. Rush hour service will probably need 40ft buses.
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elray
Junior Member
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Post by elray on Jan 15, 2011 23:21:29 GMT -8
And something more surprising... Apparently Culver City received funds (Federal? State? County?) to purchase 6 artic buses (I assume for Rapid 6) but has been sitting on the money because it doesn't have maintenance facility to handle them. Can artics even make it up Sepulveda?
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Post by tonyw79sfv on Jan 16, 2011 0:23:57 GMT -8
And something more surprising... Apparently Culver City received funds (Federal? State? County?) to purchase 6 artic buses (I assume for Rapid 6) but has been sitting on the money because it doesn't have maintenance facility to handle them. Can artics even make it up Sepulveda? Are you referring to Sepulveda Boulevard around Westchester? Grades are pretty subtle there, artics should have no problems navigating it considering Metro Rapid 761 takes on even more challenging grades through the Sepulveda Pass and Foothill Transit's Silver Streak slogs over the Kellogg Hill (freeway interchange for I-10, SR57, and SR71) pretty much every day for both lines using NABI 60BRT buses.
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Post by ieko on Jan 16, 2011 15:38:08 GMT -8
I think Culver City not getting articulated buses yet come from two issues -- no facility to handle them, and their preferred vendor, New Flyer, not offering a CNG articulated bus.
New Flyer will offer an articulated CNG bus starting in 2012 with the XC60. Omnitrans will be the first to get it, Culver City will be the first to get the 40ft version (XC40).
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Post by bzcat on Jan 21, 2011 17:15:10 GMT -8
I think Culver City not getting articulated buses yet come from two issues -- no facility to handle them, and their preferred vendor, New Flyer, not offering a CNG articulated bus. New Flyer will offer an articulated CNG bus starting in 2012 with the XC60. Omnitrans will be the first to get it, Culver City will be the first to get the 40ft version (XC40). That makes sense. I forgot that NABI was the only one to make 60ft CNG bus.
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Post by bzcat on Feb 16, 2011 15:10:21 GMT -8
www.bigbluebus.com/home/index.asp?noticeid=2Big Blue Bus will reveal its Expo line service plan at its Community Meetings in March. # More Rapid 7; less local Route 7: Study results indicate more than half of Pico Blvd. riders are choosing to board Rapid 7 buses over local Route 7 buses. As a result, BBB plans to increase Rapid 7 frequency and extend service to the Metro Red Line (Wilshire at Western), which requires a decrease in local Route 7 service frequency. # Convert Express 10 to Rapid 10: Increased street congestion has been slowing this primarily freeway-bound route. To speed this primarily commuter service back up, BBB plans to convert it from a local to a Rapid style service by reducing the number of stops along the route. # Goodbye, Route 13?: Ridership has dropped since both Rapid 7 and local Route 7 duplicate most of this service. Due to low demand and high peak hour cost of operation, BBB plans to discontinue this service to support improvements on more popular services. # Hello, Expo Light Rail!: When, where and how BBB will interface with this new service will be previewed.
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Feb 17, 2011 13:01:58 GMT -8
Goodbye, Route 13?: Ridership has dropped since both Rapid 7 and local Route 7 duplicate most of this service. Due to low demand and high peak hour cost of operation, BBB plans to discontinue this service to support improvements on more popular services. Good riddance to Line 13. No more bus service to Cheviot Hills. Woohoo! Glad to see a less deserving place suffer.
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dane
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by dane on Feb 17, 2011 15:07:35 GMT -8
Goodbye, Route 13?: Ridership has dropped since both Rapid 7 and local Route 7 duplicate most of this service. Due to low demand and high peak hour cost of operation, BBB plans to discontinue this service to support improvements on more popular services. Good riddance to Line 13. No more bus service to Cheviot Hills. Woohoo! Glad to see a less deserving place suffer. Oh my! How will their hired domestic help workers get there?
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Post by bzcat on Feb 17, 2011 16:23:39 GMT -8
Good riddance to Line 13. No more bus service to Cheviot Hills. Woohoo! Glad to see a less deserving place suffer. Oh my! How will their hired domestic help workers get there? Lol... While it sucks that the domestic workers are losing their #13, in the long run, this will work out better for them (Expo line plus more reliable/frequent Rapid 7). Also, I suppose when Expo II reaches National Blvd, BBB can always bring back a modified #13 that runs from National/Exposition to Century City (via Manning, Motor Ave, Ave of The Stars to Constellation) to Venice/Robertson (via Constellation, Olympic, Beverwil, Monte Mar, and Robertson).
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Post by carter on Feb 20, 2011 11:36:54 GMT -8
Big Blue Bus Expo Integration PlansFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Francine Pares / 949-481-7559 February 18, 2011 fpares@intelibrand.com Big Blue Bus to Discuss Expo Integration Plans, Service Changes and Other Topics at Upcoming Community Meetings • Agenda to also include results of line-by-line ridership analysis and five-year service plan. SANTA MONICA, Calif. - The Big Blue Bus has announced its schedule of upcoming community meetings, which will take place at locations throughout the Big Blue Bus service area. The meetings will be held March 2 through March 10. The Big Blue Bus is seeking to garner public feedback on improvements being considered as part of the transit agency's five-year service plan. Big Blue Bus representatives will also present results of the line-by-line analysis, conducted every three years, which examines how the Big Blue Bus system is being used, the changing needs of the community, each line's productivity and use patterns, and how the system is working as a whole. Several important service changes will also be proposed for the coming years as the Big Blue Bus plans for Expo Light Rail Phase 1, including options to improve downtown circulation and create operating efficiencies. Many of the proposed service adjustments would modify routes and schedules to allocate resources to the most productive services and to new transit corridors that will interface with Expo. Proposals include increasing Rapid 7 service over local Route 7 service due to popular demand, converting the Express 10 to a Rapid 10 service to maintain and improve frequency, eliminating Route 13 due to low ridership, and eliminating line 2 service in Santa Monica to reduce duplication of line 1 service In Venice. The Big Blue Bus community meetings are scheduled to take place as follows: • Wednesday, March 2nd, Ken Edwards Center, 6 pm - 8 pm. Serviced by routes 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9. • Thursday, March 3rd, Palms/Rancho Park Library, 6 pm - 8 pm. Serviced by routes 8 and 12. • Saturday, March 5th, Santa Monica Main Library, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm. Serviced by routes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10. • Tuesday, March 8th, Virginia Avenue Park, Thelma Terry Center, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Serviced by route 7. • Wednesday, March 9th, UCLA Ackerman Union, 12 pm - 2 pm. Serviced by routes 1, 2, 3, 8, 11, 12 and Super 12. • Thursday, March 10, Santa Monica College Main Campus Library, 11 am - 1 pm. Serviced by routes 6, 7, Rapid 7, 8, 11, Sunset Ride and Crosstown Ride. All meetings will be held in handicapped accessible facilities. Disability-related accommodation requests should be made at least three days prior to a meeting by calling (310) 458-1975 extension 5854 (TTY 310-395-6024) or by e-mailing Bus-Info@BigBlueBus.com. Public feedback from the meetings will be included in a report given by Big Blue Bus officials at the May 10 City Council meeting. More information about the community meetings, including the agenda, can be found at www.bigbluebus.com or by calling Customer Service at 310-451-5444. ### About the Big Blue Bus The Big Blue Bus operates a fleet of over 200 energy efficient vehicles, transporting more than 80,000 passengers a day across a nearly 52-square mile service area. Nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to a cleaner environment, the entire fleet operates on alternative fuels, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), which helps cut emissions by over 80 percent. Serving Santa Monica and the Los Angeles area since 1928, the Big Blue Bus has an 86 percent on-time performance record, and has won numerous awards for its customer service, safety and efficiency.
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Post by mattapoisett on Mar 2, 2011 22:11:18 GMT -8
If anyone goes to the meetings you might consider mentioning to the powers that be @ BBB that it would be nice if they signed on to TAP.
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Post by carter on Mar 3, 2011 14:53:41 GMT -8
That's a good point. I live in the area and I'll make a point to mention it if I get to the meeting.
Getting an integrated regional fare system simply must be one of the handful of Most Important Transit Projects.
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Post by joshuanickel on Mar 6, 2011 16:08:09 GMT -8
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Post by bzcat on Mar 7, 2011 12:52:42 GMT -8
It's kind of interesting that 10% of BBB riders make more than $70k income per year.
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Post by bzcat on Mar 7, 2011 13:25:21 GMT -8
Very high quality analysis by BBB based on what I can see on the slides (planning to attend the meeting in person at UCLA in a few days). A couple of observations: 1. Rapid 7 to Wilshire/Western via Crenshaw Blvd is a brilliant idea in so many ways. The ridership data from this line will be very interesting once Metro get around to studying option to extend Crenshaw line north of Expo. 2. I was dreading a massive cut to Local 7 but looks like they are only cutting AM frequency slightly (from 8 min headway to 10 min). This I can manage and is actually a pretty good trade off for more frequent Rapid 7. 3. BBB5 will take over Robertson from BBB12 and connect Century City to Expo line. It's like BBB was reading my suggestion... 4. Super 12 --> Rapid 12... like I suggested and eliminating the Roberson alignment on #12 is good... better served by #5 anyway. 5. Local 3 switches with Local 14 north of Montana. #14 goes to UCLA instead of near Getty (better matched with UCLA students living in Palms/Mar Vista) while #3 goes to Getty (well, close to it, but not quite) instead of UCLA. Very good switch as it will likely boost #14 ridership even more. BBB also plans to extend #14 to Playa Vista at some point (but not to Fox Hill Mall Transit Center). 6. Elimination of #2 south of Pico and combine with #1 is good idea. Duplicate service is an overkill right now. 7. Crosstown Ride will be realigned on 17 St only (as opposed to 14th and 20th) to better serve Expo line station on 17th. Overall, the changes proposed are all very good (unlike Metro's service "improvements")
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Post by wad on Mar 8, 2011 5:40:59 GMT -8
1. Rapid 7 to Wilshire/Western via Crenshaw Blvd is a brilliant idea in so many ways. The ridership data from this line will be very interesting once Metro get around to studying option to extend Crenshaw line north of Expo. Wilshire/Western is my home station, and I am thrilled about this. I think it's deceptive, though, that Rapid 7 promises "midday" service when the route will continue to take a mid-day siesta.
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Post by bzcat on Mar 8, 2011 10:39:32 GMT -8
1. Rapid 7 to Wilshire/Western via Crenshaw Blvd is a brilliant idea in so many ways. The ridership data from this line will be very interesting once Metro get around to studying option to extend Crenshaw line north of Expo. Wilshire/Western is my home station, and I am thrilled about this. I think it's deceptive, though, that Rapid 7 promises "midday" service when the route will continue to take a mid-day siesta. Fight one battle at a time ;D Rapid 7 is being added for evening rush hour... that's a plus I do wonder though if BBB has reviewed the ridership pattern at Wilshire/Western to determine where people actually want to go. For example, they still do not plan to add Rapid 7 stop in Century City but will an easy connection to Purple Line, the boarding demand at Century City may change.
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