MetroRiderLA

I got caught up with life last week so updates were far and few between, but here’s some recent news of note:

• Whittier Daily News 6/27/06: Foothill Buses To Get Wi-Fi
• Ventura County Star 6/25/06: Park Shuttle To Link With LA Buses
• The Daily News 6/24/06: Mayor Heralds New Rapid Line In Valley
• Metro News Pressroom 6/23/06: Major Bus Service Improvements in SFV
• Metro News Pressroom 6/22/06: Orange Line Issues Traffic Safety DVD

Live Post: Via FlyAway,
originally uploaded by fredcamino.

I’m writing from aboard the FlyAway bus to LAX. It’s 5:35 AM on Friday morning. The bus arrived a few minutes later than its scheduled 5:30 AM, but the driver apologized and then inexplicably proceeded to handout surveys instead of getting back on schedule. So now we leave Union Station about 10 minutes later than planned. There are definately more people on boad compared to the last time I took the FlyAway… I counted 17, but the driver referred to one as an ‘employee’ when passing out the surveys. Hopefully this means ridership is steadily growing… there’s still plenty of empty seats on this bus though. A problem I’ve had with the FlyAway and early flights is that the first Red Line train to Union Station from my stop (Hollywood/Western) comes at 4:43 AM which gets me to Union just as the 5:00 AM FlyAway is set to leave, and unfortunately the transfer from the Red Line to the bus plaza upstairs is not instantaneous, so I am forced to wait for the 5:30 AM bus, which gets me to LAX at about 6:00 AM if all goes well. It’s certainly a nice easy ride though, and by far the cheapest option to get to LAX. Before the FlyAway was implemented I would take the trains to LAX: Red Line to Blue Line to Green Line and then transfer to an airport shuttle from Aviation Station… the FlyAway is without a doubt easier and faster than that option. I hope ridership continues to grow, I’d like to see packed buses and an increase in frequency soon after. Go FlyAway!
Written Live via HipTop

Here’s the lastest word on the street:

• LA Observed 6/16/06: She Didn’t Last
• In the Oaks Blog 6/16/06: I Finally Took the Orange Line
• ABC7.COM 6/15/06: Cameras Will Be Snapping Pictures of Red-Light Runners
• CBS2.COM 6/15/06: MTA Recommends Ads On Trains, Subway Tunnels
• Metro News Pressroom 6/14/06:  Metro Wins Four Tranny Awards for Transit Excellence
• Here in Van Nuys Blog 6/13/06: A False Dichotomy

[tags]metro news, lacmta news, mta news, public transit news[/tags]

So today begins the weekend, and this one is extra special because it’s Father’s Day weekend. So if you have a dad is town, take him out and show him a good time via Metro. If your dad is anything like mine, he’s a firm believer in the ideologies of public transit, so make your old man happy and show him what a good citizen you’ve become. Check out our Events Calendar for MetroRiderLA approved Metro accessible events going on this weekend, and if we’ve missed any that you think stand out, please let us know. Or you can check out MTA’s Experience LA Beta website and see an extensive list of all events going on this and everyweekend. Have a good one!

I’ve started a MetroRider LA Flicker Group for all of those interested in posting their Metro related pictures. Join and add all your favorite pictures and check out and comment on other members photos. Plus, if you give us permission, we might choose to add one of your photos to the MetroRiderLA home page. Go on ahead nah!

[tags]flickr, flickr group[/tags]

Let’s see how this works.  Hopefully we don’t get spammed to all hell.  Comment away fine readers, we look forward to your opinions, insights, and bitter chides.