Coming Soon: Metro Orange Line
Today the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that the Metro Orange Line would begin operating on Saturday, October 29. The Orange Line is a dedicated busway that will travel across the San Fernando Valley along an abandoned railroad right-of-way. The 14-mile-long corridor will run east from Warner Center to North Hollywood, where it will feed into the Metro Red Line, a subway leading to Hollywood, Wilshire Center, and Downtown Los Angeles (click here for route map). The corridor will feature 13 rail-like passenger stations and extra-long articulated "Metro Liner" buses like the one pictured above.The Orange Line is being touted as a low-cost alternative to light rail and subway lines in the ongoing battle against traffic in greater Los Angeles. Recently elected Mayor Antonio Villariagosa has made the expansion of the Metro system a priority and everyone is anxious to see whether the Orange Line will be a success. See also: Dreaming of a Subway to the Sea
The following is today's MTA press release:
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Official Opening Date for Metro Orange Line set for Oct. 29
Free public rides, community festivities planned for opening day weekend
Heralding a new era in transit service for the San Fernando Valley, Metro plans to officially open the Metro Orange Line Saturday, Oct. 29 to free public rides and festive community celebrations.
The new 14-mile transitway will start across the street from the terminus of the Metro Red Line subway in North Hollywood and pass through the communities of Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Tarzana to Warner Center in Woodland Hills, offering Valley commuters a time and money-saving commuting alternative to the 101 Freeway.
“The opening of the Metro Orange Line represents a milestone for the citizens of the San Fernando Valley, who have waited decades for an innovative transportation solution to help relieve some of the most congested freeway corridors in the country,” said Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of the City of Los Angeles and Chairman of the Metro Board of Directors. “With gasoline prices spiking to $3 and more per gallon, the Orange Line will arrive just in time to help Valley commuters save money and commute time. I urge all Angelenos to join me in riding the Metro Orange Line and the entire Metro Bus and Rail System whenever possible.”
The public will get their first opportunity to ride the new line for free Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 29-30, where opening weekend service will be frequent.
“I and many San Fernando Valley citizens have dedicated the better part of the last seven years to bringing this transit project to a successful conclusion,” said Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles County Supervisor. “This is an L.A. solution to an L.A. traffic problem. When the Orange Line succeeds — as I know it will — it will serve as a region-wide model that offers commuters a quick, reliable, flexible and inexpensive alternative to gridlock.”
On Saturday, community celebrations are planned between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at several stations along the route including the North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Balboa, Pierce College, and Warner Center stations. No community events are scheduled on Sunday.
The opening of the transitway will mark the debut of the 60-foot Metro Liner, a custom-built, articulated bus that can seat up to 57 passengers. These advanced, aerodynamically designed vehicles provide quick and easy boarding, a roomy interior, full accessibility and automated station announcement system.
“The Metro Orange Line will bring quicker, more efficient bus service to Valley commuters and easier access to the expansive, countywide Metro Bus and Rail system," said Roger Snoble, CEO of Metro. “We encourage everyone to jump on-board and experience the Valley’s new shortcut for themselves.”
The Orange Line, the first of its kind transitway project in Southern California, began construction in January 2003 and incorporates a host of innovative construction and design features, from advanced traffic light signal priority system to artistically designed transit stations, park & ride lots with more than 3,000 parking spaces, bicycle and pedestrian paths and California native landscaping.
Ridership on the line is expected to reach an average of 22,000 boardings per day by 2020, providing access to business and education centers, arts and theater venues, neighborhoods, entertainment, attractions and the natural environment.
Following free rides opening weekend, Metro Orange Line fares will be $1.25 for one-way trips, or $3 for a Metro Day Pass that allows unlimited local access on both the Metro Bus and Rail System from the time of purchase until 3 a.m the next day. Weekly and monthly transit passes are $14 and $52, respectively. One-way and day pass fares can be purchased at station ticket vending machines. Monthly passes can be purchased on Metro’s web site at http://www.metro.net/ and at various retail outlets.
For more information on the Metro Orange Line, visit www.metro.net/orangeline.
posted by Mitch Glaser @ 5:56 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
That's one wild looking bus.
At about 3:35 pm, we took the free ride on Metro's Orange Line starting from the Pierce College stop, looped around Warner Center before continuing on to NoHo for dinner nearby. It was a very pleasant ride with views never seen before. But, however, on our return back to the Pierce College stop, we were bothered by the difficulty of seeing names of stops as it was already dark outdoors especially from inside a well lit bus. I suggest a few more strategically placed illuminated names of stops for easier identification. This is especially so for those who cannot hear announcements.
The cross walk between the Orange Line and Red Line at Lankershim Blvd. could use a bird and all-weather proofed overhang from station to station. This would seem to offer perception of continuity as if hopping from one subway to another.
More work needs to go to shielding waiting passengers from rising or setting sunlight at causeway stops.
A wider margin between causeway buses need to be improved. We were unnerved by the narrow tolerance between passing buses.
All in all, we hope for great success to the present causeway and hope for further expansion to include West Hills.
Key thing to rember...Orangel Line busway was intended to extend the existing multi-billion dollar sub-way (RED LINE) across the valley with the high cost. That being the main intent. The connection must be FAST like 5 mins....not clunky. The North Hollywood Station needs to be integrated with a tunnel or over
pass with escalators . Mave even an airport-like speed walk that
reverses acording to the rush hour direction. The ORANGE line must be a feeder for the far more expensive
REDLINE. It needs to bring drivers into the city on the REDLINE after
they have conveniently parked their
cars. This gets them off all the metro freeways, and reduces traffic on the main streets of the valley. 8000 to 12,000 free or very cheap spaces are neeeded. Extra trains can be added to the REDLINE if needed. The Parking at North Hollywood is a scandal. Parking is all gone by 6:45 am.
They are now trying to make a franchise holder rich by charging
a big fee for monthly parking
permits. This is likely to happen with the new ORANGE LINE parking as well if the spaces are very limited. At least 3/4 should be free to first come users.
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