Transit Saturday: Plan with the BRU or Explore Torrance Transit with SO.CA.TA

Photo:bedlambalticavenue/flickr

Saturday two transit events will be occurring that may be of interest, and by coincidence both commence at 9:30 a.m.

The
Bus Riders Union will have its monthly meeting at Immanuel Presbyterian
Church (on Wilshire two blocks west of Vermont) with a light breakfast
served at 9:30 a.m. followed by the meeting at 10 a.m. The agenda to no
surprise indicates the main topic will be their campaign against
Metro's impending fare increase: "what we need to do is have a deeper
strategy conversation about what we are willing to do from here on out".

If
you attend as a newbie you'll initially participate in an separate new
member orientation session in which BRU organizers provide the basics
of their positions and ways of doing business. My understanding from
friends who have attended BRU meetings is after the orientation session
is finished the new members join the main meeting in progress, which
usually draws about 90 to 100 people.

The other transit activism activity on Saturday is Southern California
Transit Advocates' first study tour of the year, exploring Torrance
Transit.

As the SO.CA.TA website notes these study tours aren't just
recreational. They also help us familiarize ourselves with transit
service (frequency, hours of service, connections, etc.) locally and in
adjacent areas. And our members who don't use transit daily get a dose
of "seat of the pants" knowledge about transit issues.

The rendezvous point is Alameda Street south of César E. Chávez Avenue
across from Union Station. At 9:30 a.m. we'll catch Torrance's route
two as it travels south through downtown Los Angeles then proceeds to
Torrance via the Harbor Freeway.

Regular fare for Torrance is $1 with a $1 surcharge for the buses that
serve downtown L.A. Transfers are forty cents. And of course they do
accept the EZ Pass. Otherwise having some dollar bills and change to
pay fares seems advisable. Also bring some cash to buy lunch at the Del
Amo Mall food court.

Here is the itinerary, prepared by SO.CA.TA member Paul Castillo:

take route two from Union Station at 9:30 a.m.
arrive at Del Amo Mall (Carson/Madrona) at 10:40 a.m.

walk to Line 3 stop on Carson St.

take route 3 departing at 10:55 a.m
arrive Redondo Beach Pier a 11:15 a.m.

take route 3 from Pier at 11:35 a.m.
arrive at Del Amo Mall at 11:50 a.m.

LUNCH BREAK

take route 9 from Del Amo Mall at 1 p.m.
take to end of route (Vermont/Lomita) arriving at 1:25 p.m.
take return trip arriving at Del Amo Mall at 1:50 p.m.

take route 3 from Del Amo Mall at 1:50 p.m.
go to end of route at Long Beach Transit Mall, arriving at 2:45 p.m.
take return trip departing 2:55 p.m. arriving a Del Amo Mall at 3:55 p.m.

take route 2 at Del Amo Mall at 4 p.m.
arrive at Union Station at 5:23 p.m.

All in all a busy day for transit activism, whichever activity you choose.