Expo Line Transit Service Interface Proposal — Part 3: Metro (Source: MetroRiderLA)

Link: Expo Line Transit Service Interface Proposal — Part 3: Metro | MetroRiderLA

Expo Line Transit Service Interface Proposal — Part 3: Metro
Contributed by Wad on July 10th, 2009 at 3:00 am

Expo Line construction sign

The Expo Line is coming, but it may be in 2011. The bus service changes below are suggested to help both bus and rail riders.
Photo by Alan Weeks and uploaded by Metro Library and Archive on Flickr; used with a Creative Commons license

MetroReaders, we have arrived at the third and final installment of the Expo Line Transit Service interface proposals. Thank you to all of those who have read and participated in the discussions of the other two proposals for Culver CityBus and Big Blue Bus. Metro, as the operator of the Expo Line and the largest bus system in the county, has a lot to go ahead. The line’s opening date may be some time in 2011, with Phase 2 to Santa Monica another four years after that.

Phase 2 is at the centerpiece for the initial segment of the Expo Line, as you will see below. One of the most important suggestions of the bus lines proposed is … wait for it … a Phase 2 Gold Line emulator.

You are probably reading this and rolling your eyes. One criticism I am expecting is: “You want this to end up like Line 632’s rise and fall?” That is the last thing I want. Here’s the difference. The Expo Emulator would be planned along with regular service, not put together on the fly. Second, it is going to last for at least four years, so it has some time to build a ridership base. Third, it would emulate the path of Expo Phase II but follow a slightly different path. Fourth, the Expo Emulator is a pre-emptive solution to what is bound to be a major Expo Line problem: What to do about all those passengers transferring from Expo and heading west, particularly on Line 33/333 — on which ridership is extremely heavy now, and unable to handle a swarm of passengers hoping to transfer when the rail line opens.

The other proposal also suggests the turnover of some Metro services to Santa Monica or Culver City. These are only requests to see if the munis are willing or capable of taking on additional service. Both the blue and green buses can operate services about 10 percent cheaper than Metro, according to figures on the National Transit Database. This is especially helpful for low-performing, high-cost lines. Some of the Metro lines proposed for municipal turnover include 4, 30/31, 35, 38 and 534.

There are also some service improvements suggested for the Westside that do not tie in directly with the Expo Line, but would be helpful to plan for them concurrently. I have also reposted some of the route changes that would affect the Expo Line TSIP routes mentioned before in the Eastside Gold Line TSIP. I can’t cut and paste routes from one map to the other, but I can add the original route proposals here as a refresher.

Compare the existing Metro system map with the changes proposed on the Google Map. As a reminder, these proposals are not official by any agency and are not endorsed by them. Also, please send in any comments you may have by the end of the month by posting them on this board or including your name in an e-mail. All suggestions will be forwarded to the respective agencies’ planners.

The table of changes and rationales follows the jump.

Expo Emulator

Rationale: This special bus line would be a temporary gap until Expo Phase II opens. It would emulate the future Expo Stations, but along Pico Bl. If Metro has the resources and the police permission, it should install temporary ticket vending machines at the stops to expedite boardings. Although it is a bus, Expo Emulator would help “prime” the ridership for when light rail service is extended, and perhaps add riders who originate trips in the Westside to board the Expo Line.

The other reason is to stem an expected operational bottleneck caused by the end-of-the-line transfer. Line 33 would bear the brunt of heavy transfer activity. If riders do not shift rides from 33 to Expo, there would be no room for transfers. Or, riders do shift their trips, but Culver Junction becomes the site of a massive rider log-jam that may force passengers to wait long periods before a local or Rapid 733 arrives. The Expo Emulator would serve to stem this problem by transporting riders to Santa Monica, making only stops close to proposed Phase II stations.

The Expo Emulator would primarily run along Pico Bl. While Venice Bl. would have Line 733 Rapid service, ridership would be at existing levels or much higher, not allowing it to bear the load. Pico is the biggest street with frequent service and important destinations including Westside Pavilion, Santa Monica College and Santa Monica High School.

Route: Culver Junction Expo Line Station, Washington Bl., Venice Bl., National Bl., Overland Av., National Bl., Westwood Bl., Pico Bl., 4th St., Colorado Av., 2nd St., Santa Monica Bl., 4th St. & Santa Monica Bl. and 4th St.

Expo Emulator makes only the following stops:
Culver Junction Expo Line Station, National Bl. & Palms Bl. (Palms), Overland Av. & National Bl., Westwood Bl. & Pico Bl. (Westside Pavilion), Pico Bl. & Sepulveda Bl., Pico Bl. & Bundy Dr., Pico Bl. & 18th St. (Santa Monica College), Pico Bl. & Lincoln Bl. (Santa Monica High School), 4th St. & Santa Monica Bl.
Line 105
Line 305
Line 550

Rationale: Lines 305 and 550 run similar services, yet they have never been productive lines. A restructured Line 105 would provide service from the Vernon Blue Line station to Century City. It would lose the routing west of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and continue via Crenshaw Bl. to Pico Bl., then via San Vicente Bl., Burton Way and Santa Monica Bl. to Century City. It would replace Line 16 service west of Cedars-Sinai.

Service along Martin Luther King Bl. would be replaced by Line 40 (see Eastside Gold Line Transit Service Interface Proposal). La Cienega Bl. service would be replaced by a restructured Line 217.
Line 108
Line 358

Rationale: Line 108’s Marina del Rey segment suffers from unreliable service, due to being an hourly tail on a busy trunk service. Line 108 would now terminate at Westfield Shoppingtown Fox Hills. Marina del Rey service would be provided by Culver CityBus Line 7 (see Culver City proposal). Line 108 would be extended east on Slauson to Rosemead Bl.

Line 358’s service change, shown in the Eastside Gold Line Transit Service Interface Proposal, would take the route north on Atlantic Bl. from Slauson Av. to connect with the Gold Line at the Atlantic/Pomona Station.

Route (Line 108 only): Rosemead Bl., Bermudez St., Bequette Av., Slauson Av. and Westfield Shoppingtown Fox Hills.
Line 110

Rationale: Due to a change proposed for Culver CityBus Line 3 (see Culver CityBus proposals), Line 110 would pick up the Fox Hills-adjacent routing on its route. The line would be shortened to terminate at Westfield Shoppingtown Fox Hills. Its eastern terminal would also be extended to Slauson Av. and Telegraph Rd. Also, a route deviation would be added to serve the Slauson Av. Harbor Transitway Station.

Route: Westfield Shoppingtown Fox Hills, Slauson Av., Buckingham Pkwy., Hannum Av., Bristol Pkwy., Centinela Av., Hyde Park Bl., Van Ness Av., 62nd St., Western Av., Gage Av., Figueroa St., Slauson Av., Slauson Harbor Transitway Station, Broadway, Gage Av., Compton Av., Florence Av., Holmes Av., Gage Av., Slauson Av., Telegraph Rd., Bluff Rd. and Slauson Av.
Line 212

Rationale: With the restructuring of Line 40, Line 212 becomes the crosstown service from Hollywood to Redondo Beach via La Brea Av. and Hawthorne Bl. See the Eastside Gold Line Transit Service Interface Proposal.

Route: Hollywood Bl., Hollywood/Vine Red Line station, Argyle Av., Selma Av., Vine St., Hollywood Bl., La Brea Av., Overhill Dr., Slauson Av., La Brea Av., Inglewood Transit Center, La Brea Av., Hawthorne Bl., Hawthorne/I-105 Green Line Station, Hawthorne Bl., 177th St, Kingsdale Av., South Bay Galleria Transit Center, Artesia Bl., and Hawthorne Bl.
Line 217

Rationale: With the availability of Line 780 and the return of Metro Line 1, the existing Line 217 would no longer need to continue to Hollywood. The restructured Line 217 would be a bidirectional loop along Fairfax Av. and La Cienega Bl. This would help balance similar north-south lines with headways close to the existing Line 217.

Route: Fairfax/La Cienega Expo Line station, Fairfax Av., Sunset Bl., La Cienega Bl. and Fairfax/La Cienega Expo Line station.
Line 220

Rationale: Despite low ridership and threats by Metro to eliminate this service, Expo Line may help restore relevancy to this moribund route. Line 220, like Line 217, would become a bidirectional loop along Robertson Bl. and Beverly Dr., which would no longer be served by Line 14.

Each loop would run hourly, but the shared route on Robertson between Pico Bl. and the Expo Line would replace service that is lost by Big Blue Bus Line 12 now terminating at Culver Junction. The shared portion of service would run every 30 minutes.

Route: Venice Bl., National Bl., Washington/National Expo Line Station, Washington Bl., Robertson Bl., Santa Monica Bl., Canon Dr., Wilshire Bl., Beverly Dr., Pico Bl., Robertson Bl., Venice Bl., National Bl. and Washington/National Expo Line Station.
Line 312

Rationale: To offer a more productive route, a deviation would be added to Leimert Park to connect with other bus services at Crenshaw Bl. and Martin Luther King Jr. Bl. The route would also be shortened to Inglewood. Also, when the development at Hollywood Bl. & Vine St. is completed, revert Line 312 to peak-hour service, but continue offering bidirectional service.

Route: Hollywood Bl., Hollywood/Vine Red Line station, Argyle Av., Selma Av., Vine St., Hollywood Bl., La Brea Av., La Brea Expo Line station, La Brea Av., Rodeo Rd., Martin Luther King Jr. Bl., Crenshaw Bl., Florence Av., Market St., Manchester Av. La Brea Av. and Florence Av.
NEW Line 356

Rationale: Normandie Av.’s Line 206 has the ridership and transfer activity, like its nearby Vermont Av. and Western Av., services to support limited-stop buses. Line 356 would run bidirectional peak-hour limited-stop service and connect with the Expo Line at Vermont.

Route: Sunset Bl., Virgil Av., Fountain Av., Vermont Av., Vermont/Sunset Red Line station, Sunset Bl., Normandie Av., Wilshire/Normandie Purple Line Station., Normandie Av., Irolo St., Normandie Av., Jefferson Bl., Vermont Av., Vermont Expo Line station, Vermont Av., Martin Luther King Jr. Bl., Normandie Av., Imperial Hwy., Vermont Av., Vermont/I-105 Green Line Station, 120th St., and Normandie Av.
NEW Line 539X

Rationale: Line 439 would no longer be needed once Expo Line is operational, but an attempt should be made to serve its busiest transfer points. The prototype name is 539X, and would use blue express buses to connect Culver Junction with LAX and the Aviation/I-105 Green Line station. The bus would use mostly surface streets, but it would have only major destination stops along the line. It would operate hourly, 7-day service, just as 439 does now.

Line 439 would be replaced by new Culver CityBus Line 8 through Baldwin Hills. The list of exact stops is in the pop-up menu when the route is clicked.

A major issue that’s sure to arise is Culver City’s possible objection to a service operating mostly within its territory. One possibility would be to offer Culver CityBus operation of the line with Metro paying for it, but withdrawing funds if the line proves to be unproductive.

Also, the schedule would need to be adjusted to avoid West Los Angeles College service when it’s not in session.

Route: Culver Junction Expo Line Station, Washington Bl., Culver Bl., Duquesne Av., Jefferson Bl., Overland Av., Freshman Dr., A St., B St., F St., Freshman Dr., Overland Av., Playa St., Sepulveda Bl., Fox Hills Mall, Sepulveda Bl., Howard Hughes Pkwy., I-405, Century Bl., Vicksburg Av., 96th St., LAX City Bus Center, 96th St., Vicksburg Av., Century Bl., Aviation St. and Aviation/I-105 Green Line Station.
Line 780

Rationale: The route stays the same, but its west terminal would now be Fairfax/La Cienega Expo Line station, but 7-day service would be added on Fairfax Av. to compensate for Line 217 becoming a Fairfax Av.-La Cienega Bl. bidirectional loop.
The following is a list of suggestion first proposed in the Eastside Gold Line Transit Service Interface Proposal. They are refreshed here.
NEW-Line 1

Rationale: This line would save transfers by creating a crosstown route between East Los Angeles and Hollywood through Downtown L.A., Echo Park and Silver Lake. It would restore the Line 1/217 configuration seen until 1999. Line 68 would be canceled and replaced by Line 1, and its interlined Line 84 would become a stand-alone route. This route change consists of two phases.

Phase 1 (Eastside Gold Line opening): Line 1 operates between Atlantic Gold Line Station and Vermont/Sunset Red Line station. Line 1 lays over then continues as Line 217 on its present route.

Phase 2 (Expo Line opening): Line 217 becomes a bidirectional loop on Fairfax Avenue, no longer running to Hollywood. Service to Hollywood would be provided on existing Rapid Line 780, which would get 7-day service on Fairfax Av. Replacement service on Hollywood Bl. would now be provided by Line 1, which would be extended to Santa Monica Bl. and San Vicente Bl.

Route (Phase 1): Atlantic Gold Line station, Atlantic Bl., Cesar Chavez Av., Sunset Bl., Hollywood Bl., Vermont Av., Sunset Bl., Virgil Av., Fountain Av.
Line 4

Rationale: The only change would be to shorten the route from Hill St. & Venice Bl. to Union Station. In the long-term, Metro should consider turning over operation of local Line 4 to Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus, which would operate Line 1 from Santa Monica to the Vermont/Sunset Red Line station. Metro would retain Rapid Line 704 between Union Station and Santa Monica.

Route: Patsaouras Transit Plaza, Vignes St., Sunset Bl., Sanborn Av., Santa Monica Bl. to Sepulveda Bl. or Santa Monica. Under theoretical turnover to Big Blue Bus, route would begin at Vermont/Sunset Red Line Station, then Sunset Bl., Sanborn Av., Santa Monica Boulevard to Santa Monica. Local service on Sunset would be provided by Metro Line 1 and Line 2, and Rapid service on Line 704.
Line 14

Rationale: Changes come to Line 14 in two phases. The first phase is to eliminate the interline with Line 37 to improve service. Line 14 would originate at Union Station.

The second phase of changes is implemented with the opening of the Expo Line. The Beverly Dr. portion would be split off and attached to Line 220, which becomes a bidirectional loop along Robertson Bl. and Beverly Dr.

Route: Union Station, Vignes St., Cesar Chavez Av., Alameda St., 1st St., Beverly Bl, Santa Monica Bl., Civic Center Dr., Little Santa Monica Bl., Beverly Dr. In Phase 2, when Expo Line opens, Line 14 terminates in Beverly Hills and Line 220 takes over Beverly Dr. route.
Line 16
Line 316

Rationale: The primary goal is to shorten and hopefully eliminate Line 30 and 31, while still providing an east-west crosstown route with identical levels of service. Line 30/31 would not operate east of downtown L.A., and the plan would be to work out an arrangement with Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus to operate Line 7 between downtown L.A. and Santa Monica, and Metro providing Rapid Line 707, the merger of Rapid Line 730 and Rapid 7.

The replacement crosstown route is Line 16, which would run between East Los Angeles College and Cedars-Sinai or Century City via 1st and 3rd streets in Phase 1. Line 316 would only operate west of downtown L.A., as to not duplicate limited-stop service by the Gold Line. In Phase 2, when the Expo Line opens, Line 16/316 is rerouted to terminate in West Hollywood. Service between Cedars-Sinai and Century City is replaced by rerouted Line 105.

Route: (Phase 1) East L.A. College, Collegian Dr., Floral Dr., Atlantic Bl., 1st St., Beaudry Av., 3rd St., Robertson Bl., Burton Wy., Santa Monica Bl., Century City.
(Phase 2) East L.A. College, Collegian Dr., Floral Dr., Atlantic Bl., 1st St., Beaudry Av., 3rd St., Robertson Bl., Santa Monica Bl., San Vicente Bl. and Melrose Av.
Line 30
Line 31
Rapid Line 730
Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus Line 7
Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus Rapid 7

Rationale: The phases of these lines along Pico would be planned for the opening of the Expo Line. Metro should consider splitting service with Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus and operating a single service along Pico.

Service along 1st St. would be replaced by Line 16.
Line 35

Rationale: The immediate proposal would be to restore bus service on Alameda St. and provide another Westside connection to the Gold Line. Also, Metro should consider turning over operation of Line 35 to Culver CityBus, which would merge it into Line 1 for a West Washington Bl., service between Venice and Downtown L.A.

Route: Union Station, Vignes St., Alameda St., Washington Bl., Fairfax Av. and West L.A. Transit Center.
Line 37
Line 55

Rationale: With Line 14 no longer paired to it, Line 37 could instead be paired with Line 55, which partly runs along Adams Bl. This change can be postponed until the opening of the Expo Line.

Route: West L.A. Transit Center, La Cienega Bl., Adams Bl., Hooper Av., 41st St., Compton Av., Firestone Bl., Maie Av., 89th St., Compton Av., 92nd Av., Compton Av., 120th St., Willobrook Av., and Rosa Parks Blue and Green Line Station.
Line 38

Rationale: There are two phases to Line 38 changes.

Phase 1 involves Line 38 assuming the eastern portion of Line 102. Phase 2 has significant changes with interlines or possible turnover to Culver CityBus.

Route: West L.A. Transit Center, La Cienega Bl., Jefferson Bl., Central Av., 41st St., Hooper Av., Gage Av., Central Av., Florence Av., Seville Av., Liberty Bl., Long Beach Bl., Palm Pl.
Line 40
Rapid Line 740

Rationale: The route would be shortened to focus on local service while Line 740 continues along its present route. The rerouted Line 40 will no longer run south of Crenshaw Bl. & Martin Luther King Jr. Bl. Instead, it will run between Mid City and Lincoln Heights at present service levels.

Line 212 would replace Line 40 service along Hawthorne Bl. at present service levels, becoming a La Brea Av.-Hawthorne Bl. crosstown route.

Route: Exposition Bl., Rimpau Bl., Jefferson Bl., La Brea Av., Rodeo Rd., Martin Luther King Jr. Bl., Broadway, 1st St., Mission Rd., Marengo St., Cornwell St., Zonal Av., Mission Rd., Daly St., Ave. 26, Figueroa St., Cypress Av., and Idell Av.
Line 42
Line 102

Rationale: This route change may be postponed until the opening of the Expo Line, or implemented to serve the Eastside Gold Line but terminating at Union Station. Line 42 would become its own line instead of a Line 40 branch. It would take over the Exposition Bl. routing of Line 102, which would now be canceled, then resume its present route south of Leimert Park. Line 42 would also be extended to serve the Aviation/I-105 Green Line station. In Phase 2, it would be interlined with Line 44.

Route: (Phase 1) Union Station, Vignes St., Cesar Chavez Av., Alameda St., 1st St., Spring St. (Main St. northbound), Jefferson Bl., Figueroa St., Exposition Bl., Rodeo Rd., Crenshaw Bl., Coliseum St, Martin Luther King Jr. Bl., Crenshaw Bl., Stocker St., Overhill Av., Slauson Av., La Tijera Bl., Sepulveda Bl., 96th St., LAX City Bus Center, Airport Bl., Century Bl., Aviation Bl., and Aviation/I-105 Green Line station.
(Phase 2): Main St., 23rd St., Flower St., Washington Bl., Main St., then via Phase 1 routing.
NEW Rapid Line 705
Rapid Line 751

Rationale: Rapid Line 751 would merge into Line 705, providing a long but potentially productive service through the Eastside, South L.A., and West Hollywood. Line 705 would now be terminated at County/USC Medical Center.

When the Expo Line opens, line would be rerouted to serve the Culver Junction station.

Route: Marengo St., Mission Rd., Zonal Av., County/USC Medical Center, Cornwell St., Marengo St., Soto St., Soto Gold Line Station, Leonis Bl., Pacific Bl., Vernon Av., Crenshaw Bl., Martin Luther King Jr. Bl., Rodeo Rd., La Cienega Bl., Melrose Av., San Vicente Bl., Santa Monica Bl. and La Cienega Bl.