THE REGION’S TRANSIT NETWORK: FACTS AND FIGURES : Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County transportation plans are based on a coordinated network of rail, bus and highway services dubbed the “Metro System.”

Upon the merger of the Southern California Rapid Transit District (RTD) and the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission (LACTC) , the new organization, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Agency (MTA), along with other transportation agencies, will coordinate transit planning.

RAIL

METRO RAIL: Los Angeles’ Metro Rail system includes the Blue Line, Red Line and Green Line, a combination of light rail and subway. Passengers will be able to make connections between the Blue Line and Red Line at the 7th Street/Metro Center station, and ultimately between the Green and Blue lines.

+ Metro Blue Line: A 22-mile light rail line running between downtown and Long Beach.

Status: Started service in 1990

Car capacity: 150 passengers

Stations: 22

Travel time: Long Beach to L.A., approximately 45 minutes

+ Metro Red Line: The city’s first modern subway will run 22.7 miles from downtown to North Hollywood. It is being built in three segments.

Status: The initial 4.4-mile segment, scheduled to open Saturday, will operate from Union Station to MacArthur Park. See accompanying map.

+ Metro Green Line: The Green Line will be a 20-mile light rail line from Norwalk to El Segundo, traveling down the center of the Century Freeway. It will connect with the Blue Line. Future extensions are to run to LAX.

Status: Scheduled to open in late 1994 or early 1995

Car capacity: 150 passengers

Stations: 14

Travel time: Norwalk to El Segundo, 35 minutes

+ Pasadena-Los Angeles Metro Blue Line: This 13.6-mile leg of the Blue Line is to operate between Pasadena and Union Station.

Status: Scheduled to open in late 1996

Car capacity: 150 passengers

Stations: 13

Travel time: Pasadena to Los Angeles, 25 minutes

METROLINK: The regional commuter rail system uses existing rail lines purchased by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority to serve long-distance commuters.

Ultimately, the Metrolink system will include commuter lines linking the five counties of the authority--Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura. A line to Oceanside in San Diego County also is planned.

+ NOW OPEN:

Ventura County Line: Moorpark to Los Angeles, 47 miles, six stations

San Bernardino Line: Claremont to Los Angeles, 33 miles, four stations

Santa Clarita Line: Santa Clarita to Los Angeles, 35 miles, four stations

+ OPENING IN 1993:

Riverside to Union Station: 58 miles, six stations

Oceanside to Union Station: 87 miles, 13 stations

Extension of San Bernardino Line to San Bernardino: 57 miles, 12 stations

+ OPENING AFTER LATE 1994:

Riverside/Fullerton/Union Station: The 60-mile line will connect Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles counties, 13 stations

San Bernardino/Riverside/Irvine: 59 miles, 15 stations

BUSES

Southern California Rapid Transit District: Carries approximately 85% of the public transportation riders in the county, about 1.3 million passenger-trips a day. During peak hours there are:

+ 2,000 scheduled buses in service

+ More than 200 routes, over 1,400 square miles

+ 19,650 bus stops

Express commuter bus service: RTD has 37 express lines to downtown; many other agencies also run such limited-stop lines.

Other bus services:

+ Local service operated by municipal transit agencies, such as Foothill Transit.

+ Shuttle bus services.

+ Subscription bus services, which may be provided by a company for its employees.

+ DASH and Commuter Express are operated by the Los Angeles Department of Transportation for downtown, the San Fernando Valley and some Westside communities.

Dial-a-ride: Provides basic short-range transportation for the elderly and disabled.

HIGHWAYS

Car-pool lanes, also known as high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes, are being expanded throughout the freeway system. By 2001, car-pool lanes are planned for most freeways in the county. Now in existence or under construction:

The El Monte Busway: Lanes for vehicles with three or more occupants on the San Bernardino Freeway between Mission Road near downtown and Santa Anita Avenue in El Monte.

The Artesia (91) Freeway: Between Central Avenue and the 605 Freeway, there are lanes for vehicles with two or more people.

The Foothill Freeway: Lanes from Glendora to Glendale are under construction.

The San Diego Freeway: Lanes are under construction from Century Boulevard to the Harbor Freeway.

The Harbor Freeway Transitway: Will extend 19.6 miles from San Pedro to the Santa Monica Freeway near downtown. The 10.3-mile transitway portion, from the Artesia (91) Freeway to the Santa Monica Freeway, will be reserved for car pools and buses and will include 2.6 miles of elevated roadway.

INFORMATION

Regional Transit Information: (800) 2LA-RIDE

Metrolink: (800) 371-LINK

Sources: L.A. County Transportation Commission, Caltrans, Southern California Rapid Transit District, L.A. Department of Transportation.

The Red Line

The Metro Red Line is Los Angeles’ first modern subway system. The initial 4.4-mile segment of the Red Line, which runs from Union Station to MacArthur Park, opens Saturday . The $4 - billion project, being built in three segments, will eventually travel 22.7 miles from downtown Los Angeles through Hollywood to North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley.

WHAT’S NEARBY

1)

Station: Union Station

Address: Alameda Street at Sunset Boulevard

Background: A major transportation hub with connections to the Metrolink commuter line, public transit, park-and-ride lots and a “kiss-and-ride” drop-off point. Near Olvera Street and El Pueblo de Los Angeles.

2)

Station: Civic Center

Address: 1st and Hill streets

Background: Near Los Angeles City Hall, county offices and courthouse, shopping areas and Little Tokyo.

3)

Station: Pershing Square

Address: 5th and Hill streets

Background: Near the jewelry center, major business areas.

4)

Station: 7th Street/Metro Center

Address: 7th and Flower streets

Background: Near the financial and central business districts. Passengers can transfer here to the Metro Blue Line, which goes to Long Beach.

5)

Station: Westlake-MacArthur Park

Address: Wilshire Boulevard and Alvarado Street

Background: Near MacArthur Park, has a “kiss-and-ride” drop-off point.

SUBWAY INFORMATION

Status: First segment opens Saturday

Planned segments: Second segment will be completed in two stages: to Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue in 1996 and to Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in 1998. The third segment, from Hollywood to North Hollywood, will be completed by 2001. An additional east-west extension to Pico and San Vicente boulevards, later extending to the San Diego Freeway, and a line to the city’s Eastside are planned. Negotiations are continuing to determine a Valley extension, either as a subway paralleling Chandler Boulevard or as an elevated line along the Ventura Freeway.

Capacity: Up to 300 passengers per car. Opening line will have at least two four-car trains.

Stations: At least 20 stations are planned; the first five to open will have multiple entrances and exits. Elevators and transitions from platforms to vehicles will accommodate the elderly and disabled. Some stations are decorated with murals and sculptures.

Security: Officers on cars and platforms.

Services: No bathroom facilities or food outlets.

Travel time: Union Station to MacArthur Park, seven minutes.

Hours: Trains will operate every 10 minutes from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.

Connections: Passengers can purchase a 25 transfer to connect with the Blue Line at the 7th Street/Metro Center station and with RTD buses at stations along the way. Metrolink passes or tickets will be honored for Red Line connections at Union Station.

Fare: $1.10. (May be waived for introductory period.)

Tickets: Available from vending machines at stations. Monthly passes, good for bus and Metro Rail transportation and some transit agencies, are available. Tokens are also available.

Sources: L.A. County Transportation Commission, Southern California Rapid Transit District

San Diego County

The San Diego transportation improvement program, TransNet, is a 20-year plan to upgrade the county’s transportation network. It includes plans to build and upgrade more than 60 miles of highway, to add approximately 100 miles to the county’s commuter and light-rail systems, to expand bus and dial-a-ride services, and to improve and maintain the region’s streets and roadways. It will also provide $1 million annually for bicycle projects throughout the region.

RAIL

+ Urban Rail

San Diego Trolley: A 32-mile trolley system now runs south from downtown San Diego to the Mexican border and east through Lemon Grove and La Mesa into El Cajon. Extensions are planned.

The Oceanside-Escondido Rail Project: A 22-mile commuter rail-type operation along the California 78 Corridor is planned for start-up in 2000. Right of way has been purchased.

+ Commuter Rail Service

A 43-mile commuter rail extension from Oceanside to downtown San Diego along the Los Angeles/San Diego coastal corridor under the aegis of the North County Transit District is planned for late 1994 to augment Amtrak passenger service.

A Metrolink commuter rail line to Oceanside is planned to connect Orange and San Diego counties in December, although the county is not a member of the Metrolink system.

BUSES

Bus systems: The San Diego County Transit System operates in the southern half of the county; the northern section is served by North County Transit District buses. Smaller suburban systems operate throughout.

Commuter buses: The San Diego County Transit System operates five commuter express buses; other agencies run some commuter lines.

HIGHWAYS

Construction to close the gap on Interstate 15 between Interstate 8 and California 94 is under way.

The only car-pool route in the county, a reversible two-lane section on Interstate 15, will be extended to Escondido.

INFORMATION

Bus/Trolley Information: (619) 233-3004

Amtrak: (800) USA-RAIL

San Diego Assn. of Governments: (619) 595-5300

Sources: San Diego Assn. of Governments; North County Transit District; Caltrans; San Diego Transit System; Metropolitan Transit Development Board.

Ventura County

Ventura County’s overall transportation plans are coordinated by the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC). Currently, the county plans increased attention to commuter rail and bus services.

RAIL

Metrolink: Ventura County is a member of the five-county authority that operates the Metrolink commuter rail system. The line from Moorpark to downtown Los Angeles opened in 1992.

HIGHWAYS

There are three major transportation corridors between Ventura and Los Angeles counties: U.S. 101, California 126 and California 118. Bus service will be improved on U.S. 101 and California 126.

Projects: Connection of Simi Valley and Moorpark freeways is under way, with completion expected later this year. California 118 widening near the community of Saticoy is also under way. Reconstruction of the junction of California 1 and U.S. 101 near Oxnard is planned.

BUSES

Municipal systems: Eight municipal transit systems operate local lines within communities.

Dial-a-ride: Services for the elderly and handicapped are available in Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Ojai, Ventura and Oak Park/Agoura Hills.

+ Commuter Bus Service:

U.S. 101 Corridor: Ventura County Interconnect Bus provides service from Ventura to Westlake Village, where commuters can make connections to RTD buses.

California 126: Fillmore Area Transit operates a commuter express bus line serving Fillmore, Piru, Santa Paula and Ventura.

INFORMATION

Transit Information Center: (800) 438-1112

Sources: Caltrans, Ventura County Transportation Commission.

Orange County

Orange County’s transit plans are consolidated under one agency, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). The county’s transportation plans are built on a “multimodal” system of highways, buses and rail.

The planned transit system will include expanded train service between south Orange County and Los Angeles, new commuter train service connecting San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties and a system of transitways and car-pool lanes.

An initial 47-mile urban rail system for the central county is being studied.

HIGHWAYS

The county is focusing on freeway and transitway improvements. The centerpiece is the widening and reconstruction of the Santa Ana Freeway, which is under way.

Car-pool lanes: Virtually every freeway in the county, with the exception of the Garden Grove (22) Freeway, will have car-pool lanes. They already exist on:

San Diego Freeway: From the 605 Freeway to the El Toro “Y.”

Santa Ana Freeway: From the Costa Mesa Freeway to the El Toro “Y”

Costa Mesa Freeway: From the San Diego Freeway to the Riverside Freeway

Orange Freeway: From the Santa Ana Freeway to the Los Angeles County line.

TOLL ROADS: Public and private toll roads and toll lanes are planned throughout the county. Private toll roads will be paid for by a private contractor, who will receive the revenues until Caltrans takes ownership after 30 years. Public toll roads will be designated as state highways, maintained by Caltrans and financed largely through bond issues. Proposed toll roads and lanes include:

Foothill Transportation Corridor: Now under construction, this public toll road will parallel the Santa Ana Freeway, and later connect with it near the San Diego County line. The first three-mile segment is to be completed in 1993.

San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor: A public toll road is to extend the Corona del Mar Freeway from the John Wayne Airport area to San Juan Capistrano. Groundbreaking is scheduled for 1993, but may be delayed by environmental litigation.

Eastern Transportation Corridor: A public toll road from the Riverside Freeway near the Riverside County line and splitting into two legs. The west leg would end at Jamboree Road at the Irvine-Tustin boundary; the east leg would connect with the Laguna Freeway at the Santa Ana Freeway. Construction is scheduled to begin in 1996.

Riverside Freeway toll road: Private toll lanes along the median from the Riverside County line to the Costa Mesa Freeway. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring. The lanes, scheduled to open after 1995, will be free to cars with three or more occupants. Other vehicles will have to pay a toll.

Santa Ana River toll road: A private toll road is being considered for this area.

SUPERSTREETS: A network of 21 “superstreets” was adopted in 1984 to give existing streets maximum efficiency. These busy roadways will be enhanced by adding lanes, improving intersections, coordinating signals, providing bus turnouts and consolidating driveways.

BUSES

Bus system: Covers 797 square miles with more than 1,300 miles of scheduled routes. The bus system, which includes local, express and limited-stop commuter bus service, makes about 50 million passenger trips annually.

Commuter express: The OCTA has eight express bus routes for long-distance commuters.

Dial-a-ride: OCTA Access provides transportation to the elderly and disabled.

RAIL

Commuter rail: In 1990, service began between San Juan Capistrano and Los Angeles during peak commuting hours.

Metrolink: Orange County also is part of the five-county Metrolink commuter rail system.

Other planned Metrolink lines include:

+ OPENING IN 1993:

Oceanside to Los Angeles: Winter, 87 miles, 13 stations. Currently, one OCTA line and nine Amtrak passenger trains serve this route to Union Station. This winter, Metrolink will officially absorb the OCTA line and add other commuter trains. Amtrak service will continue.

+ OPENING AFTER LATE 1994:

Riverside/Fullerton/Union Station: A 60-mile line connecting Riverside, Orange and Los Angeles counties, 13 stations

San Bernardino/Riverside/Irvine: 59 miles, 15 stations

INFORMATION

OCTA : (714) 636-RIDE

Metrolink: (800) 371-LINK

Amtrak: (800) USA-RAIL

Sources: Orange County Transportation Authority, Caltrans, Amtrak.

Regional

PARK AND RIDE

Caltrans operates more than 200 park-and-ride lots in counties across the Southland, where commuters can park and take an alternate form of transit.

Many also accommodate bicycles.

Most are served by local and/or regional bus lines and are free of charge.

Some lots are restricted to train commuters or open only to permit-holders.