Metro Proposes New Letter Designations for Rail and BRT Lines

Metro is proposing new "Letter Designations for Fixed Guideway Lines." Basically, all Metro rail lines, plus the Orange and Silver BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) lines, would receive a letter designation. The letter would largely replace the current colors. For example, the Metro Red Line would become the "B Line." The proposed changes are outlined in this presentation [PDF] for April Service Council meetings. The item is not on Board committee meeting agendas for this month, so the proposal will likely go to the full Metro Board of Directors in May or later.

Metro would name lines in letter order, starting with the first line to open, and would skip a few letters that are used for other things:

• Blue Line (plus the Pasadena-Foothill Gold Line) would become the A Line
• Red Line would become B Line
• Purple Line would become C Line
• Green Line would becomes D Line

This re-naming becomes necessary in 2020, when the under-construction Regional Connector subway is expected to open. The Regional Connector will tie together the Blue, Gold, and Expo lines. For years though, the agency has been clear about Regional Connector operations, which will include a one-seat ride from Long Beach to Pasadena-Azusa, and from East L.A. to Santa Monica.

One interesting new factoid in the presentation is this glimpse at one planned future operating scheme for the Green and Crenshaw lines around LAX. The presentation stresses that this is just one operations alternative, and is still pending final approval.

Keen-eyed SBLA headlines readers probably spotted initial coverage at Urbanize L.A., with a subsequent very good concise summary at Curbed, and more in The Source, and SGV Tribune.

What do you think, readers? See you on the A-Line?!?