MetroRiderLA

I’d like to apologize for a mix-up regarding the article I posted yesterday regarding a proposed change to Metro Rail schedules. It turns out that this “news” was from this time last year and these scheduling changes have long been put forth and implemented. This mistake was due in large part to my ignorance when reading the Metro Red Line Blog (which as it turns out hasn’t been updated in a year) and due to my recent discovery of a year old MTA pamphlet (the year was not mentioned on said pamphlet) amongst newer (maybe?) documents at the MTA Headquarters. After making a post about the scheduling changes on what turned out to be a year old thread on The Transit Coalition’s forums, the members of that forum brought it to my attention that I was a year too late.

So once again, I apologize for getting anybody riled up over (very) old news, next time I promise to look at dates of postings. And let’s hope that MTA dates and updates their materials more often so I don’t get pwned again.

According to my clock, the 217 bus was supposed to be here 3 minutes ago. A shiny empty articulated Rapid bus just passed, and boy does it look comfortable. Maybe my clock is off and I just missed the 217 by a minute or two… no matter, according to the Metro Trip Planner I checked this morning, another should be here in 5 minutes. Having said that, it sure would be nice if there was some type of electronic signage that told me when the next bus was scheduled to arrive. (more…)

A few news stories from the last couple of days:

• Metro News Pressroom 6/12/06: Metro to Introduce New Metro Rapid Line on Sepulveda Boulevard
• The Daily News 6/13/06: Orange Line heads toward overcapacity
• The Daily News 6/14/06: LAUSD wants more MTA funds for school in Gold Line path

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

The great blog Franklin Avenue has recently linked us at their site. Franklin Avenue is an absolutely GREAT Los Angeles blog that covers eating, drinking, shopping, and just plain living in this great city. Of special interest is their “Rate-a-Restaurant” series that offers concise reviews of area restaurants, and invaluable resource for any Angeleno. Thanks for the link guys!

[tags]franklin avenue, los angeles, rate-a-restaurant[/tags]

Note:  This was posted in error.  Read about it here.

Last weekend, on a trip down the Red Line to Union Station in search of Metro materials for this blog, I came across a Metro pamphlet inconspicuously placed amongst rail and bus timetables near the main entrance of the Gateway Center, MTA’s headquarters. This classy grey trifold brochure (#05-2245tr) was entitled “Late Night Metro Rail Schedule Adjustments” with the subheadline, “Effective June 26″. Ignorantly, I grabbed at it with excitement, hoping to read about the addition of truly late night service to our train system. I’ve always been disappointed with the current “late night” service with last trains departing around 12:30am. Seems hardly suitable for a “world-class” city like Los Angeles, a metropolitan area with 16 million people who work and play at all hours of the day. Digression aside, I picked up the pamphlet and began to read,

“Metro Rail will be adjusting its schedules for late night service on some lines to better meet passenger demand.”

(more…)

Check out this thread over at mograph.net, a forum for motion graphics artists that I regular.  LA is home to many motion graphics animators and designers, so I received many opinions on the issue of LA public transit from these artists.  Here’s a sampling of some of the responses:

“I think if the metro system was as accessible as the ones in NY, Chicago, Paris, London, etc…then it would be used…but because there are approximately 7 stations…(and that might be a stretch) it will not be successful.”

“everything’s just way too spread out in this city. besides, there are too many people with expensive cars - who’s gonna give up their m6 to sit next to a smelly stranger?”

“I like the Redline, I use it anytime I have to go downtown. Perfect for Jury Duty or sporting events at Staples Center. I wish there was a way to get to Dodger Stadium though.”

Definately some varied opinions, check it out when you have some time.