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===Metro Bus=== |
===Metro Bus=== |
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The SCRTD pioneered experimenting with alternate fuel buses in what some derisively call ''the fuel of the month club''. At the start of Metro's existence, there were buses running on [[ethanol]], [[methanol]], regular [[diesel]], low-sulfur (clean) diesel, and [[CNG]]. Battery-operated buses were proposed but never operated in regular service. |
The SCRTD pioneered experimenting with alternate fuel buses in what some derisively call ''the fuel of the month club''. At the start of Metro's existence, there were buses running on [[ethanol]], [[methanol]], regular [[diesel]], low-sulfur (clean) diesel, and [[CNG]]. Battery-operated buses were proposed but never operated in regular service. |
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In 1994, the [[United Transportation Union]], representing bus drivers, went on strike. <!-- name details, however --> |
In 1994, the [[United Transportation Union]], representing bus drivers, went on strike. <!-- name details, however --> |
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In the summer of 2005, the fourteen-mile [[Metro Orange Line]] began operation. The $354 million busway traverses the [[San Fernando Valley]]. It is the region's first bus to operate within its own dedicated right-of-way. Unfortunately, within its first week of operation, the at-grade Orange Line experienced three collisions with automobiles, all of which were deemed the fault of automobile drivers who ran red lights. |
In the summer of 2005, the fourteen-mile [[Metro Orange Line]] began operation. The $354 million busway traverses the [[San Fernando Valley]]. It is the region's first bus to operate within its own dedicated right-of-way. Unfortunately, within its first week of operation, the at-grade Orange Line experienced three collisions with automobiles, all of which were deemed the fault of automobile drivers who ran red lights. |
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Today, the LACMTA operates the nation's largest fleet of [[Compressed Natural Gas|CNG]]-powered buses. The CNG fleet reduces emissions of particulates by 90%, [[carbon monoxide]] by 80%, and [[greenhouse gases]] by 20% over the 500 remaining [[diesel]] powered buses in the fleet. Alternative fuel buses have logged more than 450 million operating miles since 1993, an industry record. |
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===Metro Rail=== |
===Metro Rail=== |
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====Beginnings==== |
====Beginnings==== |
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In 1980, voters passed Proposition A, which set aside a half-cent sales tax to help pay for a regional transit system. This |
In 1980, voters passed Proposition A, which set aside a half-cent sales tax to help pay for a regional transit system. This success was followed after various proposals in 1968, 1972, and 1976 had failed at the polls. The plan that accompanied the initiative showed ten transit corridors, with the Wilshire subway line the “cornerstone” of the project, according to former RTD planning director Gary Spivak. County Supervisor [[James Hahn]], who authored the bill, ensured that his [[South Los Angeles]] district received the first dollars for a [[light-rail]] line on the old Long Beach [[Red Car]] route (this would become the [[LACMTA Blue Line|Blue]] line). |
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In 1985, Congressmen [[Henry Waxman]] (D. Los Angeles), an opponent of the subway, moved to halt the project by removing all subway construction money from that year's Federal Transportation Budget. He raised safety concerns, citing a methane explosion in the basement of a Ross Dress for Less in the [[Mid-Wilshire]] district. Thanks to last minute lobbying by RTD president [[Nick Patsaouras]], he relented and allowed funding to go through as long as it did not pass through his district. Most of that district had been designated a "Methane Risk Zone" by a city task force investigateing the ‘Dress for Less’ explosion. With the |
In 1985, Congressmen [[Henry Waxman]] (D. Los Angeles), an opponent of the subway, moved to halt the project by removing all subway construction money from that year's Federal Transportation Budget. He raised safety concerns, citing a methane explosion in the basement of a Ross Dress for Less in the [[Mid-Wilshire]] district. Thanks to last minute lobbying by RTD president [[Nick Patsaouras]], he relented and allowed funding to go through as long as it did not pass through his district. Most of that district had already been designated a "Methane Risk Zone" by a city task force investigateing the ‘Dress for Less’ explosion. With the Wilshire corridor now no longer allowed, the future [[LACMTA Red Line|Red]] line route was rerouted towards Vermont to Hollywood rather than directly west. As a result of this compromise, there is a one-mile stub between 'Wilshire and Vermont' and 'Wilshire and Western'. |
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With funding in hand, the LACMTA began opening up rail lines: |
With funding in hand and a clear picture of allowed routes, the LACMTA began opening up light-rail and subway lines: |
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*In 1990, the SCRTD opened the [[LACMTA Blue Line|Blue]] line, the region's first modern [[light rail]] line |
*In 1990, the SCRTD opened the [[LACMTA Blue Line|Blue]] line, a 22-mile line that is the region's first modern [[light rail]] line. |
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*In 1993, the first segment of the [[LACMTA Red Line|Red]] line opened. The Red Line is Los Angeles's only subway line and the Metro's only mass transit line that is entirely within the boundaries of Los Angeles. A year later, the Red Line was extended to [[Wilshire/Western (LACMTA Station)|Wilshire/Western]] in the [[Koreatown, Los Angeles, California|Koreatown area of Los Angeles]]. |
*In 1993, the first segment of the [[LACMTA Red Line|Red]] line opened. The Red Line is Los Angeles's only subway line and the Metro's only mass transit line that is entirely within the boundaries of Los Angeles. A year later, the Red Line was extended to [[Wilshire/Western (LACMTA Station)|Wilshire/Western]] in the [[Koreatown, Los Angeles, California|Koreatown area of Los Angeles]]. |
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*In 1994, |
*In 1994, the [[LACMTA Green Line|Green]] line, opened. It runs from from [[El Segundo, California|El Segundo]] to [[Norwalk, California|Norwalk]] in the center median of [[Interstate 105 (California)|Interstate 105]]. |
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====Bus Riders Union agreement==== |
====Bus Riders Union agreement==== |
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In 1998, frustrated with sinkholes, cost overruns, and perceived mis-management, 65% of [[Los Angeles County]] voters approved a ballot measure sponsored by County Supervisor [[Zev Yaroslavsky]] that barred the use of county sales tax money for all future subway projects. |
In 1998, frustrated with sinkholes, cost overruns, and perceived mis-management, 65% of [[Los Angeles County]] voters approved a ballot measure sponsored by County Supervisor [[Zev Yaroslavsky]] that barred the use of county sales tax money for all future subway projects. |
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Due to the loss of revenue, the |
Due to the loss of revenue, the LACMTA suspended construction to both the [[LACMTA Blue Line|Pasadena Blue Line]] light rail line to Pasadena and an extension of the Red Line to East L.A. It also stopped all planning for any future subway extensions. However, construction on the Hollywood and North Hollywood extensions of the Red Line continued, as these projects were more then 80% complete. On [[June 12]], [[1999]], the section to [[Hollywood/Highland (LACMTA_Station)|Hollywood/Highland]] was completed. |
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On [[June 24]], [[2000]], the Red Line was extended to [[North Hollywood (LACMTA Station)|North Hollywood]]. Because of the ban on county sales tax for subway construction and the separate federal ban sponsored by Congressman [[Henry Waxman]], which prohibits the use of federal dollars in the [[Wilshire Boulevard]] corridor, the North Hollywood leg is likely to be last extension of the Red Line for at least the next decade. |
On [[June 24]], [[2000]], the Red Line was extended to [[North Hollywood (LACMTA Station)|North Hollywood]]. Because of the ban on county sales tax for subway construction and the separate federal ban sponsored by Congressman [[Henry Waxman]], which prohibits the use of federal dollars in the [[Wilshire Boulevard]] corridor, the North Hollywood leg is likely to be last extension of the Red Line for at least the next decade. |
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====Gold Line==== |
====Gold Line==== |
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Concerned at Metro's suspension of the 11% completed Blue Line to Pasadena, Pasadena rail advocates lobbied State Senator [[Adam Schiff]] |
Concerned at Metro's suspension of the 11% completed Blue Line to Pasadena, Pasadena rail advocates lobbied State Senator [[Adam Schiff]] to continue construction. He authored Senate Bill 1847, Chapter 1021, which created the '''Pasadena Blue Line Construction Authority''', an independent authority whose sole task was to complete the suspended light rail line to Pasadena. Once completed, the authority would turn the operation of the line over to LACMTA. |
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When it became clear the Pasadena Blue Line would not connect with the [[ |
When it became clear the Pasadena Blue Line would not connect with the [[LACMTA Bule Line|Blue]] Line, the board voted to change the name of the line. Some board members proposed the "Rose Line" in honor of Pasadena's famed annual New Year's Rose parade and football game. However, because planned [[East L.A.]] extensions of this line would cross communities far from Pasadena, the board renameed it the [[LACMTA Gold Line|Gold]] Line. |
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On [[July 26]], [[2003]], the [[LACMTA Gold Line|Gold]] line to [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]] was completed and turned over to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for operation. It was completed on time and under budget. On opening weekend some waited up to three hours to board the trains. |
On [[July 26]], [[2003]], the [[LACMTA Gold Line|Gold]] line to [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]] was completed and turned over to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for operation. It was completed on time and under budget. On opening weekend, some waited up to three hours to board the trains. |
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A few months after the Gold Line opened, for the third time in nine years, the MTA experienced a [[strike]]. The Amalgamated Transit Union again struck, crippling the entire system and stranding millions of passengers. The sticking point in contract negotiations was a [[health insurance]] trust fund the transit agency pays into and the union manages. The ATU wanted the MTA to contribute more to cover the steeply rising costs of medical care. However, an independent audit showed the union had mismanaged the nearly bankrupt trust fund, making the agency unwilling to contribute more money without getting a managerial stake. |
A few months after the Gold Line opened, for the third time in nine years, the MTA experienced a [[strike]]. The Amalgamated Transit Union again struck, crippling the entire system and stranding millions of passengers. The sticking point in contract negotiations was a [[health insurance]] trust fund the transit agency pays into and the union manages. The ATU wanted the MTA to contribute more to cover the steeply rising costs of medical care. However, an independent audit showed the union had mismanaged the nearly bankrupt trust fund, making the agency unwilling to contribute more money without getting a managerial stake. |
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Line 56: | Line 58: | ||
By 2004, the agency had been using the word "Metro" for several years to describe many of its services. (Metro Rail, Metro Bus, etc...) In August of that year, the LACMTA board voted to drop the [[acronym]] "MTA" for its common name and begin using the word "Metro" for all of its advertising campaigns and literature. The full name of the agency remains the "Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority”, the name given to it by the state legislation which brought it into existence. |
By 2004, the agency had been using the word "Metro" for several years to describe many of its services. (Metro Rail, Metro Bus, etc...) In August of that year, the LACMTA board voted to drop the [[acronym]] "MTA" for its common name and begin using the word "Metro" for all of its advertising campaigns and literature. The full name of the agency remains the "Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority”, the name given to it by the state legislation which brought it into existence. |
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Along with a new name. the agency decided to |
Along with a new name. the agency decided to recoordinate the colors to clearly identify each vehicle with the type of service it provides: |
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*Rapid buses remained their signature dark red. |
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*Local (frequent stop) buses, as well as limited stop buses, were given a [[California Poppy|California poppy orange]]. |
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*The less common Freeway Express buses were given a dark blue |
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*All Metro Rail vehicles will maintain their stainless steel color or be painted gray. |
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*The base color throughout the bus and rail fleet is silver. |
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The buses are being repainted through their normal multi-year painting cycle, so it will be a few years until all buses will have the new color scheme.. To date, only a few rail vehicles have been given the new gray and silver color scheme. |
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====Exposition Line==== |
====Exposition Line==== |
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In the years following Henry Waxman's denied plans to tunnel a subway through the dense Wilshire area, traffic and congestion has risen considerably. The point was underscored in 2000, when the guerrilla group Heavy Trash erected eight large signs along public streets announcing the construction of the "Aqua Line," a 15-mile subway "connecting downtown to the Westside." The Aqua Line was a hoax, but Heavy Trash's intent was to raise awareness that heavily-congested and populated West Los Angeles still did not have rail access. |
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The LACMTA has officially proposed the Midcity/Exposition Line, a light-rail line to begin at Whilshire and end in Santa Monica. However, some groups have sought a subway line instead. Although Waxman's legislation halted construction over safety concerns, in 2005 Waxman relented. A five-person panel, jointly chosen by Waxman and the [[American Public Transportation Association]], concluded: |
The LACMTA has officially proposed the [[LACMTA Expo Line|Midcity/Exposition Line]], a light-rail line to begin at Whilshire and end in Santa Monica. However, some groups have sought a subway line instead. Although Waxman's legislation halted construction over safety concerns, in 2005 Waxman relented. A five-person panel, jointly chosen by Waxman and the [[American Public Transportation Association]], concluded: |
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:By following proper procedures and using appropriate technologies the risk of tunneling would be no greater than other subway systems in the U.S. |
:By following proper procedures and using appropriate technologies the risk of tunneling would be no greater than other subway systems in the U.S. |
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In years prior, Waxman had previously stated if such a panel deemed tunneling safe in the Mid-Wilshire district, he would authorize legislation that would lift the ban on federal monies being used for subway construction in this dense urban area. Since the panel proved it to be safe, the ban will be lifted. However, no money has been allocated for future subway construction, and any subway proposal will need years of planning and further time to request and compete for money with other subway projects. |
In years prior, Waxman had previously stated that, if such a panel deemed tunneling safe in the Mid-Wilshire district, he would authorize legislation that would lift the ban on federal monies being used for subway construction in this dense urban area. Since the panel proved it to be safe, the ban will be lifted. However, no money has been allocated for future subway construction, and any subway proposal will need years of planning and further time to request and compete for money with other subway projects. |
Revision as of 21:54, 5 December 2005
Note: This is a personal proposal for improving the history section of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority article
History
The agency was established in February 1993 by the merger of the Southern California Rapid Transit District (SCRTD) and the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission (LACTC).
Metro Bus
The SCRTD pioneered experimenting with alternate fuel buses in what some derisively call the fuel of the month club. At the start of Metro's existence, there were buses running on ethanol, methanol, regular diesel, low-sulfur (clean) diesel, and CNG. Battery-operated buses were proposed but never operated in regular service.
In 1994, the United Transportation Union, representing bus drivers, went on strike.
In June 2000, Metro unveiled the first of 26 planned Metro Rapid bus routes.
Shortly thereafter, the Amalgamated Transit Union, representing mechanics, service attendants, and maintenance workers, went on strike shutting down virtually all rail and bus operations. The issue this time involved "transit zones" and the fear that many of MTA's routes would be privatized.
In February 2003, the MTA became the first agency in the the nation to use a bus made of composite carbon and polyester fibers. The changes resulted in a 2,100 pound lighter bus. Dubbed "Compo Buses," they have increased fuel economy, boast a faster faster acceleration and deceleration rate, and feature reduced maintenance cost. These busses have a distinct bulge along the bottom 1/4 of the side of the bus.
In the summer of 2005, the fourteen-mile Metro Orange Line began operation. The $354 million busway traverses the San Fernando Valley. It is the region's first bus to operate within its own dedicated right-of-way. Unfortunately, within its first week of operation, the at-grade Orange Line experienced three collisions with automobiles, all of which were deemed the fault of automobile drivers who ran red lights.
Today, the LACMTA operates the nation's largest fleet of CNG-powered buses. The CNG fleet reduces emissions of particulates by 90%, carbon monoxide by 80%, and greenhouse gases by 20% over the 500 remaining diesel powered buses in the fleet. Alternative fuel buses have logged more than 450 million operating miles since 1993, an industry record.
Metro Rail
Beginnings
In 1980, voters passed Proposition A, which set aside a half-cent sales tax to help pay for a regional transit system. This success was followed after various proposals in 1968, 1972, and 1976 had failed at the polls. The plan that accompanied the initiative showed ten transit corridors, with the Wilshire subway line the “cornerstone” of the project, according to former RTD planning director Gary Spivak. County Supervisor James Hahn, who authored the bill, ensured that his South Los Angeles district received the first dollars for a light-rail line on the old Long Beach Red Car route (this would become the Blue line).
In 1985, Congressmen Henry Waxman (D. Los Angeles), an opponent of the subway, moved to halt the project by removing all subway construction money from that year's Federal Transportation Budget. He raised safety concerns, citing a methane explosion in the basement of a Ross Dress for Less in the Mid-Wilshire district. Thanks to last minute lobbying by RTD president Nick Patsaouras, he relented and allowed funding to go through as long as it did not pass through his district. Most of that district had already been designated a "Methane Risk Zone" by a city task force investigateing the ‘Dress for Less’ explosion. With the Wilshire corridor now no longer allowed, the future Red line route was rerouted towards Vermont to Hollywood rather than directly west. As a result of this compromise, there is a one-mile stub between 'Wilshire and Vermont' and 'Wilshire and Western'.
With funding in hand and a clear picture of allowed routes, the LACMTA began opening up light-rail and subway lines:
- In 1990, the SCRTD opened the Blue line, a 22-mile line that is the region's first modern light rail line.
- In 1993, the first segment of the Red line opened. The Red Line is Los Angeles's only subway line and the Metro's only mass transit line that is entirely within the boundaries of Los Angeles. A year later, the Red Line was extended to Wilshire/Western in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles.
- In 1994, the Green line, opened. It runs from from El Segundo to Norwalk in the center median of Interstate 105.
Bus Riders Union agreement
When the MTA announced a bus fare increase and the elimination of monthly passes, the controversial civil rights organization Bus Riders Union (BRU) filed a federal lawsuit, charging that the spending of money on rail was "racist" and demanding that more resources go to buses instead of rail projects. The BRU claimed that 50% of rail riders were Caucasian compared with 20% of bus riders. It argued that spending on rail projects reduced funding for bus service that disproportionately affected poor and minority riders who were dependent on public transit, and that improvements for the bus system would be more cost effective and require less subsidy than building a rail system [1].
In 1996, under the direction of then-mayor Richard Riordan, the LACMTA signed a ten-year consent decree with the BRU to avoid going to court. Riordan would later publicly state that the signing of this consent decree was a mistake. At the time, he believed that load factors could be maintained with the MTA's current budget; this proved false. The agreement requires an average of fewer than eight standees on a normal 40-seat bus in a 20-minute period during peak hours and a 60-minute period during the off-peak. It also restricts Metro's ability to raise fares beyond inflation and requires the Authority to operate special services designed to better connect the poor with important job centers and medical facilities. Unless extended, the decree will expire on October 31, 2006.
Revenue loss
In 1998, frustrated with sinkholes, cost overruns, and perceived mis-management, 65% of Los Angeles County voters approved a ballot measure sponsored by County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky that barred the use of county sales tax money for all future subway projects.
Due to the loss of revenue, the LACMTA suspended construction to both the Pasadena Blue Line light rail line to Pasadena and an extension of the Red Line to East L.A. It also stopped all planning for any future subway extensions. However, construction on the Hollywood and North Hollywood extensions of the Red Line continued, as these projects were more then 80% complete. On June 12, 1999, the section to Hollywood/Highland was completed.
On June 24, 2000, the Red Line was extended to North Hollywood. Because of the ban on county sales tax for subway construction and the separate federal ban sponsored by Congressman Henry Waxman, which prohibits the use of federal dollars in the Wilshire Boulevard corridor, the North Hollywood leg is likely to be last extension of the Red Line for at least the next decade.
Gold Line
Concerned at Metro's suspension of the 11% completed Blue Line to Pasadena, Pasadena rail advocates lobbied State Senator Adam Schiff to continue construction. He authored Senate Bill 1847, Chapter 1021, which created the Pasadena Blue Line Construction Authority, an independent authority whose sole task was to complete the suspended light rail line to Pasadena. Once completed, the authority would turn the operation of the line over to LACMTA.
When it became clear the Pasadena Blue Line would not connect with the Blue Line, the board voted to change the name of the line. Some board members proposed the "Rose Line" in honor of Pasadena's famed annual New Year's Rose parade and football game. However, because planned East L.A. extensions of this line would cross communities far from Pasadena, the board renameed it the Gold Line.
On July 26, 2003, the Gold line to Pasadena was completed and turned over to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for operation. It was completed on time and under budget. On opening weekend, some waited up to three hours to board the trains.
A few months after the Gold Line opened, for the third time in nine years, the MTA experienced a strike. The Amalgamated Transit Union again struck, crippling the entire system and stranding millions of passengers. The sticking point in contract negotiations was a health insurance trust fund the transit agency pays into and the union manages. The ATU wanted the MTA to contribute more to cover the steeply rising costs of medical care. However, an independent audit showed the union had mismanaged the nearly bankrupt trust fund, making the agency unwilling to contribute more money without getting a managerial stake.
At the end of 2003, Metro introduced the "$3 day pass" and lowered fares from $1.35 to $1.25. The day pass allows patrons to get on and off Metro buses and trains as many times as they like within one operational day without paying an additional fare. It represents a slight fare increase for some patrons and a decrease for others, depending upon how many times one transfers.
Naming changes
By 2004, the agency had been using the word "Metro" for several years to describe many of its services. (Metro Rail, Metro Bus, etc...) In August of that year, the LACMTA board voted to drop the acronym "MTA" for its common name and begin using the word "Metro" for all of its advertising campaigns and literature. The full name of the agency remains the "Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority”, the name given to it by the state legislation which brought it into existence.
Along with a new name. the agency decided to recoordinate the colors to clearly identify each vehicle with the type of service it provides:
- Rapid buses remained their signature dark red.
- Local (frequent stop) buses, as well as limited stop buses, were given a California poppy orange.
- The less common Freeway Express buses were given a dark blue
- All Metro Rail vehicles will maintain their stainless steel color or be painted gray.
- The base color throughout the bus and rail fleet is silver.
The buses are being repainted through their normal multi-year painting cycle, so it will be a few years until all buses will have the new color scheme.. To date, only a few rail vehicles have been given the new gray and silver color scheme.
Exposition Line
In the years following Henry Waxman's denied plans to tunnel a subway through the dense Wilshire area, traffic and congestion has risen considerably. The point was underscored in 2000, when the guerrilla group Heavy Trash erected eight large signs along public streets announcing the construction of the "Aqua Line," a 15-mile subway "connecting downtown to the Westside." The Aqua Line was a hoax, but Heavy Trash's intent was to raise awareness that heavily-congested and populated West Los Angeles still did not have rail access.
The LACMTA has officially proposed the Midcity/Exposition Line, a light-rail line to begin at Whilshire and end in Santa Monica. However, some groups have sought a subway line instead. Although Waxman's legislation halted construction over safety concerns, in 2005 Waxman relented. A five-person panel, jointly chosen by Waxman and the American Public Transportation Association, concluded:
- By following proper procedures and using appropriate technologies the risk of tunneling would be no greater than other subway systems in the U.S.
In years prior, Waxman had previously stated that, if such a panel deemed tunneling safe in the Mid-Wilshire district, he would authorize legislation that would lift the ban on federal monies being used for subway construction in this dense urban area. Since the panel proved it to be safe, the ban will be lifted. However, no money has been allocated for future subway construction, and any subway proposal will need years of planning and further time to request and compete for money with other subway projects.