Metro (Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority) Rapid service, which has increased bus travel times by 25 percent in 15 high-traffic corridors, is expanding. This month, two new Metro Rapid lines are beginning service in Santa Monica and Long Beach, with limited stops and signal priority to speedbuses more quickly through congested intersections. Also this month, two new Metro Rapid Express Lines begin service on Wilshire and Hawthorne boulevards. These lines shave yet another 12-15 minutes off bus travel times by making only a handful of stops. On many routes, Metro’s innovative, high-capacity 45- and 60-foot-articulated buses offer 15 and 25 percent greater passenger capacity and amenities typically seen only in rail cars. Metro’s rail line is also expanding. The LA to Pasadena Metro Gold Line’s six-mile extension into East LA is expected to open in 2009. And in 2010, the new Metro Expo Line connecting Downtown with Culver City is scheduled to open. For $5, passengers can travel all day on the entire Metro Bus and Rail network. Day passes are sold at all Metro Rail ticket vending machines and onboard Metro buses.
www.metro.net