Buses
Streetsblog LA
Foothill Transit’s Class Pass: A Universal Bus Pass Success Story
Last week, Metro Board Chair Mark Ridley-Thomas set things in motion for a universal community college transit pass program. Today SBLA profiles one successful local college bus pass program. Foothill Transit's Class Pass is increasing ridership, helping solve parking problems, and giving students expanded and affordable mobility options.
October 1, 2015
Open Thread: Metro Considering Bus Stop Thinning In Network Plan
As part of its big bus service re-organization, now called the Strategic Bus Network Plan (SBNP), Metro is proposing "stop thinning," which basically means eliminating numerous bus stops that are too close to each other. According to a recent Metro staff report [PDF] the SBNP is "expected to be presented to the Board for approval in October or November 2015." When I analyzed Metro's proposal in July, it was still very much in draft form, with contradictory and unclear components.
September 23, 2015
A Peek Into Metro’s Frequent Bus Network Proposal
Metro is currently considering some pretty big bus service changes. Basically Metro is considering a cost-neutral scheme that would eliminate multiple relatively low-performing bus lines and would add more frequent service on a core network. More details below. Overall it looks like a step in a positive direction, though the devil may be in the details.
July 29, 2015
Metro Piloting Fast, Convenient All-Door Boarding on Wilshire Rapid Bus
Metro is in its third week of an all-door boarding pilot at two stops on the 720 Wilshire Rapid Bus line. Riders can take advantage of all-door boarding mornings westbound at Wilshire/Vermont and afternoons eastbound at Wilshire/Westwood.
June 5, 2015
How a More Inclusive Bike Week Can Help Move Us Toward “Bike Life”
"I can honestly say my faith in humanity has been restored today," Joey said Wednesday as we popped his back tire back on his bike and I packed up my patch kit. "If I ever see you in the street again, I promise I'll pay you back somehow."
May 15, 2015
Metro Installing Polycarbonate Shields to Protect Bus Operators
Numerous speakers at Metro's press conference this morning went to great length to assure the public that "the Metro system is safe." Nonetheless, the speakers focused on the number of crimes, foremost including assaults on bus operators, that take place on transit in Los Angeles. Metro reports that operators were assaulted by passengers 138 times in 2014.
March 20, 2015
Krekorian and Garcetti Tout Metro’s New 405 Freeway Express Bus Service
Starting this Sunday, Metro is introducing its new Valley-Westside Express bus line that takes advantage of the recently-widened 405 Freeway's new high-occupancy vehicle lanes. The new line runs from Pacoima to Westwood, with stops at the Van Nuys Metrolink Station and the Metro Orange Line's Van Nuys and Sepulveda stations. The full map of the new service is after the jump below.
December 12, 2014
What a Vermont Avenue BRT Line Could Look Like
At this month's board meeting, Metro staff reported that they are hiring consultants to shepherd two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects. Today, SBLA previews one of those: Vermont Avenue BRT.
November 21, 2014
Make a Little Noise, Get a Little Bus Stop Love: Random Thoughts on Mobility
Oh, honey, no... I thought as I watched the obviously strung-out woman yank up her miniskirt and gesture insistently that passersby partake of her unkempt lady offerings.
April 2, 2014
Eyes on the Street: “YES, L.A.! YES, BUSES!”
It's raining, in case you didn't notice.
December 19, 2013