Metro Bus Rapid Transit Project Could Drastically Affect Wilshire Traffic

Metro Bus Rapid Transit Project Could Drastically Affect Wilshire Traffic « Joy in the Journey,
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Metro Bus Rapid Transit Project Could Drastically Affect Wilshire Traffic
May 20, 2009

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s proposed Bus Rapid Transit project could drastically affect traffic on Wilshire Boulevard and increase bus efficiency along the route, but full project funding has not been secured.

The project would introduce dedicated bus lanes on both sides of Wilshire Boulevard from the Santa Monica city border to the west edge of Beverly Hills, and from the east edge of that city to Valencia Street near downtown Los Angeles. The 9.6 miles of lanes would only be active between 7-9 a.m. and from 4-7 p.m., and curbside lanes would be repaved. However, obtaining federal funding for the project remains an issue.

“Our project is still in [the federal] budget at this point but it could be removed,” said Rex Gephart, Bus Rapid Transit Project Manager. “[Even] if it remains, the dollars could be cut back.”

The project, if approved, could serve as a temporary solution to the traffic problems currently afflicting Los Angeles commuters. Without federal funding, however, the project’s future could be called into question.


“The things that we’ve been doing for the last five to eight years have not resulted in any improvements and [the federal government is] looking for improvements, and they think this is a great project to try and improve that congestion,” Gephart said.

Metro estimates the project’s cost at $31.5 million with $4.9 million from Metro, $3.3 million from the city of Los Angeles and the other $23.3 million – more than 70 percent of the total – from the Federal Transit Administration.

Originally, Metro authorities had hoped to organize a series of four public meetings in late April or early May, but that’s been delayed. The meetings – set at different locations along the Wilshire Boulevard corridor – would help explain what Metro, along with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, found in the study taking a close look at what impact the project would have on air quality, noise, the environment and, of course, traffic. The project paid special attention to 74 Los Angeles intersections on and off Wilshire Boulevard that might be affected by the new dedicated bus lanes.

Gephart said that although the study is in the final stages and is “looking really good.” Public meetings have been pushed back to June or July. Taking more time in this initial study is, according to Metro authorities, actually a money-saving move. If the federal government finds that Metro has not done all it can to mitigate various negative effects of the project on the community, an additional study might be required, potentially leading to higher costs and more delays.


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While commuters in personal vehicles might see their travel times on Wilshire Boulevard slow if the project is approved, regular bus riders like Keith Maloy believe the project is a good idea.

“It would definitely be a lot of help. I mean, I miss buses, some buses pass us up because they’re too full and sometimes the buses are just late,” Maloy said.

The project is designed to encourage more bus ridership. As travel times for Wilshire buses improve, Metro hopes the buses will be able to carry more passengers during morning and evening rush hours. The ultimate goal is to see a 25 percent travel time improvement for the 120 buses that operate on Wilshire.

“We wouldn’t have to add buses because the bus speeds will improve,” Gephart said.

Local motorist Bill Stephens has some reservations about the proposal.

“In concept it’s a great idea, but … in actual use, I don’t think you could get enough people to take the bus to make it worthwhile,” Stephens said.