Yesterday the Metro G (Orange) Line returned to its usual North Hollywood station pick-up and drop-spots, as construction of electric bus chargers has been more-or-less completed. The construction closure was originally announced to last from July 28 through late October 2019, but was extended through last weekend - January 26, 2020. Construction impacts on G Line riders has been minimal as the bus rapid transit line shifted to nearby streets for a very short distance.
By the end of this fiscal year - late June 2020 - Metro plans to operate the G Line with fully electric buses.
Metro's first New Flyer electric bus, running soon on the Metro G Line. Photo by MetroElectric buses will soon run on the Metro Orange Line. Photo by Metro
Per Metro's post at The Source, charger construction continues at Canoga Station, and will soon begin at Chatsworth Station.
Metro will soon run all electric buses on the G (Orange) and J (Silver) Lines. Map via Metro presentationMetro will soon be running all electric buses on the Orange and Silver Lines. Map via Metro presentation
Metro estimates anticipate that full bus electrification will cost more than a billion dollars: $0.7-1.0 billion for charging infrastructure, plus another $400 million for the buses. Earlier this month, Metro applied for state Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) funding for zero-emission buses and the charging infrastructure to support them. As of late 2019, Metro planned to request $104 million in TIRCP funding for a $210 million electrification initiative. The electrification project would include purchasing 220 battery-electric buses that would operate out of Metro divisions in El Monte and Gardena.
Metro construction of four electric bus chargers is said to be nearly complete at the North Hollywood station, but this charger arm does not appear entirely done. Photo: Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.Metro charger construction is said to be complete at North Hollywood, but the charger arm does not appear entirely done. Photo: Joe Linton/Streetsblog L.A.
New concepts for rapid bus service across the 626 have ironed out the questions of where an East-West route would run and where demonstrations could begin.
Metro and Caltrans eastbound 91 Freeway widening is especially alarming as it will increase tailpipe pollution in an already diesel-pollution-burdened community that is 69 percent Latino, and 28 percent Black