Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category

Metro Reconsiders Proof-of-Payment

Added on Saturday, February 10th, 2007

Image of New York City Transit turnstiles courtesy Go Clipless.

Busy week in the news for Metro. Today’s LA Times reports that Metro is considering adding fare barriers and staffing stations.

There is growing discussion among MTA board members and other local officials about a major overhaul of how the stations work — adding barriers and possibly gate attendants as well as more security officers. Some officials say the mercury incident proves that the agency’s reliance on closed-circuit cameras to show what’s going on underground is inadequate.

I’m not quite sure what’s going on, but what the Pershing Square issue indicated to me is that the folks at Central aren’t properly trained as to how to respond. I’m not quite sure how this move would improve that (in fact, I think it would harm preparedness), and here’s why (not necessarily the opinion of other contributors here):

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Gateway Cities June 2007 service change meeting

Added on Thursday, February 8th, 2007
February 8, 2007
5:00 pm
http://www.mta.net/”>Metro has posted its proposed http://www.mta.net/board/images/Notice%20of%20Intent%20-%20June%202007%20service%20changes.pdf”>June 2007 service changes for all five service sectors. These are the proposed changes for the http://www.mta.net/about_us/service_sectors/gateway/gateway.htm”>Gateway Cities service sector, which includes a new http://www.mta.net/rapid/”>Rapid> bus line, re-establishment of Sunday service on one line, two route cancellations and four route modifications. 

The public hearing is 5 p.m. February 8 at the Gas”>http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=&address=9240+Firestone+Blvd.&city=Downey&state=CA&zipcode=”>Gas Company Building, 9240 Firestone Blvd., Downey. It is accessible by Metro Local lines 115/315, 127, 266; and http://www.downeyca.org/residential_transservice.php” href=”http://www.downeyca.org/residential_transservice.php”>DowneyLink> lines http://www.downeyca.org/graphics/dlink_nw.jpg”>Northeast>, http://www.downeyca.org/graphics/dlink_sw.jpg”>Southwest> and http://www.downeyca.org/graphics/dlink_se.jpg”>Southeast.

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I <3 movies!!!!!11!1

Added on Friday, February 2nd, 2007

Question: What is arguably the busiest bus line in LA?
The 720 Rapid.

Question: Where is it busiest?
It might not be the #1 stop, but Wilshire & Western is known to be one of the big boys.

Question: What time is it?
Rush hour on a Friday Evening.

Question: What is taking up the entirety of the bus stop there?
No less than 5 white movie trucks. Sorry everybody, we got sum movies 2 make!! bettr luck nex tymeeeee

Get LA Moving Presentation/Transit Coaliton Meeting

Added on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007
January 23, 2007
6:45 pm

This meeting starts at 6:45 PM at Phillipe’s Downtown and goes until 8:45PM or later! 

Damien Goodmon, creator of the now famous (at least amongst transit advocates and Los Angeles blogosphere readers) $40 billion hypothetical rail transit map for Los Angeles is launching a new plan and website called “Get LA Moving“. He, in conjunction with the Transit Coalition, is having a public presentation tonight at the Transit Coalition’s monthly meeting at Philippe’s downtown.

Here’s the contents of the email he sent for anyone who is interested:

About a year after I began to dream what an extensive urban rail transit system in Los Angeles would look like, we’re finally beginning to stretch our legs.

Tonight will be the first public presentation of the Get LA Moving Plan (outline below) at the Transit Coalition monthly meeting at Philippe’s in downtown: http://boards.eesite.com/board.cgi?boardset=ExpoLine&boardid=Lobby&thread=21&spec=6233646

I really can’t think of a better place to officially launch this effort than the intimate meeting of this phenomenal group of transit advocates, many of whom I directly credit for helping quickly bring me up to speed about the history and current state of mass transit in the southland. I look forward to their feedback and will use it - as I have done all comments - to strengthen the proposal.

If you’re unable to attend, we’re going to put the powerpoint presentation on our “temporary” website, which will be operational by the end of the week (likely by Thursday). I say “temporary” because we have big plans for the website and we’re going to need your help and the help of many others to get them accomplished.

The website and the map update are the product of Jason Law, an ordinary citizen simply contributing some free time and his talents to an effort to make our communities and our great city more livable.

I have spent so much time on this project because I wholeheartedly believe that our many skills and the talents of many others who have offered and will offer help can be combined to create a powerful website that fosters coalition building and activism. The plan sparks debate and the site will encourage it to spread through the web, while also directing individuals to existing transit advocacy efforts and support the creation of new ones.

As shown both by the columns/blogs of the LA Times’ Steve Lopez and the blog coverage of the old version of the map, there’s a passionate desire for solutions to our mobility crisis among Angelinos. All that is needed is our leadership and coordination to transform these strong sentiments into winds of change.

Stay tuned…we’re beginning to get good at this. :-)

Sincerely,
Damien Goodmon
damienwg@gmail.com

P.S. getlamoving@gmail.com is now my public email address. I have no problem with people distributing it as far and wide as you like.

Sounds like a very exciting idea, and if my workload slows down tonight I definitely plan on attending, and so should you!

Ruskie Bus Stops

Added on Thursday, January 11th, 2007

Hey LA, check out these wild Russian bus stops! We all know ours can oftentimes have a serious case of the uggs.. especially those gray rubbermade bois, but these are pretty damn wild. If we had something like these, we might even be able to forget about that bus that’s over an hour late and nowhere in sight.

MetroMovies: LA Without a Car

Added on Thursday, November 30th, 2006

Can you live without a car in LA, the epicenter of America’s automobile obsession?

This well made short film follows a young freelance video editor who successfully navigates the streets of Los Angeles via skateboard, bus, and rail. No car required.

[googlevideo]-7288289103285971208[/googlevideo]