Metrolink versus the car

Metro Link might be the last chance at Mass Transit in Southern California. As freeways expand and land prices continue to rise (Although it appears to be slowing) it has become near impossible to establish corridors that could house potential mass transit opportunities. Dedicated lanes for Bus Rapid Transit are a possibility, but how many would complain if they can’t drive in a lane that is empty 50% of the time? It would be extremely difficult to establish a new transit corridor. We have to look at what is available and how it can be used to our advantage.

I recently read in OCR and in OCTA’s newsletter that Metro link is going to connect to Orange County on the weekends! June 3, trains will run 3-6 round trips on Saturday, and service will expand to Sunday, beginning July 2. According to statements from OCTA, all service will eventually be stepped up to 30 minutes during peak hours and hourly at other times. 13 million use the service annually (Separate boardings). Hopefully as the service is increased more will see its worth. Previously, (and currently till the new trips begin) commuting has be restricted to 6am-6pm users. Anyone else has to take a car.

The number of users/boardings could soar if the accessibility were increased and price maintained or decreased. However this can not happen with trains that are costly to operate and maintain. The corridor is shared with freight lines currently.

Perhaps what should be investigated is utilizing the corridors throughout the greater Los Angeles region and establish additional tracks dedicated to an enhanced Metro Link, but one that runs more cheaply. This is a catch 22 as I understand, because what keeps Metro link low cost to tax payers and riders is the fact new rail did not need to be laid. Perhaps a secondary system that connected smaller stations could be established with the goal of matching the Metrolinks network in the future. The existing Metrolink could operate until this increase were met.

Station design and location is complete, but can we increase the trips available in a desire to increase the ridership? If you build it they will come, albeit slowly. This goes back to my thoughts on “The Car Mentality” of Last week. We will get there, it will just take time and money.

As a side note OCTA has ordered 291 Natural Gas powered buses to meet demand and replace inefficient and polluting diesel busses.