Gold Line Foothill Extension Already a Success? (Long Beach, San Bernardino: employment, to live in)

[Astral_Weeks]

Originally Posted by genjy

Driving to SM can take just as long, especially when you factor in local traffic and searching for parking.

This is why Expo 2 is going to be a game-changer. It's ~47 mins from DTLA to SM Pier--a time not consistently achievable with driving.

Any idea how much faster it would be if it were heavy/all underground? I know that was never a consideration for this route but I am curious what the future purple line (subway to the sea) would be from DTLA to Santa Monica.

[JohnG72]

Just shows how much demand there is for improved light rail in LA County.

It will take a lot of time, but future LA County plans include extending the Gold Line into Pico Rivera and Whittier, the Green Line into Torrance, and an express bus from South Bay to North SFV along the 405(This is a mistake and should be light rail, along with light rail circling the SFV and cutting across it on Tampa or Balboa, along Supulveda, and along Lankershim...but the modern Luddites hate this idea.)

It will be years, but the John and Ken curmudgeon "Leave me alone in my car" crowd has failed and lost. Taxes will go up, LA will get decent public transportation. Meantime the leave me alone in my car people will suffer immensely on increasingly crowded roadways.

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by Astral_Weeks

Any idea how much faster it would be if it were heavy/all underground? I know that was never a consideration for this route but I am curious what the future purple line (subway to the sea) would be from DTLA to Santa Monica.

Thats one of the other routes Metro said will go in quicker than anticipated...purple line extension to westwood.

Anywho, redline to north hollywood from Union station is about 35 minutes, with a MAJOR stop at 7th/Fig.

You can probably use that to figure out what DTLA to SM would be.

[Astral_Weeks]

^^Thanks..good idea to use redline to North Hollywood as a proxy.

[BGS91762]

There is demand for all types of rail in Greater LA. People always say Metrolink is underutilized, but as a regular rider, I can tell you the rush hour lines are packed. The reason Metrolink doesn't have a high ridership is because they don't run many trains compared to other systems. Put in a Cal Train like schedule in Northern California and ridership would explode.

[YoungTraveler2011]

lol @ taking the train.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by BGS91762

There is demand for all types of rail in Greater LA. People always say Metrolink is underutilized, but as a regular rider, I can tell you the rush hour lines are packed. The reason Metrolink doesn't have a high ridership is because they don't run many trains compared to other systems. Put in a Cal Train like schedule in Northern California and ridership would explode.

Metrolink is way too expensive for non-commuters. Even the new short-distance $3.00 per station option is still crazy talk for most recreational riders.

[BGS91762]

People that think Metrolink is too expensive better never take Commuter Rail in NYC or Boston. Way more expensive and both have many recreational riders. Also, the poster must never have taken Metrolink on weekends. Packed with recreational users taking advantage of the $10 Day Pass which includes free connections to Metro Rail and busses. The best deal around.

[genjy]

Metrolink is $7+ one way from Covina to DTLA in about 50 mins.

Metro Rail is $1.75 one way from Azusa to DTLA in about 50 mins with many more useful stops.

Metro Rail sells $7 Day Pass every day, on top of that.

Not saying Metrolink is super-expensive compared to other commuter rail, but it's very expensive compared to Metro Rail.

[Tribes]

Originally Posted by YoungTraveler2011

lol @ taking the train.

LOL.. You're the only one who loves driving in rush hour traffic.