The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) announced plans last week to undertake a review of the agency's massive bus system. The redesign will hope to address declining ridership.
"After years of relatively few changes, Metro is beginning the process of reimagining and restructuring its bus system [pdf] to better meet the needs of past, current and future riders," reports Steve Hymon.
After stressing that Metro is only beginning the process (more on that later), Hymon lists some key takeaways for interested observers, including a timeline of next steps. By the end of the year, Metro plans to hire a consultant to "identify the different transit markets in L.A. County; study the agency’s current bus system and how well it serves current and potential customers, and; recommend how best to transform the system to be more relevant to what people want today." Metro plans to complete the review of the bus system by 2019.
Hymon also notes that that the Metro bus system has seen substantial decline in ridership in recent years, similar to the experience of bus systems in other metropolitan areas. Hymon says Metro's goal with the review is to "retain current riders, reclaim past riders and recruit new riders."
The new plan would seem to follow up on the recommendations of a "Blue Ribbon Committee," presented to Metro in July 2015. Hymon did not mention whether those recommendations would inform the new review process.
FULL STORY: Metro plans to reimagine and restructure its vast bus system
Driver Shortage Undercuts the Potential of L.A.’s Recent Bus System Redesign
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority implemented a complete overhaul of its bus system in three waves over the course of 2021. A shortage of drivers for the system has made it impossible to implement that vision.
Metro L.A. Drafts Frequent Bus Service Plan
Late last week, Los Angeles transit riders got a first peak at the proposed NextGen Bus Plan, a system redesign that promises to completely redefine transit access in the county.
Bus Ridership Declines Challenge Los Angeles
The Wall Street Journal reports that bus riders on the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority system has declined significantly in recent years.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service