MetroRiderLA

The Exposition Construction Authority’s next phase 2 Community Workshops - on grade crossings, station and parking locations, bike routes and more - are scheduled (notice):

• Wednesday, March 26, 6:30 pm, Webster Middle School, 11330 Graham Pl., Los Angeles
• Tuesday, April 1, 6:30 pm, Crossroads School, 1714 21st St., Santa Monica
• Thursday, April 3, 6:30 pm, Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, 3200 Motor Ave., L.A.

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Metro’s draft Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) has been released, with public comment due by April 25. This is the master plan for Expo and all other potential new transit lines in Los Angeles County. The Westside and Downtown public meetings are:

• March 26, 6:30pm, Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Bl., West Hollywood
• March 27, 6:30pm, Metro HQ, One Gateway Plaza, Board Room - Third Floor, Los Angeles

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To learn more about the Expo Line, visit Friends 4 Expo Transit and the Expo Line Construction Authority.

Ahh, the audacity of hope… for a car-free future.

Last week, Metro released to the public their Draft Long Range Transportation Plan. The LRTP is a document that looks to assess and address the transportation needs of the Los Angeles area for the next 25 years.  A quarter of a century is a pretty big number, it’s hard to say if I’ll still be blogging when I’m 52, but if I am I’ll be able to link back to this post and review how the plan was implemented.

The next 40 days are crucial for the next 25 years, since Metro is allowing public comment on their plan until April 25th.   In order to encourage people to get involved, Metro has launched the Barrack Obama inspired “Imagine” campaign, in which Metro asks people to imagine a better future.  Yes we can!

The Imagine campaign may be Metro’s best marketing campaign yet.  It’s certainly the most complete.  The LRTP document[PDF] itself is beautifully designed, with inspiring photography that spans pages and equally inspiring copy.  The website is bold, colorful, easy to navigate, and interactive.  There’s even what I believe to be a Metro first… a blog! The blog even accepts comments.  There’s also a full on advertising assault, with billboards and posters promoting the Imagine campaign popping up all over the city.

Such audacity!

Join the conversation about the Long Range Transportation Plan in the new MetroRiderLA Forum.

One of our readers from out-of-town emailed us with a question, and I’m putting it to you guys to help her out. Here it is:

Hi, I’m going to LA and I was wondering if you knew if there were lockers available at Union Station, as I plan to use the FlyAway bus to LAX after exploring the city for a bit. If you do, do you know if they’d be big enough for a suitcase of moderate size? Thanks!

I don’t know the answer to this off the top of my head. My gut tells me that there’s no lockers at Union Station… someone prove me wrong. If I’m right, can anyone suggest any creative ways for a visitor to safely store suitcases at/near Union Station? L.A. needs to be friendly to our 25.4 million yearly visitors.  Thanks!

• Commentary on density, growth, and the media in Los Angeles.
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• Climate change brings planning changes.
• Pasadena residents walk in order to make one of the most walkable communities in L.A. even more walkable.
• Downtown gets a new DASH line, loses the City Hall Shuttle.

• The L.A. Bicycle Master Plan is a plan all right, just not one that is particularly friendly to bicyclists
• My Super Sweet Sixteen: the car is playing a smaller role in everyone’s favorite birthday milestone
• Cities are working to help pedestrians for once
• Downtown wants their connector underground, no ifs ands or buts
• Is doing more of the same really a 180? Street Heat thinks not