LOS ANGELES | Public Transport

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by TopperCity

That sounds promising. Hope the EXPO Line will be underground all the way through.

So how much funds did they raise for this Line by selling bond?

the expo line is above ground, but its mostly grade separated. the bond was a statewide bond that was voted on in November. LA will get around 2 billion or more for mass transit. that would be enough to extend Expo to Santa Monica, for the green Line to LAX and the Downtown Connector, however, no one knows which projects will get that money. My hope is that the Purple line extension to Westwood gets the bulk of the money as well as the Downtown Connector. also, that is not the only money that we have to depend on for construction. there are other sources that our mayor is trying to tap into to get as much as possible built, and built asap.

[TopperCity]

Too bad that the EXPO Line won't be underground. From what I have heard, the cost to build a subway line is relatively comparable to the elevated system these days. But I'd be glad as long as they build something. LA Traffic is in crisis.

[Elsongs]

Originally Posted by TopperCity

Too bad that the EXPO Line won't be underground. From what I have heard, the cost to build a subway line is relatively comparable to the elevated system these days. But I'd be glad as long as they build something. LA Traffic is in crisis.

A small part of the Exposition Line will be underground, underneath the corner of Figueroa St. and Exposition Blvd.

[phattonez]

Has anyone discussed the importance of a line from from Burbank/Glendale to downtown? I know it's a part of Damien's map, and it would have been done by the Yellow Line, but what is Metro doing about it now?

[Elsongs]

Originally Posted by phattonez

Has anyone discussed the importance of a line from from Burbank/Glendale to downtown? I know it's a part of Damien's map, and it would have been done by the Yellow Line, but what is Metro doing about it now?

The MTA studies the possibilty of it; it would share the route with the Gold line until the LA river and then go north to Glendale/Burbank. The alignment was not determined, but it would either duplicate the Metrolink route (with more stops) or go up Brand Blvd and Glenoaks (just like the old Pacific Electric red cars did). The plans were put on hold after the MTA's big budget shortfall in the mid-90s.

[phattonez]

Shouldn't Metro have a budget surplus with the new bond?

[Elsongs]

Originally Posted by phattonez

Shouldn't Metro have a budget surplus with the new bond?

I don't think it quite works that way. There are capital costs, which go into building rail lines, busways, and new vehicles and operational costs, which go to the salaries of bus drivers, rail operators and the people who maintain the buses and trains. The bonds go into capital costs...but do be aware that the recently-passed state bond measures 1) get divided among the other transit operators in California and 2) do not give a great deal of funds to mass transit).

[festiboi]

[/QUOTE]

This would be amazing. I would never have to drive ever again. I'm all for it! I'd hate to think of the cost and the time it'd take.

[phattonez]

You should be going off of this map now.

[phattonez]

So the new color designation for the Purple Line is confusing riders . . . I guess it gives another reason for building the subway under Wilshire. What's the status on that anyway?

[LosAngelesMetroBoy]

Just so everyone knows, the palmdale station on the metrolink IS the palmdale airport station, palmdale airport is about 4 miles from rail... and there is no hope of extending rail due to the roads around that area. Metrolink will always have just a palmdale and a lancaster station in the Antelope Valley.


OK local rant over.

BTW im refering to the small colorless insert bottom right

[phattonez]

We can only hope for a high speed rail line that connects all of the local airports. We can always dream.

[LosAngelesMetroBoy]

Palmdale isnt even a real airport, it shares its runway with the USAF, and only 1 airline is bold enough to try and take off from there. It will never be a big airport and as unfortunate as that is, its better that way. If LA builds a high speed rail network connecting the airports, leave palmdale off. Its not worth the time or energy.

[phattonez]

So, from what I hear, this is what is lined up next for Metro.

1. Eastside Extension. (under construction)
2. Expo Line. (Phase I under construction. Phase II securing funding)
3. Foothill Extension. (securing funding)
4. Downtown Connector (proposed)
5. Wilshire Subway (proposed)
6. Green Line extension to LAX and Santa Monica? (proposed)
7. Green Line extension east to Metrolink station? (proposed)

After that, then what? My list goes
1. Grade separate the Blue Line.
2. Gold Line extension through Glendale and Burbank to North Hollywood.
3. LAXpress.
4. Subway aligned along the 405.
5. High speed rail to connect the major airports of the area and Union Station.
6. Subway aligned along the 5.
7. Red Line extension to Sylmar.

So what is officially after that and what would you want?

[redspork02]

Proposal to extend subway to Los Angeles airport

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Printable Version Email This Article
(02-25) 13:09 PST Los Angeles (AP) --


A new government agency would be responsible for extending the subway to the Los Angeles International Airport under a bill introduced in the state Legislature.


The light-rail Metro Green Line currently stops about a mile away from LAX, where passengers have to board a free shuttle to the airport terminal.


The bill introduced last week by Assemblyman Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, would create a new agency to oversee the planning, funding and construction of a subway extension into LAX.


"We should be doing anything we can to encourage people to get out of their cars," Lieu said.


Lieu is a member of the Green Line Coalition, a group of elected officials who is lobbying to expand the light-rail line to the airport.


Under the bill, the agency's board of directors would be appointed by the Legislature. The agency would also be responsible for securing local, state and federal funding for the project.


If the bill is passed by the Legislature, the new agency likely won't operate until 2009, Lieu said.


___


Information from: Daily Breeze,

[Jean Luc]

Also extend it at the other end to meet the Metrolink line, to allow transfers from one to the other, as shown on the map at post #49, above.

[phattonez]

How does the rail map look with California High Speed Rail included?

[LosAngelesMetroBoy]

so ive wondered why they dont elevate the red line to sylmar. Build a huge multi-level parking structure by the 210/5/14 interchange and have a dedicated offramp. Seriously, i think that would get more people riding the metro if we showed we want people to.

[iampuking]

Originally Posted by Threehundred

Generally, when people ride light rail to and from work, they don't want, need, or expect to see a train with crystal glass, silk lined seats, and chinchila carpeting. They expect to ride a light rail that's straight to the point.

Although the Blue Line could use a good cleaning.

Oh please, you can have cars that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. You don't need to be influenced by the design of a brick for a train to be "straight to the point".

[phattonez]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesMetroBoy

so ive wondered why they dont elevate the red line to sylmar. Build a huge multi-level parking structure by the 210/5/14 interchange and have a dedicated offramp. Seriously, i think that would get more people riding the metro if we showed we want people to.

Where could we get the money for that? If we could help cars bypass that interchange and the terrible commute of the 5, then you would have something really good going.

But in order for that to be succsessful, there would need to be a way to help those who work in Burbank and Glendale. The Red Line extension would only help those who work in Hollywood/Downtown. The Gold Line needs to be extended through Glendale and Burbank.

It's a huge investment, but it would get a lot of people going on Metro.

EDIT: Looking at a map, it seems pretty obvious to me that the Red Line should continue up Lankershim to San Fernando Road to the 210, 14, 5 interchange. It looks like it would be expensive though, that's a lot of tunneling.