r/LAMetro

I just got back from London, and on the Underground, every time the train was stopped in the tunnel for more than 30 seconds there was an automated announcement: “this train is being held at a red signal and should be moving shortly. We apologize for the delay” or something like that.

Small touch, but it adds to how professional the system feels. Wouldn’t mind if we started doing that on the B and D lines.

Rally together and go if you can. Gas prices have been nothing short of horrific. Do you really want to be left with no options? Do you want the same levels of inconvenience from the Riverside line across the system? Metrolink and OCTA are expected to slash their budget. Take a stand. Stop the cuts.

tl;dr: Metro is suing Burbank, and Burbank isn’t sure if rush hour only bus lanes will prevent SB79 from activating.

I was tuning in and out so I only caught half of those 6hrs but like…

1. Meeting started with a banger: Metro is suing Burbank, for… not giving them BRT construction permits yet?
2. Burbank says Metro literally won’t acknowledge any of Burbank’s requests over a period of 6 years on the dedicated lanes concern (I wonder if this is related to under staffing that Nithya complains about that led to the 2yr Griffith Park bike lane delay) but also might meet with Burbanks contact David Krisky every week or two
3. SB79 triggers were the primary concern though 2.5hrs of public comments meant many concerns were expressed on both sides
4. SB79 might not get activated for most Burbank stations if the dedicated bus lanes are only during rush hour like Wilshire (this is their best path forwards for that)… but there’s a whole CA dept (SGAC) who decides whenever they want to gather whatever evidence they want (or may have already decided) whether any given BRT is SB79 activating or not. This sounds extremely obtuse and is the thing Burbank doesn’t want to happen, and Burbank literally can’t tell if they have any control over it or not. (trying to figure this out is where all of the final 30min went)
5. Meeting kind of ended with everyone feeling powerless while their lawyer said they couldn’t talk to anyone about anything, but also I think there was some serious miscommunication by him here.

And after 6hrs of meeting I can’t blame them. Very glad to have not stayed in person.

So what’s the result?

Burbank is seriously weighing pitching to LA Metro the idea of rush hour only dedicated BRT lanes as to not activate SB79 by SGAC for most of their stations, if they are lucky. They would love to gather community feedback on this new idea but also their lawyer says they can’t do that (???), but also you’re still allowed to contact them because they’re public officials (?????) and 6hrs in I don’t think anyone had the brain power to dissect why the lawyer was confused or making things worse. I’m pretty sure he was conflating the lawsuit with their dayjob but IANAL.

Biggest plot twist: On average the council seems to really want BRT, if I saw that right? At least two of them really went to bat for it. A third lady wanted to fight Metro tooth and nail. A final guy wanted public feedback before the lawyer stepped in, I’m not sure what the guy on the right side wanted.

Next meeting June 2nd. Burbank Mayor encouraged folks to blow up her phone with feedback so go for it I guess lol.

Parting note: these people really put their hearts into it. They are people and people are flawed, esp 6hrs in, but I really admire that all of them were trying to fight for as much good as they could see from their unique perspectives. And shoutout to the Mayor’s moderation skills. I think her profession is therapy and it shows.

EDIT: oh also David Kristy’s presentation at the beginning was really good, if you have 24min to see the Burbank perspective on all this: https://www.youtube.com/live/KYA7QzUq-zI?t=500

Some dmb arse decided to get stuck on the metro tracks or crash or something. Metro is delayed. Been sitting at LATCC station for almost 20 minutes. Avoid it for now if possible.

NIMBY

Random question! Personally I always seem to change it up with no rhyme or reason and want to see if there is consensus out there.

Outside of the bus… what do you say when you’re taking public transportation?

“Let’s take the train?” Subway? Metro?

Do you change it based on if it’s heavy vs light? Metro vs Metrolink?

I think I use “train” the most and across the board regardless of type or agency.

Sorry this is mostly just a vent post: I took the train to the LAX metro station this morning, and everything was quick and perfectly smooth... until having to take the shuttle bus from the station to the airport terminals. The bus is stuck in private car traffic and I'm actually afraid I might miss my flight.

It's so frustrating seeing the people mover tracks overhead while sitting trapped in traffic a few hundred feet from the airport. We all know the skylink should have opened years ago, but the fact that it's not even going to be open for the World Cup is such an embarrassment to this city. Even more embarrassing that we can't even give the shuttle a dedicated bus lane in the interim.

I guess if there's any constructive question here, it's why doesn't the shuttle get a dedicated lane the whole way between the metro stop and the terminals? Seems like an obvious interim solution

Just a heads up, the conductor of the E line just announced there was a traffic accident on Jefferson/USC blocking the tracks so they’re heading back to USC/Expo station.