Torrance Transit is holding a “kick off” of their new Rapid and ExpressLanes bus services today from 10:30AM to noon at the Del Amo Fashion Center parking lot in front of Macy’s, 3520 Carson St. in Torrance.

The new Line 4 created as part of Metro’s ExpressLanes project on the I-110 Harbor Freeway will provide an express “North to South” service between the South Bay and downtown Los Angeles. The second new route is the new Line 3 Rapid, an “East to West” rapid bus service that will provide service between the South Bay Galleria and the Long Beach Transit Gallery.

The services are scheduled to begin on November 18. In celebration of the kick-off, Torrance Transit will be offering free preview rides today (after the kick-off) and tomorrow (during the AM and PM peak periods) on Line 3 Rapid service only. Kim Turner, city of Torrance Transit Director, notes that the previews “will allow us to monitor the new schedules and check bus stops locations before going into service. It is also a great way to market the service as well.”

I am especially glad to see the line 3 Rapid getting started. The regular line 3 is a workhorse for Torrance, carrying an astonishing passenger load. Having a Rapid serve that corridor will be a great regional benefit.