tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29141751113687694082024-02-06T20:07:48.943-08:00The Pink LineThis blog covers public transit, queer life and politics in Southern California, and anything else I feel like commenting on at the time.Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-35744393733430709842021-10-23T14:52:00.014-07:002021-10-23T15:40:33.853-07:00What Next For CSUN and Metro? and What About Metrolink?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEividx5VMKi-qTV8APLqbBTA4i4CgDpdIijP_xUUzzazXdnWY4aaFVLMTHV8DWraJBbuB-U-3gQS5lQTzSybkzrpsp1gdSrqBNdJGVoCeMgf5fHZ-VqRW-TfkRH6mWwspIv-enmc0ffpxA8/s2048/20-1222_map_NSFV_BRT_ProposedAlignment_ENG_jo_v2_final-2048x1325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="2048" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEividx5VMKi-qTV8APLqbBTA4i4CgDpdIijP_xUUzzazXdnWY4aaFVLMTHV8DWraJBbuB-U-3gQS5lQTzSybkzrpsp1gdSrqBNdJGVoCeMgf5fHZ-VqRW-TfkRH6mWwspIv-enmc0ffpxA8/w400-h259/20-1222_map_NSFV_BRT_ProposedAlignment_ENG_jo_v2_final-2048x1325.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /></div><p><a href="https://twitter.com/numble/status/1450928487976644610?s=20" target="_blank">Numble</a> has reported on Twitter that it is unfortunately looking increasingly like Metro is going to scrap the North San Fernando Valley Bus Rapid Transit Project.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFNTs1q_aaWtZN3_MwR5YvqBnMOPH-VSmGGZkbuUXKdk6B9Qxtp7_GWcnbYe6G8v7Vh5_dGZiNuIovslLo2PNvOS2964skmnzbY2bNiipvSpQw86-tPmXY8jFE0cQHahCOORdwZLKFVQ4/s589/Screenshot+2021-10-23+135222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="589" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFNTs1q_aaWtZN3_MwR5YvqBnMOPH-VSmGGZkbuUXKdk6B9Qxtp7_GWcnbYe6G8v7Vh5_dGZiNuIovslLo2PNvOS2964skmnzbY2bNiipvSpQw86-tPmXY8jFE0cQHahCOORdwZLKFVQ4/w400-h395/Screenshot+2021-10-23+135222.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Valley NIMBYs have won again. The biggest loser with this decision are the stakeholders for California State University, Northridge (CSUN) who were hoping to get a mass transit line to serve the campus.<br /><br />While I did not attend CSUN myself, I certainly value that it is a diverse university with 38,500 students that adds 1.9 billion into our local economy annually. From an equity standpoint, CSUN deserves as much to have access to a mass transit line as UCLA and USC. And, quite frankly, the alternate promise of a local bus every ten minutes just doesn't cut it. But I like like to be in the solution. So what can we do for CSUN instead?</p><p><br />Here is a Metro map of the San Fernando Valley prior to the implementation of the NextGen service plan ended nearly all of the Rapid buses.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSB2EjxIlS_jkIGG6GdXX_moS4kOTCUOOAx4tnnWp6OcfZbSdb-2t_uiIAaD0fQLrNebrRvmTt6VVogq4Ay2ls9qmdka8bGt_Zs3U92iqIfSCe0IDzb2xt4kKlJIPWkp42XgDv50XV_Kg/s853/San+Fernando+Valley+Zoom+In.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="853" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSB2EjxIlS_jkIGG6GdXX_moS4kOTCUOOAx4tnnWp6OcfZbSdb-2t_uiIAaD0fQLrNebrRvmTt6VVogq4Ay2ls9qmdka8bGt_Zs3U92iqIfSCe0IDzb2xt4kKlJIPWkp42XgDv50XV_Kg/w400-h278/San+Fernando+Valley+Zoom+In.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>As you can see, CSUN was served by a Rapid bus on Reseda Blvd. Therefore, easiest and cheapest alternative to serve CSUN now that the North San Fernando Valley Bus Rapid Transit project appears doomed would be to put bus lanes on Reseda from the G ("orange") Line. There could be G1 buses running between North Hollywood and Chatsworth, and added G2 buses running between North Hollywood and CSUN.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-KxundQF9Nuu8VFxFwev3aBo_h33aXfjYlJBMNRu4F1O0Sp5M8GtGF9Mh7P1EmA26FMrg_nb5ofBgaUwesJMS2YzpD2vYR27ko79XokV26IDY0he4qx0kDTC3xfc89mAWxfCkvZ82TUo/s657/SFV+%252B+G2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="657" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-KxundQF9Nuu8VFxFwev3aBo_h33aXfjYlJBMNRu4F1O0Sp5M8GtGF9Mh7P1EmA26FMrg_nb5ofBgaUwesJMS2YzpD2vYR27ko79XokV26IDY0he4qx0kDTC3xfc89mAWxfCkvZ82TUo/w400-h274/SFV+%252B+G2.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>A future extension of this could have bus lanes running on Reseda all the way to Ventura, and then over to Universal City Station. <i> (For some reason, Ventura Blvd. always gets left out of these discussions when it is one of the prime destinations and transit corridors in the Valley). </i> This way, when the G1 line is inevitably upgraded to light-rail, the G2 can keep running as a BRT.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWMLsakW4CISfK0VJOgamYJ7ZLxJOySVNUwF-iNOoUtHXt41sHFcIwJ0jL-12DocpbLNZaFWMUteignoND9EyAp4X2OJtv9hexmcgXM7JEmjOTpe8KJ1SnCMSJCg88JXecT6Z218vr8D5/s853/San+Fernando+Valley+with+G1+%2526+G2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="853" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJWMLsakW4CISfK0VJOgamYJ7ZLxJOySVNUwF-iNOoUtHXt41sHFcIwJ0jL-12DocpbLNZaFWMUteignoND9EyAp4X2OJtv9hexmcgXM7JEmjOTpe8KJ1SnCMSJCg88JXecT6Z218vr8D5/w400-h278/San+Fernando+Valley+with+G1+%2526+G2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is one other mass transit approach that needs to be re-considered: <a href="https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-adv-track-project-20151128-story.html" target="_blank">Double-tracking Metrolink/Amtrak between Chatsworth and VanNuys</a>. Coming Amtrak/Metrolink improvements and <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/link-us/" target="_blank">run-through service at Union Station</a> will increase rail demand and possibilities in the area as commuter rail turns into regional rail. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7mriEwy7hpa1b0YQpu_ck9-COg9AVaWbzf494SCsSlnAWRZ0tA78_FPJ0u6IRQc2otkk1i_ElKMbpNW7pnEI17uvJ4usDSv70W-g3xiQ5O3W5sR1TgbzvHkB8B40Oi4bg7RPq7bJAKri/s880/recorrido-1165701.880x300_airthz8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="880" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7mriEwy7hpa1b0YQpu_ck9-COg9AVaWbzf494SCsSlnAWRZ0tA78_FPJ0u6IRQc2otkk1i_ElKMbpNW7pnEI17uvJ4usDSv70W-g3xiQ5O3W5sR1TgbzvHkB8B40Oi4bg7RPq7bJAKri/w400-h136/recorrido-1165701.880x300_airthz8.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We need to take another attempt at double-tracking this rail corridor. Whether than means improving the design for it, or building a bigger coalition, we need to do it. The future regional transportation needs here are too important to just give up entirely. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As part of this double-tracking, the <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/northridge-metrolink-station-northridge-2">Northridge Station</a> can be reconfigured to be friendlier to CSUN, although there is a <a href="https://www.csun.edu/parking/commute-metrolink-train">free shuttle</a> now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmX1YSrMVXhyphenhyphen2ViTc49lTntrjCC1sD0JyJt4eLf5I77w-378GMsvyedB2gjEpOYHYN5OBwzRgb5Q8sjiUsydtA9-fuu-koAgWZmTSgnX276f2t9TnT701ofUMn2TXEr8rOvoFAP_bQUdS/s640/20150117_071731+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmX1YSrMVXhyphenhyphen2ViTc49lTntrjCC1sD0JyJt4eLf5I77w-378GMsvyedB2gjEpOYHYN5OBwzRgb5Q8sjiUsydtA9-fuu-koAgWZmTSgnX276f2t9TnT701ofUMn2TXEr8rOvoFAP_bQUdS/w400-h225/20150117_071731+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What do you think? How would you best serve CSUN with mass transit?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-70786214822099271342021-07-07T16:26:00.007-07:002021-07-07T16:32:49.768-07:00"I want to make Metro the first choice in transportation that people think about" - Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins<p>At Metro's State of the Agency presentation, <a href="https://thesource.metro.net/2021/04/08/metro-board-approves-metrolink-ceo-stephanie-wiggins-as-next-ceo-of-la-metro/" target="_blank">new CEO Stephanie Wiggins</a> uttered some powerful words that gave me goosebumps.:<br /><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">"<b>I want to make Metro the first choice in transportation that people think about.</b> <b>In great cities around the world: London, Paris, New York, D.C., taking mass transit is normal and expected. In those cities, it's just what people do. In those cities, public transportation is their obvious choice. I want Angelenos to think that way."</b></p></blockquote><p><br />This is a bold and powerful statement. It's the vision of Los Angeles public transportation that I have always had -- where it is not seen as merely "welfare mobility for the poor who would surely buy cars if they could", but as a viable, primary, and environmentally sustainable means of transporting oneself everywhere one needs to go. I want the mobility experience I had living in New York and London, right here in Southern California. I don't expect everyone to make that choice, of course. However, it should be an option that is thought of as "normal" and "reasonable" for a world class metropolitan County like Los Angeles.</p><p><br />More power to her. She has my full support. <br /><br />Wiggins also mentions the importance of equity and compassion, and that law enforcement will not the first resort in dealing with homelessness.<br /><br />I really appreciated her honest admission that the rollout of NextGen last week could have been better,: <i>"We have learned some tough lessons over the last week." </i> She promised more accountability, transparency, and clearer communications about fare collection and the NextGen rollout.<br /><br />Also speaking on the program was incoming Metro Chair, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis. <br /><br />I encourage you to <a href="https://fb.watch/v/3qGw9_XF5/" target="_blank">watch the whole program</a>. Wiggins begins her remarks at minute 34:</p><p><br /></p>Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-20047244979359701442021-06-30T10:51:00.010-07:002021-06-30T15:28:22.345-07:00How Metro Can Do Better Next Time<p>This is not a bash Metro post. I believe in Metro's mission, want Metro to succeed, and for Los Angeles County to have a world class transit system on the level of New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo.<br /><br />But let's be honest. Metro's rollout of its Service Changes on June 27, 2021, and its NextGen Service plan, was poorly executed. Metro's new CEO Stephanie Wiggins admitted as much in <a href="https://thesource.metro.net/2021/06/29/a-note-from-metro-ceo-stephanie-wiggins-on-fares-enforcement-and-service-changes/" target="_blank">a note on fares, enforcement, and service changes</a>. It is welcome to see Metro publicly acknowledge there was a problem.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-06-05/la-public-transit-fan-preaches-trains-buses-over-cars" target="_blank">Kenny Uong</a>, who is quickly making a name for himself in Southern California for his transit advocacy and enthusiasm blogged on <a href="https://twitter.com/_KennyUong_" target="_blank">Twitter</a> his experience seeing <a href="https://twitter.com/awalkerinLA/status/1409944738975813633?s=20" target="_blank">confused riders</a> all over the system, who had no idea that the service changes were happening or what they were, and bus stops still having old signage. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZj1Fev3o6nMnGgisqo8NfbnOpGw9olhSopBbADsK6NOo78NAgStefDI-ZrpEpxMHdsX9lIOmIQBIpbw2osyfioZ8J7NQST77UnSqZcDDrmVi_PkeDeB1JzMrWDJQu2CsLwhCMjLzgJ_NT/s615/Screenshot+2021-06-30+103616.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="586" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZj1Fev3o6nMnGgisqo8NfbnOpGw9olhSopBbADsK6NOo78NAgStefDI-ZrpEpxMHdsX9lIOmIQBIpbw2osyfioZ8J7NQST77UnSqZcDDrmVi_PkeDeB1JzMrWDJQu2CsLwhCMjLzgJ_NT/w381-h400/Screenshot+2021-06-30+103616.png" width="381" /></a></div><br /><p>As of writing this post, Metro still had old bus service maps from 2017-18 on its website, which is certainly not helpful for anyone trying to figure out how to navigate the current system today. Not everyone riding Metro has a smart phone or can easily use an app like Transit or Google Maps. <br /><br />Metro had also issued a confusing "TAP where you can" statement, with bus operators quoting fares that riders were unprepared for paying. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkU_PJEaeqFYizrs-KI-ZPDXDeEya6T_rOe7xoWxb7QxZ67kqmtDo3c_vB0tygzB_pNcpd86_ewSI6RxkQSVMcGZFfWVrqWgF64Vw3HP7BRoUMj__SrNCwhTYuxtxwJx5qB44tCKP6WOA_/s525/Screenshot+2021-06-30+102229.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="525" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkU_PJEaeqFYizrs-KI-ZPDXDeEya6T_rOe7xoWxb7QxZ67kqmtDo3c_vB0tygzB_pNcpd86_ewSI6RxkQSVMcGZFfWVrqWgF64Vw3HP7BRoUMj__SrNCwhTYuxtxwJx5qB44tCKP6WOA_/w400-h99/Screenshot+2021-06-30+102229.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />Fortunately, Metro provided clarity today.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTndEZqHbwXhyphenhyphennjyV5xHCtKCAOTVtn4nAjtU3o6lyTBXpu5TlgWVRGXnmPVD4RorZRLf6AtwjGZvMJt1rF_EfiOXkVnqRXkKrYql4SIEhbmBhbyUJ6jf1lt2vqzZ5gXueL2XCyUj5hLqM6/s580/Screenshot+2021-06-30+111505.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="580" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTndEZqHbwXhyphenhyphennjyV5xHCtKCAOTVtn4nAjtU3o6lyTBXpu5TlgWVRGXnmPVD4RorZRLf6AtwjGZvMJt1rF_EfiOXkVnqRXkKrYql4SIEhbmBhbyUJ6jf1lt2vqzZ5gXueL2XCyUj5hLqM6/w400-h139/Screenshot+2021-06-30+111505.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>What we should have been doing this week is celebrating Metro's more frequent service on certain lines and the rollout of the new <a href="https://twitter.com/metrolosangeles/status/1409557020450164736?s=20" target="_blank">bus lanes on Alvarado</a>. Unfortunately, this was all overshadowed for many riders, especially for those who depend on transit as their primary source of mobility. <br /><br />However, this can be a learning opportunity. Here is how Metro can do better when rolling out service and fare changes in the future:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>New systemwide maps should have been designed and publicly released prior to enacting service changes</b>. People need to see how the system works as a whole. <b>More frequent service should be colored differently than less frequent service. Create an "owl service" map too. </b> San Francisco MUNI <b>posts current service maps at all of its bus shelters</b>. Why can't Metro do this as well? (This is also free publicity as pedestrians walk past the maps and can see all of the places that the bus system goes.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzKInRNzrnWAaivYmf51yyqxARwkhVPhnF6N3tHNqGEISzUKyq5wusQdcgzbFMOg64cnkjV7-gBxJly_r3FbcWQtwXnIRABIZZxLTAWKYTzUJkMAdjCqzXTovlYj2meEdIS12ocyaJUi-/s1600/MUNI+bus+shelter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzKInRNzrnWAaivYmf51yyqxARwkhVPhnF6N3tHNqGEISzUKyq5wusQdcgzbFMOg64cnkjV7-gBxJly_r3FbcWQtwXnIRABIZZxLTAWKYTzUJkMAdjCqzXTovlYj2meEdIS12ocyaJUi-/w320-h240/MUNI+bus+shelter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></li><li><b>Bus stop signage should be changed prior to enacting service changes</b>, with flyers warning about the start date at all affected bus stops. As <a href="https://twitter.com/awalkerinLA/status/1409944738975813633?s=20" target="_blank">Alissa Walker</a> tweeted, <i>"If this was a freeway the signage would have been replaced overnight."</i><br /><br /></li><li><b>Metro needs clarity on fares and to issue advance notice of fare changes</b>. Either we have them or we don't. Metro can opt not to enforce fare collection, but be clear about the policy. As Metro buses can broadcast messages like, "Service changes begin ______", or "Masks are required", or "Go Dodgers!", <b>buses could also broadcast messages like "Fares to resume on ______"</b>.<br />Also, for convenience, TAP readers should be posted on the <i>left </i>of the front entrance of every bus to speed the boarding process for everyone.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYsKh10OddYlGLabkwfuBoAwQJ658q0XOz5keNNHnJ-CQmuuApn_kDValDnzNe22NXbhY-IOm83fi7j_66JKjFm1qEc_MzINbTxntbpE-JAtlI6D1QxS7NyJKRCupMprmec_8JPjrDiP7/s380/tap-service.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="380" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYsKh10OddYlGLabkwfuBoAwQJ658q0XOz5keNNHnJ-CQmuuApn_kDValDnzNe22NXbhY-IOm83fi7j_66JKjFm1qEc_MzINbTxntbpE-JAtlI6D1QxS7NyJKRCupMprmec_8JPjrDiP7/w320-h202/tap-service.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></li></ul><p></p><p>In short, <b>have everything in place for the ridership BEFORE enacting service changes or fare increases</b>.<br /><br />It is truly wonderful that Metro is expanding rail service throughout the County which has my full support. Now let's also give its bus system the upgrade its ridership deserves, like transit lanes on all major corridors. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpastVK3ObGShXH_WsA10feMHQ3v8uC1QLzfuO8Jbn2CL9b04C3zFVtHP4JI7Y5GtknufqRKdUu44_nwVwwHuipabeYrt7DtpQVK4TI2kq1mE67T3xdQvOIzfEDQOEOEnJIeH8s4nA3glg/s1090/Screenshot+2021-06-30+110127.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="1090" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpastVK3ObGShXH_WsA10feMHQ3v8uC1QLzfuO8Jbn2CL9b04C3zFVtHP4JI7Y5GtknufqRKdUu44_nwVwwHuipabeYrt7DtpQVK4TI2kq1mE67T3xdQvOIzfEDQOEOEnJIeH8s4nA3glg/w400-h275/Screenshot+2021-06-30+110127.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-68219956951030245722021-05-28T13:28:00.014-07:002021-05-31T12:25:54.785-07:00Another Way to Provide Bus Rapid Transit to Cal State Northridge<p>Metro Los Angeles is currently studying a bus rapid transit <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/north-sfv-brt/" target="_blank">(BRT) line for the North San Fernando Valley</a>. Here is what the current alternatives look like.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdC3m0xNevqSRQJ48W6DPeo1-zsT-u5WiFQLeFzefB9OM25hZ5_fNmigblQs03viC-4e7zpBxCqmI-_2GgLRZPHOFbHhu59k0obSi6UDvWxT1LRRI8Co7dfPcVzvgRNuQnjrp259gTPFdX/s1471/North+San+Fernando+Valley+Transit+Corridor+alternative+analysis.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1471" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdC3m0xNevqSRQJ48W6DPeo1-zsT-u5WiFQLeFzefB9OM25hZ5_fNmigblQs03viC-4e7zpBxCqmI-_2GgLRZPHOFbHhu59k0obSi6UDvWxT1LRRI8Co7dfPcVzvgRNuQnjrp259gTPFdX/w400-h205/North+San+Fernando+Valley+Transit+Corridor+alternative+analysis.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, all is not well with this project. Acccording to <a href="https://twitter.com/numble" target="_blank">Numble</a> on Twitter, Metro is considering caving into NIMBYs on this project.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jb-660erqsuVRcuyog3YDGWQ7KJcc5Gb2ne9wdElmaVsoKiowJxLm0z5WV1wfLm_74rQUClRK7AW-zVUZ8ADL5jTTQksZVWCd8ExQl_ZImHpUXBKI9tS_U13dPLQOmwmtUK2MWGZeCBd/s960/189381460_10157800890645870_7192666446245977504_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="888" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jb-660erqsuVRcuyog3YDGWQ7KJcc5Gb2ne9wdElmaVsoKiowJxLm0z5WV1wfLm_74rQUClRK7AW-zVUZ8ADL5jTTQksZVWCd8ExQl_ZImHpUXBKI9tS_U13dPLQOmwmtUK2MWGZeCBd/s320/189381460_10157800890645870_7192666446245977504_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This would be disastrous for transit riders in this area. In particular, this would leave <a href="https://www.csun.edu/" target="_blank">California State University, Northridge (CSUN)</a> out of our growing mass transit system. If this terrible-case scenario occurs, I've been thinking about how else to serve CSUN.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One idea that has long been discussed is to have branch services from the "Orange" Line (now the "G" Line) on other busy north-south corridors in the San Fernando Valley. One of these proposed busy corridors is Reseda Blvd. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My proposal would be to have a branch service of the G-Line going north-south on Reseda, east-west on Nordhoff, and CSUN along White Oak as seen below. We'd have G1 service between North Hollywood Metrorail station and Chatsworth Metrolink/Amtrak Station, and G2 service between North Hollywood Metrorail station and CSUN.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtltyM0n5UTWt3IiWp3Vyf7HntqonbHSFJpjJ8Kz4MFTTzCoCz7dEoko6p1_65r8ydV7K7Ee5zLHrO_9t2lBMZgkk8vTFA4wSXrepthw6nKDgHB7Avc7amTfpT6VH0D7CXyMcwFqiGSrG/s657/SFV+%252B+G2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="657" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtltyM0n5UTWt3IiWp3Vyf7HntqonbHSFJpjJ8Kz4MFTTzCoCz7dEoko6p1_65r8ydV7K7Ee5zLHrO_9t2lBMZgkk8vTFA4wSXrepthw6nKDgHB7Avc7amTfpT6VH0D7CXyMcwFqiGSrG/w400-h274/SFV+%252B+G2.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But we can see from this map even though we would still serve CSUN, what a large east-west gap in mass transit we are leaving out of our system in the North San Fernando Valley. I really hope NIMBYs do not prevail here. We need BOTH the proposed North San Fernando Valley BRT and a Reseda Blvd. BRT.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19GWl1_Ygwk7TKpgV8uRFOYu0qFnmy76n5vqV7y5iZgOYNswjY4aaTGBJjDurFSN2OfqAEeuvezBpsEnE5xeMlPdFnAhMOLu1Xg0h_abx0L_skPLFYgi7bPZFVEM5QtfXizh-cxt8v1LJ/s1471/NSFV+with+G2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1471" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19GWl1_Ygwk7TKpgV8uRFOYu0qFnmy76n5vqV7y5iZgOYNswjY4aaTGBJjDurFSN2OfqAEeuvezBpsEnE5xeMlPdFnAhMOLu1Xg0h_abx0L_skPLFYgi7bPZFVEM5QtfXizh-cxt8v1LJ/w400-h205/NSFV+with+G2.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also, coming to the San Fernando Valley will be a <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/sepulvedacorridor/" target="_blank">"Sepulveda" Line</a> (hopefully as heavy rail and not monorail) between the Valley and the Westside, as well as a planned <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/noho-pasadena-corridor/" target="_blank">BRT route connecting North Hollywood to Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A note for the future. Eventually, the G-Line may be upgraded to light-rail. A further enhancement I would support for this new Reseda Blvd. BRT is to run it between Universal City station and CSUN via Ventura Blvd. Somehow Ventura Blvd. keeps getting left out of our San Fernando Valley mass transit conversation, when we should already be installing bus lanes on it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xTQL_9R7khxXjdP0riod1IVGDk21SJUDM20adIXx_s6e_Pwn6GcAHfYojzfzR3lHlWRTIK66NiDXqJC1zSKgy-B0aveDsRK_wHAKRju6Z-fSjaVvjKkn0ZRYKqBEh6twEmBbOlIeaO5J/s1471/NSFV+BRT+with+Ventura-Reseda+BRT.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1471" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xTQL_9R7khxXjdP0riod1IVGDk21SJUDM20adIXx_s6e_Pwn6GcAHfYojzfzR3lHlWRTIK66NiDXqJC1zSKgy-B0aveDsRK_wHAKRju6Z-fSjaVvjKkn0ZRYKqBEh6twEmBbOlIeaO5J/w400-h205/NSFV+BRT+with+Ventura-Reseda+BRT.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, of course, we should be doubletracking and upgrading the Metrolink/Amtrak rail corridors as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What do you think?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-27712819185994107932021-05-27T14:47:00.007-07:002021-05-28T14:11:22.015-07:00The Next Steps Toward Universal Health Care in America<p>Much was discussed about health care in this past election, but with narrow Congressional majorities coming in 2021, it remains to be seen what will actually change federally. The <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/about-the-aca/index.html">Affordable Care Act</a> ("ACA") was meant to be a first important step in health care reform -- a step to be built upon over time until we achieve universal access to health care. <br /><br /></p><p>If the whole topic of health insurance and health care is a mystery to you, I highly recommend watching Knowing Better's excellent and entertaining video explaining America's health care system, <a href="https://youtu.be/44mvkMqrW4U">Healthcare | The Complete Moderate's Guide</a>. He will clearly explain premiums, deductibles, co-pays, Medicare, Medicaid, and the V.A. System.<br /><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/44mvkMqrW4U" width="320" youtube-src-id="44mvkMqrW4U"></iframe></div><p><br />I am going to assume from this point forward that you know what a premium is, what a deductible is, and what a co-pay is. If you don't, then please watch the above video.</p><p><br />New York Times columnist and Nobel Prize Winner <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/column/paul-krugman" target="_blank">Paul Krugman</a> has written about universal health care as requiring three basic components:</p><p></p><ol><li><b>Everybody In </b>(either through taxation or a mandate to buy comprehensive health insurance);</li><li><b>Nobody left out</b> (no one can be denied health care or coverage due to pre-existing medical conditions or medical history);</li><li><b>Government Subsidies</b> (to help make health care accessible to all.)</li></ol><p></p><p><br />The <a href="https://youtu.be/yN-MkRcOJjY" target="_blank">United States</a> could learn a lot from what is already working around the world. Universal health care is provided and financed by a variety of methods around the globe, some of which Healthcare Triage has done brief video descriptions:</p><p></p><ul><li>In <a href="https://youtu.be/aMG1D4Z-4oY" target="_blank">Switzerland</a>, people are required to buy private health insurance on tightly regulated markets -- much more regulated than the ACA is currently. People buy voluntary supplementary insurance to cover co-pays.<br /> </li><li>The world's top rated system is in <a href="https://youtu.be/_yF69KVbUaQ" target="_blank">France</a>, Everyone must pay for mandatory health insurance. Voluntary health insurance provides supplemental policies. Providers are both public and private. Co-pays are lower in France and quality is high.<br /><br /></li><li>It wouldn't take much for the ACA to evolve into a system similar to <a href="https://youtu.be/NdarqEbDeV0" target="_blank">Germany</a>'s. Health insurance is mandatory, tightly-regulated, and non-profit. Long-term care insurance is mandatory too. Hospitals are both public and private.<br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/ylsO0VVy29U" target="_blank">Australia</a>'s public "Medicare" system operates alongside a private system. About half the people have private insurance.<br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/WtuXrrEZsAg" target="_blank">Singapore</a> has an interesting model. Great outcomes with low percentage of GDP spent on healthcare. Singapore has a mixture of public and private health care spending and public and private health care delivery systems. There are also five tiers of service you can pay for. What makes it unique is its reliance on mandatory Health Savings Accounts. Workers are required to put aside 20% of their income into savings for various usages, including for health care expenses such as insurance. There is also an additional inexpensive catastrophic illness program that 90% of the population participates in.<br /><br /></li><li>In <a href="https://youtu.be/1TPr3h-UDA0" target="_blank">Canada</a> they have "single-payer health care" which they call "Medicare", which is similar to our Medicare program for senior citizens. Interestingly, single-payer started in one Canadian province and spread nationwide province by province. If the Federal government gave statutory permission for states to use Federal Medicaid money to help create single-payer systems in their states the same thing <i>could</i> happen here.<br /><br /></li><li>In the <a href="https://youtu.be/qMNuxPByEW0" target="_blank">United Kingdom</a>, taxpayers pay for a publicly-owned and operated health care system that directly provides service through the National Heath Service. The closest equivalent to this in America is our Veterans Affairs system.<br /><br /></li><li><a href="https://youtu.be/MCDiFIyW0tQ" target="_blank">Taiwan</a> has proven that you make a major leap from a system of private insurance to a single-payer model in one swoop. </li></ul><div><br />President-Elect Biden ran on a platform with <a href="https://joebiden.com/healthcare/" target="_blank">a credible health care plan</a> that included adding a robust public health insurance option open to everyone, as well as overcoming red-state, holdout resistance to the ACA's Medicaid expansion, and strengthening Medicare.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately for my fellow progressives, a direct Taiwan-esqe leap from what we have now to Medicare-for-All is likely not on the cards. It couldn't pass the Senate. Even getting any kind of federal public option or Medicare-Buy-In through a narrowly divided Senate with a legislative filibuster will be extremely tough.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a backup plan, I would encourage Congress to pass a law that gives states statutory ability to use their Medicaid funding to establish public options open to all and/or single-payer systems within their states. A few blue states could start a nationwide trend similar to <a href="https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/the-birth-of-medicare" target="_blank">what happened in Canada</a> in how their "Medicare-for-all" system started in one province and went national.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the ways I would improve the existing ACA is to add adult dental, vision, and hearing benefits to the available plans for purchase on the exchanges. Currently, those benefits are available those benefits are available to children on ACA "Bronze", "Silver", "Gold", and "Platinum" plans. Let's add "Diamond- level plans which also include adult dental, vision, and hearing benefits too. Yes, people could go purchase those benefits separately if they want them, but we want to make peoples' lives simpler and easier, not more complicated. One-stop shopping would be helpful and worth it to many people.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are also public option proposals currently floating in Congress, including ones that would call for a <a href="https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2021/2/bennet-kaine-announce-introduction-of-medicare-x-choice-act-to-achieve-universal-health-care">Medicare-administered public health insurance option</a>. One would hope that Democrats would use the Senate filibuster-bypassing, budget-reconciliation process to make it happen.</div><div><br /></div><div>Social Security and Medicare were first established as limited programs and then gradually built upon over time into the universal programs as we know them today. Let's keep moving forward in health care until we have universal access to insurance and care. Let's not get stuck though on assuming that only one specific model of universal health care is acceptable. The world offers us lots of examples of he we could move forward, and all of them are an improvement. If we remain flexible in approach, we will get there sooner rather than later. The ACA offers federal and state flexibility to compromise and do just that if we will allow it.</div><div><br /></div>Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-30048088507395341692021-05-27T14:45:00.006-07:002021-05-28T14:10:20.001-07:00Link the coming Sunset and La Cienega Bus Rapid Transit Corridors<p> Here is a Metro Los Angeles map of potential transit corridors for possible upgrade to Bus Rapid Transit. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHPK1cBG_5IvUwEGX31tj0-JzF2TkqqlXSa7dKx7uRVVmyZTWbmBDxtgNrBrF43K8CUASW3KV2n6FIerELgE4ZTwLEnjyPfmypTG6uDAvpqmQLRq4zho8N6VAjiFilcxowULmdyo3Hqrk/s950/Potential+BRT+map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="950" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHPK1cBG_5IvUwEGX31tj0-JzF2TkqqlXSa7dKx7uRVVmyZTWbmBDxtgNrBrF43K8CUASW3KV2n6FIerELgE4ZTwLEnjyPfmypTG6uDAvpqmQLRq4zho8N6VAjiFilcxowULmdyo3Hqrk/w457-h329/Potential+BRT+map.jpg" width="457" /></a><br /><br /></div><p>Metro recently released it's <a href="https://boardagendas.metro.net/board-report/2020-0595/" target="_blank">top five priorities</a> for Bus Rapid Transit corridors.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96rasm_ivdli9CnX9tTLIBH7JGlWAkDnwHPA7WVk7XMK2PiBrGZTIa_hMjaisYt1H4R6RfkYBxGtcadifLTrs1kesmbm65D97o5T5v1sIfGd9RW73-F1qDQeYxPFDBOYFINfX4yeMrUim/s901/Top+5+Potential+BRT+map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="901" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96rasm_ivdli9CnX9tTLIBH7JGlWAkDnwHPA7WVk7XMK2PiBrGZTIa_hMjaisYt1H4R6RfkYBxGtcadifLTrs1kesmbm65D97o5T5v1sIfGd9RW73-F1qDQeYxPFDBOYFINfX4yeMrUim/w459-h279/Top+5+Potential+BRT+map.jpg" width="459" /></a><br /><br /></div><p>The La Cienega BRT Line would run from Slauson to Santa Monica Blvd. Why not link this BRT Line to the new proposed Sunset - Cesar Chavez BRT Line via Santa Monica Blvd. and/or Sunset Blvd.?<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eFC3yFx1f3cyeynN4i6QJtFO-XcW1DJjQcx6bXtbZS5icQ-RbQH3sR556vi2zuGwCscWMoB4nhmd7qSYg_uNwMbYp8nl2VUzSz3M9vuEatvv_xO2HmnX_A-Py1ZU7YChuZr8WMHpyGiU/s901/Top+BRT+with+SMB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="901" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eFC3yFx1f3cyeynN4i6QJtFO-XcW1DJjQcx6bXtbZS5icQ-RbQH3sR556vi2zuGwCscWMoB4nhmd7qSYg_uNwMbYp8nl2VUzSz3M9vuEatvv_xO2HmnX_A-Py1ZU7YChuZr8WMHpyGiU/w469-h286/Top+BRT+with+SMB.jpg" width="469" /></a><br /><br /></div><p>That map may off on scale, but a BRT Line between the ocean - Venice - La Cienega - San Vicente - Santa Monica - Sunset - Cesar Chavez - Union Station sounds pretty cool, doesn't it? Actually that alignment works really well as a streetcar/tram too.<br /><br /></p><p><i>(As a side note, La Brea is also targeted for future BRT. Well, if La Brea is already getting BRT, then surely the <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/crenshaw-northern-extension/">Crenshaw Metrorail Northern Extension</a> project should flow at least as westerly as Fairfax. La Brea doesn't need both, especially when we compare a potential stop to serve The Grove / Television City at Beverly & Fairfax, versus the two gas stations and a car rental at Beverly & La Brea.)</i></p><p><br /></p>Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-43531115613631430922020-08-04T10:43:00.001-07:002020-08-04T10:48:03.639-07:00Revitalizing West Hollywood After the PandemicI've been doing a lot of walking around West Hollywood to get my 10,000 steps in daily and I am distressed by the number of closed and vacant storefronts I see on my routes. Not just stores, but bars and other entertainment venues are shutting down. This is causing great concern among people who love this city.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwmm9reN8YEqdiWfHXX7vzozUs-ndJNJvMirBTTVKAGmdIGbIxV4Pu7AXzfrRVUAEA8mHsx1EmAEyJJ-lIXIMp-9dcESjnMU6CzyARWZKeSV1uEJVkq3mukQd4Pnylg4-cQcazhyphenhyphenVsGkm/s526/Gym+Bar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwmm9reN8YEqdiWfHXX7vzozUs-ndJNJvMirBTTVKAGmdIGbIxV4Pu7AXzfrRVUAEA8mHsx1EmAEyJJ-lIXIMp-9dcESjnMU6CzyARWZKeSV1uEJVkq3mukQd4Pnylg4-cQcazhyphenhyphenVsGkm/w421-h421/Gym+Bar.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC16-3sCl-AYNky6Jq9I77kxKiBtPCa5BjVjJ_3_3xDqQ5HLaDwjQtV_0uMg_jQ9l5DJ7dIHucn6rE7Vlb8L4GdTXYNCcj4buUTRZ4jgB56rbDS_zGXyjYbjqU5ZStwnNZ0Z3et37CFPS/s526/And+the+Band+Played+On+at+Mickys.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC16-3sCl-AYNky6Jq9I77kxKiBtPCa5BjVjJ_3_3xDqQ5HLaDwjQtV_0uMg_jQ9l5DJ7dIHucn6rE7Vlb8L4GdTXYNCcj4buUTRZ4jgB56rbDS_zGXyjYbjqU5ZStwnNZ0Z3et37CFPS/w421-h421/And+the+Band+Played+On+at+Mickys.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><div><br /><div>"<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Band-Played-Politics-Epidemic-20th-Anniversary/dp/0312374631">And the Band Played On</a>" in the Micky's photo s an ominous reference to the last pandemic which is not over, by the way. HIV/AIDS is still a thing. (Please check out Randy Shilt's amazing book and the Emmy-winning TV movie if you have never read or seen either.)</div><div><br /></div><div>When this new pandemic hit it was unknown if we were going to be able to bounceback rapidly from shutting down as we hoped. It is now clear that this is not the case. Much of this has been beyond the City of West Hollywood's control. We have a incompetent and corrupt President who treated Coronavirus like a "hoax" and failed to take the necessary actions to control the virus, which meant the economy could not recover quickly. Re-opening a country too soon that did not shut down properly, not only did not spur the economy, it spurred the virus. We also have a giant chunk of seemingly delusional people who treat COVID-19 as if it were simply overblown media hype or think that mask-wearing and social distancing shouldn't apply to them because they are special or infringes on their "freedumb" to infect other people.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, lacking the leadership and social solidarity of countries like New Zealand, South Korea, Germany, and Japan, America is in for a long slog where over 200,000 will likely perish from COVID-19 by November and the American economy continues its spiral into its worst downturn since the Great Depression.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzG8sWXsZvr8VSkkZlZGI9aipJ0kJJXblT1_3JVfw0LM1O9K0DEDH-4-xpVaedWSXD1IF-KrWn6eF8l5cqDYbV6S8PPu6YkcaCkvEpzSKSNsyv8xT0New9MT6u9XkLNFN2Qvzu2sSChLJ8/s886/Richard+Lionheart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="886" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzG8sWXsZvr8VSkkZlZGI9aipJ0kJJXblT1_3JVfw0LM1O9K0DEDH-4-xpVaedWSXD1IF-KrWn6eF8l5cqDYbV6S8PPu6YkcaCkvEpzSKSNsyv8xT0New9MT6u9XkLNFN2Qvzu2sSChLJ8/w512-h211/Richard+Lionheart.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Many people who live in or love West Hollywood are asking themselves, 'What kind of city will we come back to when we finally emerge out of this pandemic and the resulting economic catastrophe?" In particular, there is concern that West Hollywood's two great entertainment zones, the Rainbow District and the Sunset Trip, will lose their unique characters and become generic and no longer representative of their respective histories. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some businesses are making the best of this situation.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Block Party WeHo, it is "Pride All Year Long", and they have begun setting up shop outdoors.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LMFgU6sH6h9TrG2CqrKAwxkd1T_cMx_LxNoKN-69Zw_hVpCtSWax9ad3yD4vmEaQB6dTJRrSVrUdsdE8vP95arWfm8PNptLBYAdDsjYFk5oPKjIkHb2goLB1SaJtlVgHM2flj5F0-3Rj/s526/Block+Party+WeHo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LMFgU6sH6h9TrG2CqrKAwxkd1T_cMx_LxNoKN-69Zw_hVpCtSWax9ad3yD4vmEaQB6dTJRrSVrUdsdE8vP95arWfm8PNptLBYAdDsjYFk5oPKjIkHb2goLB1SaJtlVgHM2flj5F0-3Rj/w421-h421/Block+Party+WeHo.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Even Yogurt Stop is getting into the act. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG5QrqM-JEH0KFJ7t9ubzEKJ5gEkNpB7MlDPJ78CVL6Ziv6OxjdyRU66DVGqolMhvFWJ_rrChZIL5Smo8RMHQX6gKNNLT46WBpPA4K_eAX_F48O_ahM5ObL0SFRxTInK4520ZxmY1hgNZ/s526/Yogurt+Shop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG5QrqM-JEH0KFJ7t9ubzEKJ5gEkNpB7MlDPJ78CVL6Ziv6OxjdyRU66DVGqolMhvFWJ_rrChZIL5Smo8RMHQX6gKNNLT46WBpPA4K_eAX_F48O_ahM5ObL0SFRxTInK4520ZxmY1hgNZ/w421-h421/Yogurt+Shop.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I am all for this adaptation. Hopefully, businesses like these will be able to survive and that indoor shopping will return before the rain starts.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many restaurants who are lucky enough to have outside seating are able to use that to serve customers. Some which have not had outside seating before have converted parking lots seating. Hamburger Mary's has recreated its fun atmosphere outside. It was fun enjoying the music at atmosphere. Hey, I'm open to drag bingo outdoors at night.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflWyXHXxhkrtBsPpMlihxZHQNINj-tley5qSocOncPcQmlfI2mXBvAINgH6vui39hP0F5SF-8-ZC34UNVidQIZ9peKUvr5FDbKt4wpu8lD6NX2WY11NtLIfOg_QBDQqxe2fZEnOc7XSNe/s526/Hamburger+Marys+parking.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflWyXHXxhkrtBsPpMlihxZHQNINj-tley5qSocOncPcQmlfI2mXBvAINgH6vui39hP0F5SF-8-ZC34UNVidQIZ9peKUvr5FDbKt4wpu8lD6NX2WY11NtLIfOg_QBDQqxe2fZEnOc7XSNe/w421-h421/Hamburger+Marys+parking.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Sunset Strip has been quiet during the shutdown, but Carney's is still serving a great chili dog.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g-ZE7qvm6DGDSqp4I2cQ-qk9oijxzhgM9KDvzIokla5YKqzK-TNDJ2iJDr4XF_MwxSJ4SsdlALs0V6ELz9CyYWGN-p9BjBqARYAqHi04ghOu-h4mcGRtk0fZHbffhbMkoSg0Q_l7czKO/s526/Carneys.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g-ZE7qvm6DGDSqp4I2cQ-qk9oijxzhgM9KDvzIokla5YKqzK-TNDJ2iJDr4XF_MwxSJ4SsdlALs0V6ELz9CyYWGN-p9BjBqARYAqHi04ghOu-h4mcGRtk0fZHbffhbMkoSg0Q_l7czKO/w421-h421/Carneys.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>However, if it is going to be several months or a couple of years before a vaccine, and even longer before the economy bounces back, what is going to happen to the Rainbow District and Sunset Strip, particularly to its empty storefronts and shuttered nightlife? Will it be generic chains that slap a rainbow flag or guitar sticker on the door that come in and we simply call it a day? What about the small businesses that made this city great? What can the City of West Hollywood do about this?</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, the Federal government has certain powers, our state governments have certain powers, and local governments are given certain powers by our states in our federal system in America. The City of West Hollywood cannot control the overall national economy, nor can we tell a private property or business owner what to do with their asset, but we can try to encourage and influence how we want our entertainment districts to revive with how we design our public spaces and approve planning and permits.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't have all the answers for revitalizing our entertainment districts, nor should any one person determine how this is to happen. But here are my suggestions for moving forward and at least getting the process started:</div><div><br /></div><div>(1) I suggest the City establish an official <b>Rainbow District Task Force</b> and a <b>Sunset Strip Task Force </b>asked to coming up with a series of recommendations and action items on how to economically revitalize while still maintaining the historical character of these two entertainment zones. These Task Forces are not about creating new administrative layers, but about engaging the community. The revitalization of the Sunset Strip and Rainbow District after the pandemic should include input from all its stakeholders. Excite the community by involving the community. An excited community leads to prosperous local businesses too. </div><div><br /></div><div>(2) I suggest expanding the mandate of the Arts & Cultural Affairs Commission to the "<b>Arts, Cultural and Entertainment Affairs Commission"</b> so there is a standing body in the City to review fun, creative public nightlife events for the City to help things along. Perhaps we could allow street buskers on Sunset Strip and drag queens to perform for the public in the Rainbow District, as examples.</div><div><br /></div><div>(3) I suggest the City establish an <b>Affordable Housing Task Force</b> that will be asked to recommend methods of creating more affordable housing for artistic and creative people who are currently priced out of living in West Hollywood. For example, there may be non-traditional types of housing such as loft spaces, communal spaces, converted empty commercial spaces, SRO's, that we designate for people in the arts and entertainment industry. </div><div><br /></div><div>(4) I suggest establishing a <b>Public Banking Commission</b>. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/03/california-governor-public-banking-law-ab857">California passed a new law</a> authorizing municipalities to establish public banks which can use their funds to reinvest in their communities. West Hollywood should jump on this new opportunity.</div><div><br /></div><div>(5) <b>I recommend The Pick Up Line entertainment shuttle be rerouted so the western turnaround takes people up to the Sunset Strip</b> as seen below, and perhaps join with the City of Los Angeles for a "Super Entertainment Shuttle" (see <a href="https://angelsmovingforward.blogspot.com/2020/07/a-super-entertainment-shuttle-proposal.html">previous blog post</a>) that includes Hollywood and Theatre Row.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKaZEhiU-i8c9TANJLOAHARldTcUANqCs8l0le0yj3ssD-whPaBD1elCumjfAiWCqcgC6RMcABilzPGUazwbht78X0ixB91gE8I0G2ofk2_7FVaT9pYnx02M9UZg4CeCOQPnSLQgYuGFF/s350/New+Pickup+Line+alignment.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKaZEhiU-i8c9TANJLOAHARldTcUANqCs8l0le0yj3ssD-whPaBD1elCumjfAiWCqcgC6RMcABilzPGUazwbht78X0ixB91gE8I0G2ofk2_7FVaT9pYnx02M9UZg4CeCOQPnSLQgYuGFF/s0/New+Pickup+Line+alignment.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Proposed new Pickup Line alignment</div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ljGaP6NTlo0YS7Rk1gKQGTF10hl2ESX1t4oxzexOCj89Vc1GLkKoFpLAoGndvcfH6w7lQA92CDJF7YyMvZ4MMRgeJGZvepq9th7yW4-B0OUcS7Z94awOxzN6KE5OSHRr4psxYmmZke0r/s500/Entertainment+Supershuttle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ljGaP6NTlo0YS7Rk1gKQGTF10hl2ESX1t4oxzexOCj89Vc1GLkKoFpLAoGndvcfH6w7lQA92CDJF7YyMvZ4MMRgeJGZvepq9th7yW4-B0OUcS7Z94awOxzN6KE5OSHRr4psxYmmZke0r/s0/Entertainment+Supershuttle.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Proposed Entertainment Supershuttle alignment</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Revitalizing the Sunset Strip and Rainbow District isn't only about preserving the character and culture of West Hollywood, as important as that is in itself. It's also about preserving the tax base that pays for our quality services. At my last glance, the city's hotel tax is its largest revenue source, and if we want people to lodge in our hotels, we need to give them incentive to spend the night in our fun, creative city.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is some good news. There will always be change. Businesses and people come and go in life. Here is one that opened in mid-city area. I can recommend the coffee at gget ("Go Get 'Em Tiger"). Don't lose heart. Happy Days will someday be here again.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhS0coUhFzXpnQlTskJwyA40Htvb3u00_wlU6ZeBZilfy62wvbOmIvE4N-SdEgsZOgtS5wxCAmR7-PDVzO47_Baw7fBmtvfZHEBEvxXFcRXEg-To3zlkwjyvq_4NTkP1F5M8UiraYRnQq/s843/116795029_10157162656470870_6903763286911861036_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="843" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhS0coUhFzXpnQlTskJwyA40Htvb3u00_wlU6ZeBZilfy62wvbOmIvE4N-SdEgsZOgtS5wxCAmR7-PDVzO47_Baw7fBmtvfZHEBEvxXFcRXEg-To3zlkwjyvq_4NTkP1F5M8UiraYRnQq/w410-h410/116795029_10157162656470870_6903763286911861036_o.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There is an election in November. I'm not running for anything, but I invite all the candidates who are running to share with us their ideas for revitalizing the Rainbow District and Sunset Strip when we finally emerge from this horrible pandemic and resulting economic devestation.</div><div><br /></div><div>What do you think?</div></div><div><br /></div>Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-63987575218531529092020-08-02T16:46:00.002-07:002020-08-04T10:46:00.791-07:00A Proposal for a New Entertainment Shuttle for Hollywood & West HollywoodIn West Hollywood, pre-pandemic, West Hollywood had two free entertainment shuttles which ran Friday and Saturday nights, the Pick Up Line and the Sunset Trip. (The Pick Up line also ran on "Sunday fundays" and certain holidays.).<br />
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The advantages of a free shuttle service serving nightlife are obvious. It reduces the amount of traffic in the area, reduces drunk driving, reduces the demands on parking, and provides more customers to businesses in these districts. These free shuttles ran old trolley cars and played hip music and have a fun atmosphere too them. You can see their respective routes below:</div>
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Eventually, whenever things re-open again at some point in the future, and nightlife returns again, West Hollywood can bring back entertainment shuttle service. Unfortunately, post-pandemic, there are not funds to operate both shuttles. The Pick Up Line will return first when things re-open again in the future. </div>
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A proposal I have is to modify the Pick Up route, so the western turn around also serves a part of Sunset Blvd. This will take people up the hill to part of the western Sunset Strip and provide shuttle service to places like the Roxy, the Whisky-a-Go-Go, the Rainbow Room, and the Viper Room, among others, as seen below;</div>
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For future planning, I want to propose something bigger and grander involving both Hollywood and West Hollywood. A "Super Entertainment Shuttle" if you will. It would serve the Rainbow District, the Sunset Trip, and currently unserved "Theatre Row", as well as taking people to clubs in Hollywood and the "B Line" ("Red Line") Subway. I envision both a clockwise and a counterclockwise loop. Please see below.</div>
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Two notes: (1) I'm currently envisioning the entertainment shuttle heading north from Sunset to Highland rather than LaBrea, because Hollywood Blvd. is often a standstill between Highland and LaBrea on Friday/Saturday nights; (2) Also, those numbered blue dots are mileage markers, not proposed stops. The whole loop is slightly under ten miles. </div>
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Granted, this shuttle would require cooperation between both the Cities of Los Angeles and West Hollywood, and it will be months before all of these types of businesses re-open. But we plan for the future today. </div>
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Imagine someone taking the Red Line to Hollywood, to then catch the shuttle to see a play on Theatre Row or a set at The Comedy Store; and then heading for a drink at The Rainbow Room, or Mickey's; and then head back to the subway, having left the car at home.</div>
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What do you think?</div>
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Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-31047221534099156902020-07-22T13:17:00.004-07:002021-05-28T14:12:14.271-07:00Revisions to Metro's NextGen Bus PlanHere is the good news. After community outreach, Metro has made some revisions to its NextGen Bus Plan, and Line 218 has been saved, albeit in truncated form between Ventura Blvd. and Santa Monica Blvd. Personally, I'd extend it from the Orange Line to Wilshire Blvd. (Purple Line), but I am grateful to see it survive it at all.<br />
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To review, the NextGen Bus Plan essentially takes the Rapid and Limited bus lines and combines them with their respective Local bus lines to create a more frequent overall service. This approach has worked in improving ridership in other regions. Here are the lines most relevant to West Hollywood:<br />
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Rapid 704 and Local 4 are combined into new frequent Line 4<br />
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Limited 302 and Locals 2 and 200 are combined to form frequent Line 2.</div>
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Rapid 705 is combined with Local 105 into new frequent Line 105.</div>
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Limited 312 is combined with Local 212 to create new frequent Line 212.</div>
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The change I find most fascinating is the merging of Rapid 780 with Locals 217, 180, and 181 into one new powerhouse frequent Line 180.<br />
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"In my opinion, this new frequent Line 180 is really going to need bus lanes on Hollywood Blvd. between La Brea and Vermont to work operationally." <a href="https://laist.com/2020/01/30/hollywood_boulevard_walk_of_fame_redesign.php" target="_blank">Hollywood Blvd. is being considered for a makeover</a> anyway, so now is the time. So many bus lines start and finish on Hollywood, coming and going from all directions, that bus lanes on it make practical sense to me.<br />
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Here is one for my friends in Malibu. Line 534 turns into Line 134 and has more frequent service.<br />
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I look forward to seeing the NextGen Bus Plan put into operation so that we can enjoy a more frequent service. I've shown the major plans affecting West Hollywood, but you can <a href="https://arellano.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=955582cec83e4677ad060e993acf61cc#" target="_blank">see all of the NextGen Plan Updates by clicking here</a>.<br />
<br />Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-47485590949525168432020-01-13T10:03:00.002-08:002020-01-13T11:01:35.116-08:00How Metro's Proposed Frequent Bus "NextGen Transit First Service Plan" Could Affect West HollywoodMetro is undergoing a redesign of its bus network called the <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/nextgen/" target="_blank">NextGen Bus Study</a>. After a series of community meetings, a draft frequency-enhanced "<a href="https://thesource.metro.net/2020/01/10/frequent-service-plan-released-for-nextgen-bus-plan/" target="_blank">Transit First Service Plan</a>" has been released.<br />
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The basic strategy as I understand it is to fold all but three rapid lines into corresponding local service, but increase the stop spacing on these new combined lines to create a core network where "83% of Metro's riders" will be walking distance from a bus that has 5, 7, or 10 minute frequency all day. This sort of transformation to bus service has proven successful in other regions.<br />
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There are tradeoffs to any overhaul of course. Metro is trading losing speed on individual rapid trips for the gain of frequency of service on many lines. However, when one includes the time spent waiting for a bus as part of overall travel time, this may be a trade off that balances out for many people. Check out all of the proposed changes by <a href="http://metro.legistar1.com/metro/attachments/eba57c84-4b43-4bef-88c6-143e648598f5.pdf" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.<br />
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Here is how West Hollywood is likely to affected by the bus service changes according to the draft:<br />
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<b><u>Santa Monica Blvd</u></b>: The Rapid 704 would fold into the a more frequent Local 4, with unproductive stops removed. (Note: this may end West Hollywood's one-seat ride to Union Station.)<br />
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<b><u>Sunset Blvd</u></b>: The Limited 302 would fold into the Local 2, with unproductive stops removed. At Alvarado, the 2 would run north-south. (Note: this would create a one-seat ride between UCLA and USC.)<br />
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<b><u>Fairfax Avenue</u></b>: The Rapid 780 would be combined with the Local 180 and Local 217, for one new 180 line that runs from Pasadena City College to Hollywood Blvd., and then down Fairfax to the La Cienega "E (Expo) Line" Station.<br />
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<b><u>La Cienega Blvd</u>:</b> The Rapid 705 would fold into the Local 105, with unproductive stops removed.<br />
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<b><u>San Vicente</u>: </b>Line 30 would no longer run up San Vicente to West Hollywood, but Line 14 would.<br />
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<b><u>La Brea</u>: </b>The Limited 312 would be folded into the Local 212, with unproductive stops removed.<br />
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<b><u>Crescent Heights</u>:</b> Once proposed change I do not agree with is the <b>elimination of Line 218</b> which currently runs over-the-hill between Laurel Canyon & Ventura Blvd. and Cedar Sinai Hospital via Laurel Canyon, Crescent Heights, Fairfax, and 3rd Street. Elimination of this service would require new time consuming forced transfers for current Line 218 passengers on both sides of the mountain. I suggest that Metro try redesigning the service first. One proposal would cut out the 3rd Street portion, but extend the line north to the Orange Line, and run Line 218 between the Laurel Canyon Orange Line Station and The Grove, and see if feeding to/from the Orange Line improves overall performance. Another possibility would be to extend the 230 south over the hill to Santa Monica Blvd. I hope Metro considers these alternatives before scrapping a valuable, direct over-the-hill service entirely.<br />
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One thing that will be needed to make this bus network overhaul work: <b>BUS LANES!</b> Southern California needs a comprehensive network of color-painted and enforced bus lanes to compliment our (thankfully) growing and expanding Metrorail and Metrolink networks.<br />
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There are another series of upcoming community workshops on this frequent "NextGen Transit First Service Plan" all over the County over the next several weeks, including one in West Hollywood, on <b>Wednesday, February 12, 2020, 4 – 7 PM, at Plummer Park</b>, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046 (Accessible via Metro Lines 4/704; and Weho Cityline).<br />
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<a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/nextgen/events/" target="_blank">Click here</a> to find an upcoming community workshop near you. You may send in your comments and suggestions about this plan to Metro at nextgen@metro.net. <br />
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<br />Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-47655326865450433292019-10-10T09:33:00.001-07:002019-10-11T18:09:47.756-07:00Why I like the "Hybrid" Option for the Crenshaw Northern Extension ProjectAs we get closer to Metro selecting a "Locally Preferred Alternative" for the <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/crenshaw-northern-extension/" target="_blank">Crenshaw Northern Extension Project</a>, a new round of community meetings is about to take place. On the menu for discussion will be a new "hybrid" option (seen below).<br />
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The more I study the "hybrid" alignment (<b>A2 plus A/A1 above</b>) for the Crenshaw Northern Extension Project the more I like it. At first the geometry of the line threw me, but this option hits all the major job/entertainment/retail generators north of Wilshire.</div>
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Going to where people actually want to go is what will make this line the tremendous success it is destined to be. People don't just travel through this area, they travel TO this area and within this area.<br />
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Let's just remember why we need this line. It intersects so many other Metro lines (Green, Expo, Purple, Red) and major bus corridors (Santa Monica, La Cienega, Fairfax,,etc.) that it will increase ridership on the whole system. Plus, this extension will vastly increase mobility for disadvantaged communities with direct connections to job and entertainment centers like Cedars-Sinai, Beverly Center, The Grove, and West Hollywood.<br />
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There is a minority of people out there that prefer La Brea for this alignment. They look at La Brea on the map, see a "straighter" line, and say, "We want speed, speed, speed! They don't seem to care about direct access to any of the ridership generators between Wilshire Blvd. and Hollywood Blvd. further west (like Cedar Sinai, the Beverly Center, the Grove, West Hollywood, etc.). This is why I do not agree with them:</div>
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As a daily user of the transit system I think to myself, "If the options are: (A) riding a few more minutes underground to go directly to the location I actually want to go (West Hollywood, Cedar Sinai, Beverly Center, The Grove, etc.), or, (B) getting off the train at La Brea and THEN waiting above ground to transfer to a bus and THEN riding through heavy surface traffic to finally get where I actually want to go, well (B) really does not seem like the "speed" option after all, does it?<br />
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I'm sure a nurse riding from Leimert Park to her job at Cedar Sinai would rather take a quick one-seat ride underground rather than ride to Beverly/LaBrea, wait for a bus at LaBrea for however long, and then ride stop and go in heavy traffic to finally get to her job. When you conceive the whole trip, the notion of the "speediest" option changes.</div>
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I say build this line and put the alignment directly stopping where people actually want to go. And make its northern terminus at the Hollywood Bowl to help relieve nighttime Hollywood Bowl traffic there.</div>
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I believe the few extra minutes of curves required to make these stops, which no one will notice or care about underground, will still be MUCH quicker than sitting in heavy surface traffic above ground, and will not at all be a deterrent to its success.</div>
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I also reject talk of breaking this project up separately into “two-lines” as there is only going to be one line built in this area for decades. By the time all of the current <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/measurer/" target="_blank">Measure R</a> and <a href="http://theplan.metro.net/" target="_blank">Measure M</a> projects are finished it will be decades for a second line is even proposed. So don't be fooled or distracted by those people advocating a so-called "speed" line on La Brea today while leaving second "access" line to be proposed and built at some vague date decades later (or never).</div>
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There are also those who will wonder, "what about the people traveling from the San Fernando Valley to LAX?" Good question! I think most of them will likely use the coming <a href="http://ridethepinkline.blogspot.com/2019/07/transit-advocates-have-been-dreaming-of.html" target="_blank">Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project</a> (seen below), but will still find this hybrid underground alignment MUCH quicker than sitting in surface traffic.</div>
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The next round of Metro Community Meetings for this project are soon.</div>
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<b>Tuesday, October 22, 2019, 6 – 8 p.m.</b></div>
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Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90046.</div>
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Accessible via: West Hollywood Cityline and Metro bus lines 2, 4, 212, and 704.</div>
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<b>Thursday, October 24, 2019, 6 - 8 p.m.</b></div>
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Wilshire Crest Elementary School, 5241 W. Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036.</div>
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Accessible via: Metro bus lines 20, 28, 212, 312, 720 and 728.</div>
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<b>Saturday, October 26, 2019, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.</b></div>
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Virginia Road Elementary School, 2925 Virginia Road, Los Angeles, CA 90016.</div>
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Accessible via: DASH, Metro Bus lines 37, 38, 210, 710 and 740.</div>
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<b>Tuesday, October 29, 2019, 6 – 8 p.m.</b></div>
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Rosewood Avenue Elementary School, 503 N. Croft Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90048.</div>
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Accessible via: DASH, West Hollywood Cityline and Metro bus lines 10, 14, 105 and 705</div>
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I will see you there! You can also submit your feedback about this line to crenshawnorth@metro.net.</div>
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<i>Although I very proudly sit on the City of West Hollywood's Transportation Commission, this blog post is my own opinion. I am not claiming to speak for the Commission, the City Council, or our hardworking city staff. </i></div>
Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-4532375583570342292019-07-25T12:17:00.002-07:002021-05-28T14:12:43.745-07:00What is Metro's NextGen Bus Study's Regional Service Concept <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Metro has set out to design a new bus network that is more relevant, reflective of, and attractive to the residents of LA County, which it has branded as the <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/nextgen/" target="_blank">NextGen Bus Study</a>. This type of overhaul and updating of the bus system happens about every few decades. It's important to keep the bus network relevant and upgraded to represent current demand and travel patters. Hopefully this will help with increasing Metro bus ridership as a <a href="https://www.statesman.com/news/20190624/cap-metro-rides-positive-trend-in-passenger-numbers" target="_blank">similar redesign recently helped ridership in Austin, Texas</a>.</div>
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Metro has completed Phase 1, its "Research and Analysis" phase. Based on the data collected and a vast amount of outreach, Phase 2 is now presentation of Metro's "<a href="http://media.metro.net/projects_studies/nextgen/images/Ops_Committee_NG_Regional_Service_Concept_2019-0718.pdf" target="_blank">Regional Service Concept</a>". Phase 3, after the approval of the "Regional Service Concept", will be development of the "NextGen Service Plan", expected in early 2020. Phase 4 will be "Implementation" of the plan once approved.</div>
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So what is this <b>Regional Service Concept</b> that Metro is proposing to base design of its new service plan?</div>
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According to Metro, <i>"Together with your comments, the Regional Service Concept is guiding the NextGen bus service planners as they examine every Metro bus line and bus stop to determine the best system redesign possible."</i> This phase will defines the goals and objectives of the new bus network, and will include measurements of for success of the new network, route and network design concepts based on public input and data analysis, a framework for balancing the inevitable tradeoffs that this new plan will require, and, of course, <a href="https://boardagendas.metro.net/board-report/2017-0912/" target="_blank">Metro’s Equity Platform</a> considerations.</div>
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In 2018, the Board adopted <a href="https://www.metro.net/about/metro-vision-2028-plan/" target="_blank">Metro Vision 2028</a> as the agency’s strategic plan. Metro sees the NextGen Bus Study as addressing one of the plan's top goals: "<b>Provide high quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling</b>."</div>
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The Concept lists three key factors to developing the new transit network:</div>
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<li> Transit Propensity - Identity the areas where the propensity to use transit is the greatest, by examining the market segments of transit customers (transit reliant riders, commuters, and discretionary riders) and the intensity of demand by population and place (prospective ridership generators);</li>
<li> Existing Service Performance - identify and optimize the most productive segments of the
existing bus network which matches current transit demand (what's already working well);</li>
<li> Service Environment - Removing land use barriers to successful service, and implementing transit supportive infrastructure (such as transit-only lanes).</li>
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In particular, check out <a href="http://media.metro.net/projects_studies/nextgen/images/Ops_Committee_NG_Regional_Service_Concept_2019-0718.pdf" target="_blank">"Attachment E" (pages 151-157)</a> of the Concept for signs of what bus lines Metro scores as performing well in the current network, and what lines it scores as underperforming.<br />
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I expect people will be very interested about any proposed changes to their current transit lines, for many people their transit access and reliability can determine their mobility, their economic prosperity, and social/cultural opportunity.</div>
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It will be months before we see the new proposed NextGen Service Plan. While we are waiting, check out the <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/nextgen/nextgen-data-and-analysis/" target="_blank">NextGen Bus Study Data Center</a> where Metro has granted access to an amazing ocean of transit data analysis, more than enough to keep any transit fan occupied until the NextGen Service Plan comes out by early 2020.</div>
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For a <b>Ridership Data Tool</b> that "allows you to explore monthly ridership stats, line level trends, and historical information for every line in Metro's system," <a href="http://isotp.metro.net/MetroRidership/Index.aspx" target="_blank">please click here</a>.<br />
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For a <b>Trip Density Per Census Tract Map</b> that displays volumes of daily trip origins per census tract, including both transit trips (recorded by TAP data) and overall trips (car, transit, etc.), <a href="http://la-metro.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/f7de71e5157d4e49bfc9adc935daa775" target="_blank">please click here</a> and zoom in/out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVayvzYr8vD21KnK7KGEsYemulSuutq84cVPWpI1JAxFQiAEqskue1F8ZAoE28D7ua0ITU5jk5CVa_2x0XTeojRXojV3sh3HxXff81FTtewOXgEiIdPtC9o8VyDiDQEoQQOcnTNXXGvwF/s1600/Corridor+Performance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="549" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjVayvzYr8vD21KnK7KGEsYemulSuutq84cVPWpI1JAxFQiAEqskue1F8ZAoE28D7ua0ITU5jk5CVa_2x0XTeojRXojV3sh3HxXff81FTtewOXgEiIdPtC9o8VyDiDQEoQQOcnTNXXGvwF/s400/Corridor+Performance.JPG" width="355" /></a></div>
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For a <b>Corridor Segment Performance Map</b> that "displays which segments have the most ridership and are the most productive," <a href="https://arellano.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=7c6acc563af54ce2b6576234b56fb503" target="_blank">please click here</a> and zoom in/out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qGNjYB7VCZVBTk09slIW1Ng-n1fZeC7hIhUL5Ych8xlsbmfn5ZCy44-CVyxtfZJmWiT0c_Eq135r5KTIQI22I1T0MtgMZwNh14RDZB6I4NDXjTRuVTM9sSFBGvjOh39M00ZaJ3sd1zH2/s1600/Frequency.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="875" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qGNjYB7VCZVBTk09slIW1Ng-n1fZeC7hIhUL5Ych8xlsbmfn5ZCy44-CVyxtfZJmWiT0c_Eq135r5KTIQI22I1T0MtgMZwNh14RDZB6I4NDXjTRuVTM9sSFBGvjOh39M00ZaJ3sd1zH2/s400/Frequency.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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For a <b>Frequency Map</b> that "displays how often buses are arriving at stops for segments of each route, with the red lines showing they most frequent segments," <a href="https://arellano.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=13a353148f2843a0b2aeba6cdafa8c31" target="_blank">please click here</a> and zoom in/out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNpw_nioPTquVUL1EM9IQYQZGJrI6D-T5eLc2pukrHMrWcHRHPcuv85KD897yfZiEKz5aatMEaBUxNe9nZVvimH1hagB5stOUzPinNpjkXDH10NEywnht6EKKRhGbDQsdn6h5J4cs1WSW/s1600/Trip+length+distribution.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="755" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNpw_nioPTquVUL1EM9IQYQZGJrI6D-T5eLc2pukrHMrWcHRHPcuv85KD897yfZiEKz5aatMEaBUxNe9nZVvimH1hagB5stOUzPinNpjkXDH10NEywnht6EKKRhGbDQsdn6h5J4cs1WSW/s400/Trip+length+distribution.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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For a <b>Trip Length Distribution Map</b> that "displays how far riders typically travel along the corridor based on their starting point, with darker red dots indicating longer trip lengths,"<a href="https://public.tableau.com/profile/tmdtableau#!/vizhome/LAMetroTripDistance_Metro/TripDistanceMap2" target="_blank"> please click here</a> and zoom in/out to click on a starting point to display the average length.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOD16UR0rDrlmKyeptiTC0Jl8GeZT1_gJOu-la7iGQWBivRAW-H71M1WiL16oqlfCoABy4KAs3_s-5Tv4V4j4JRH3_NZELCFD0UPaGS2i6nSdyXkoYpJWNMUKy4dBvNI02nCdmYS0TCzN/s1600/Orgin+and+Destination.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="552" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOD16UR0rDrlmKyeptiTC0Jl8GeZT1_gJOu-la7iGQWBivRAW-H71M1WiL16oqlfCoABy4KAs3_s-5Tv4V4j4JRH3_NZELCFD0UPaGS2i6nSdyXkoYpJWNMUKy4dBvNI02nCdmYS0TCzN/s400/Orgin+and+Destination.JPG" width="371" /></a></div>
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For an <b>Origin-Destination Patterns Sliding Map</b> that "displays the pattern of where current transit riders are starting and ending their trips," <a href="https://arellano.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4c7b5778da734b9b867c149ebb2492b3" target="_blank">please click here</a> and zoom in/out and slide back and forth to compare origins versus destinations.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSfsp4LPx5S6628s82Q_SDeBJ6IjnjfTHd6y4aXMVERx9VQZ6jshNRhBq-CjvtoLZNqG6Yu9IfwQdeP8IQTDHwQE7JPcHSLj-B60dQbwPXwiiTAJjyOrgj2vVlTUFicOVCcoiryWH-999/s1600/Seated+Capacity.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="826" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSfsp4LPx5S6628s82Q_SDeBJ6IjnjfTHd6y4aXMVERx9VQZ6jshNRhBq-CjvtoLZNqG6Yu9IfwQdeP8IQTDHwQE7JPcHSLj-B60dQbwPXwiiTAJjyOrgj2vVlTUFicOVCcoiryWH-999/s400/Seated+Capacity.JPG" width="396" /></a></div>
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For a<b> Seated Capacity Map</b> that "displays how full, on average, the buses are on segments of each route. The darker the color represents segments of a route where buses are fuller". <a href="https://arellano.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=696b27a9e17940b789d17b66f9efb9c7" target="_blank">please click here</a> and zoom in/out..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1yd1_QXkU8Nu4WpZvYJ4bPdWHEFZY3am99rEdZ_W_OFCtI6tNlhFgT2zgbtRiTlQ6J-XZi4PaxOI7JZUGuc8yB_gphEdvaS-QW4jYNtQ2MwwV2BRx-UorgSV07cwtymWpfLQAbuA1Bpg/s1600/Stop+Activity.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="779" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1yd1_QXkU8Nu4WpZvYJ4bPdWHEFZY3am99rEdZ_W_OFCtI6tNlhFgT2zgbtRiTlQ6J-XZi4PaxOI7JZUGuc8yB_gphEdvaS-QW4jYNtQ2MwwV2BRx-UorgSV07cwtymWpfLQAbuA1Bpg/s400/Stop+Activity.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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For a <b>Stop Level Ridership Map</b> that "displays the level of activity at each of Metro’s bus stops, with the red dots representing high activity, with detailed information on the number of boardings, on and off, by simply clicking each dot/stop," <a href="https://fusiontables.googleusercontent.com/embedviz?q=select+col0+from+1mwmBfw9p-apMb2CjXtv5H1E8XpQcUHsn9fPu54-I&viz=MAP&h=false&lat=34.03867086560389&lng=-118.23103334764261&t=1&z=13&l=col0&y=2&tmplt=2&hml=KML" target="_blank">please click here</a> and zoom/in out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-JXK9vzhCg5rD7fn17X5aZK9_2QFjadbdeo-G3qanR5T4D4qf6A3PbTOZdfjYNK5xHTXdM53LQ_Us_aVpVPR_78lfCzdShzoJIpazM7Pm-VOcUITG24PM_ar-fD5LVzPPeELKGREAn0T/s1600/Transit+Propensity+Score.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="744" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-JXK9vzhCg5rD7fn17X5aZK9_2QFjadbdeo-G3qanR5T4D4qf6A3PbTOZdfjYNK5xHTXdM53LQ_Us_aVpVPR_78lfCzdShzoJIpazM7Pm-VOcUITG24PM_ar-fD5LVzPPeELKGREAn0T/s400/Transit+Propensity+Score.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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For a <b>Transit Propensity Map</b> that "shows you the areas where the propensity to use transit is the greatest," <a href="https://la-metro.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=63842c2ebe6645f3a64259a964211ba7" target="_blank">please click here</a> and add the layers of demand data you want while zooming in/out.</div>
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Phew! That is a lot of data. I cannot wait to see the new proposed service plan.</div>
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Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-84284905306268441102019-07-24T09:33:00.001-07:002021-05-28T14:12:59.198-07:00Please Give Us Shade... (No, Really.)Last night I was waiting for a bus at Wilshire Blvd. and 26th Street at a major bus stop that serves local and rapid buses, and here is what I saw:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiys685gMgqoxHYskK33Xxo0QIl1RwR7c924zxSy9X1SvfHlxymEG1oB-duDMS15djQ61KKE3cEps-gKg9hbKJh73FZPBsTkJ2D7TJDxR3DWVMI9hQdqfBr0ALID1j5ZCOZZgWqCISAJ2M/s1600/67164060_10156142637465870_5807101306690600960_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiys685gMgqoxHYskK33Xxo0QIl1RwR7c924zxSy9X1SvfHlxymEG1oB-duDMS15djQ61KKE3cEps-gKg9hbKJh73FZPBsTkJ2D7TJDxR3DWVMI9hQdqfBr0ALID1j5ZCOZZgWqCISAJ2M/s400/67164060_10156142637465870_5807101306690600960_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Notice something interesting? Here is another view.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcJYH8P0mYGfo0e6dOWTBGbLsrj2kR5MDKi501x5dwRoMMVVkvbU02tI15W6iT-_L61tvSZVH6hsSgiysS6dZ9R_9-WOVtPPqTk9ajhGd8juT4uvcIGVtfR2EIenRwCqPfKIY9mOhI3G9/s1600/67090572_10156142637455870_8457092370226216960_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcJYH8P0mYGfo0e6dOWTBGbLsrj2kR5MDKi501x5dwRoMMVVkvbU02tI15W6iT-_L61tvSZVH6hsSgiysS6dZ9R_9-WOVtPPqTk9ajhGd8juT4uvcIGVtfR2EIenRwCqPfKIY9mOhI3G9/s400/67090572_10156142637455870_8457092370226216960_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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People are not sitting in the hot sun in the pretty, artistic seating. They are standing in the shadows of poles and trees. This is how too many people wait for the bus in Southern California. If you are a big and tall guy like me, the pole may not be big enough.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZZZzQ0rKWMQe-1O6hqNJdJewfwQAKQ3b9NBizZ9G7_TnHZznbsy81KVX87cTuPxn9FcYzhK7slHbLeLYYc2IysfhrK89MZRANANF3KLfA7d1tZs67lswyBGTCpiEChNY-FsZwJK2pUGI/s1600/EAM2W95UwAIGu5M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZZZzQ0rKWMQe-1O6hqNJdJewfwQAKQ3b9NBizZ9G7_TnHZznbsy81KVX87cTuPxn9FcYzhK7slHbLeLYYc2IysfhrK89MZRANANF3KLfA7d1tZs67lswyBGTCpiEChNY-FsZwJK2pUGI/s320/EAM2W95UwAIGu5M.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My question is. why isn't there a bus shelter? Why isn't there shade? It makes for a very uncomfortable wait. When it rains, and we know from this year that it actually does rain in Southern California, we basically get wet.<br />
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Here is an example of a London bus shelter design I love -- that has shade, seating, a map, a digital screen, and is ADA compliant -- that I would like to see all through Southern California.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtl6JxmgBkrQC7f5ziRQ4NvRdZxHLyAHnpLe5XuA70qRdnlXZDPBcNTIedZg0PV1MZ4u0lRMDyxa-P-lcmLFgw9DfNiuQV3oScO-jyFNZJwVdv6dq-vLzTgNkCyzWVup41WqRz6FQ1y9Q/s1600/67128022_10156142642365870_1037285974087827456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="815" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtl6JxmgBkrQC7f5ziRQ4NvRdZxHLyAHnpLe5XuA70qRdnlXZDPBcNTIedZg0PV1MZ4u0lRMDyxa-P-lcmLFgw9DfNiuQV3oScO-jyFNZJwVdv6dq-vLzTgNkCyzWVup41WqRz6FQ1y9Q/s400/67128022_10156142642365870_1037285974087827456_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Isn't this pretty? Why don't we have adequate bus shelters throughout much of Southern California? Don't blame Metro for this. The quality (or lack thereof) of bus shelters and bus stops is largely the responsibility of the cities in which they are located.</div>
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Also, are bus stops designed based on how aesthetically pleasing they look or for the benefit of the transit user? Ideally both, but functionality is essential.</div>
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By pointing out this stop, I am not ragging on the transit-supportive city of Santa Monica here, or its terrific Big Blue Bus system. This one stop is just an indicator of a county-wide deficiency. I should also add that my city of West Hollywood is currently upgrading its bus stops and shelters, which is terrific. But, if you don't have adequate bus stop shade where you live, work, and play, then go to your city's Transportation Commission meeting, or even its City Council meeting, and insist on quality bus shelters that offer real shade from the sun and rain during public comment. </div>
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As I stated in my last blog, there are two basic views of public transit and its components that I run across:</div>
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(A) "Public transit is method of moving masses of people of all classes and demographics conveniently from place to place, increasing mobility, cultural opportunity, and economic prosperity, while helping the environment and quality of life for all by providing an reliable alternative for people who would otherwise exacerbate traffic problems by driving more cars on our already clogged roads."</div>
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(B) "Public transit is a form of "transportation welfare" meant to provide a subsistence level of mobility to poor people who would, of course, get their own automobile as soon as they have the means and opportunity."</div>
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Too many people think of transit in Southern California solely as (B) and therefore don't see the problem here. If you only think of transit as just transportation welfare for poor people who would rather be driving a car, then you probably don't care about investing in or improving the system, or the experience of the transit rider. </div>
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Having lived in New York, and other Metropolitan cities, I envision transit as (A), and that is why I seek to improve it for everyone in the Southern California region, because I see everyone as a potential user. I absolutely reject the limited, outdated idea that "this is Southern California and we have a car culture, so mass transit will never work here." Millions of people already use the system we have and voters passed Measures R (2008) and M (2016) to improve and expand our system.</div>
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One person has told me dismissively, "if we build transit shelters, the homeless will simply camp out in them". Not if we adequately address the issue of homelessness, which is a <a href="http://ridethepinkline.blogspot.com/2019/07/homeless-and-public-transit-in-southern.html" target="_blank">whole other blog topic</a>. I also reject the idea that the severe issue of homelessness in Southern California should limit or be dumped on our transit system and its components. Let's solve BOTH issues.</div>
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I don't write this blog post to complain. <b>I truly believe in mass transit as a public good, and a public good right here in Southern California</b>. If there is an amazing bus shelter in London, we here deserve no less. If there is any amazing transit feature (signage, maps, technology) in any other city around the world, Los Angeles County deserves it too. This a world class metropolitan capital of culture and commerce and we should have a transit system that is top of the line, and in the front of innovation -- not as an afterthought because, of course, we'd all rather be driving an automobile. <b> Let's have a world class transit system for everyone worthy of a City and County of Angels.</b></div>
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In order to have the robust, user-friendly rail and bus transit system we all want, please give sunny (and sometimes rainy) Southern California adequate shade at all its transit stops.</div>
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<i>Edited to Add: Please read this excellent <a href="https://placesjournal.org/article/shade-an-urban-design-mandate/" target="_blank">Places Journal </a>essay on "Shade", which explains who in Southern California gets shade (and who doesn't) and why. <a href="https://placesjournal.org/article/shade-an-urban-design-mandate/" target="_blank"> Please click here</a> to read.</i></div>
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Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-8945252803113814542019-07-22T11:00:00.001-07:002019-07-24T11:36:04.270-07:00Homelessness and Public Transit in Southern California -- What is the answer?Homelessness is not only a housing issue, but a public transportation issue too. Here is shiny new bus stop seating right across the street from West Hollywood City Hall that no paying or prospective transit passenger on their morning commute can use because it has been taken over by a sleeping homeless person.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR7ln-5V5k_ELdBE0dKU92nNHoopQlYYXWVTXC41H4i-yRm2Py2fVu3yP7LrZpmNERCXFMKGhsY4enUIngT-URcmeiiaH0uNGHIuF7EQVX1CLDis6hTSWWCvaU5Xlr8GC89rjdmaryjZW/s1600/67924533_10156139229635870_7723311591550091264_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR7ln-5V5k_ELdBE0dKU92nNHoopQlYYXWVTXC41H4i-yRm2Py2fVu3yP7LrZpmNERCXFMKGhsY4enUIngT-URcmeiiaH0uNGHIuF7EQVX1CLDis6hTSWWCvaU5Xlr8GC89rjdmaryjZW/s320/67924533_10156139229635870_7723311591550091264_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Other scenarios people who use transit are all too familiar with:<br />
- A homeless person takes up multiple seats with their belongings forcing other people to stand.<br />
- A homeless person either under the influence of alcohol/drugs and/or is mentally ill is disruptive and threatening to other passengers.<br />
- A homeless person who hasn't bathed in several days makes for an unpleasant ride for everyone else around him on the bus.<br />
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This post is not meant to be a general complaint about "the homeless". I have tremendous compassion for homeless people. We are speaking of flesh and blood human beings here who deserve our consideration and respect and help.<br />
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However, allowing homeless people to take over public transit infrastructure hardly seems fair to the paying transit passengers who deserve safe, clean, comfortable rides. <i>(If you are someone who drives a single-occupancy automobile thinking, "Well, what's the problem? I'd stand for a homeless person," I'd ask you in return, "how often do you have to?" It's easy to invoke someone else's inconvenience in the name of one's own compassion.)</i><br />
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When increased homelessness spills onto the transit system and its infrastructure, it suppresses transit ridership because it makes the journey less comfortable and for some people less safe. <b> </b>So then some people who can afford to opt out of the system, do. I don't have any raw numbers, but I certainly have an endless supply of anecdotal evidence from people who tell me this is one of the reasons they personally avoid using transit or have stopped using transit.<br />
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There are two basic visions of public transit I come across:<br />
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(A) "Public transit is method of moving masses of people of all classes and demographics conveniently from place to place, increasing mobility, cultural opportunity, and economic prosperity, while helping the environment and quality of life for all by providing an reliable alternative for people who would otherwise exacerbate traffic problems by driving more cars on our already clogged roads."<br />
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(B) "Public transit is a form of "transportation welfare" meant to provide a subsistence level of mobility to poor people who would, of course, get their own automobile as soon as they have the means and opportunity."<br />
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Too many people think of transit in Southern California solely as (B) and therefore don't see the problem here. Having lived in New York, and other cities, I envision transit as (A), and that is why I seek to improve it for everyone in the Southern California region, because I see everyone as a potential user.<br />
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However, it is increasingly clear to me that unless we do a better job of addressing the issue of homelessness in Southern California, our best efforts to improve transit here are going to be inhibited. In essence, those of us who are transit advocates need to become homelessness advocates out of necessity.<br />
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What is the scale of the homelessness problem in Los Angeles? The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) estimated <a href="https://www.lahsa.org/documents?id=3437-2019-greater-los-angeles-homeless-count-presentation.pdf" target="_blank">59,000 people on the streets of Los Angeles County</a>. That is truly a heartbreaking number.<br />
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So how can we solve this? The City of West Hollywood addresses homelessness with <a href="https://www.weho.org/services/social-services/homeless-services" target="_blank">a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency, collaborative response</a>. The City also has <a href="https://www.weho.org/home/showdocument?id=39126" target="_blank">a five year plan to address homelessness</a>.<br />
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However, no one city or one community can solve the issue of homelessness for the whole region. All of us in Southern California need to do our part, and every community in Los Angeles County needs to do its part too.<br />
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In March 2017, Los Angeles County voters passed Measure H to <a href="http://homeless.lacounty.gov/" target="_blank">raise money to address the issue of homelessness</a>. Los Angeles County also has <a href="http://homeless.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/HI-Report-Approved2.pdf" target="_blank">47 Strategies to Address Homelessness</a>.<br />
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What do you think? Constructive and compassionate solutions welcome.<br />
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<i>Edited to add: A Social Services Manager from the City of West Hollywood has informed me that if we see a homeless community member in West Hollywood who we would like to help, please call WeHo’s homeless concern line at 323-848-6590. They will meet the homeless community member where they are at and offer services to help get them off the street. </i><br />
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<i>Metro Los Angeles has a <a href="https://www.metro.net/riding/homeless-task-force/faqs/" target="_blank">homeless task force</a>. An article about how Metro is expanding its homeless services appeared in the Santa Monica Daily Press on June 1, 2019. <a href="https://www.smdp.com/metro-expands-homeless-services/176045" target="_blank">Please click here</a> to read it. </i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-36501798188853840372019-07-02T12:21:00.000-07:002019-07-02T12:25:36.656-07:00Take WeHo's Cityline's Shortline on Saturday NightThis past Saturday night I was getting ready to head downtown for a night of dancing and frivolity when I remembered the City of West Hollywood's Cityline bus has a new Saturday evening shuttle service called the Shortline, which transports people point-to-point to/from the Red Line Station at the southwest corner of Hollywood and Highland to/from the southeast corner of Santa Monica Blvd. and Crescent Heights.<br />
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The shuttle service is free(!) and runs from 7:30 PM to 1:00 AM, every 10-12 minutes.</div>
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Why? Crescent Heights?</div>
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Take a look at these maps of the free entertainment shuttles for the Pickup Line and Sunset Trip in West Hollywood.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlkSWAKQLJqw_wxRj33Z5uqu-NWJxECa43J2zmWS2H1UjKI_4KDRsE_dz7HAFMGrXgZ0HPyLAzs1hAsjoj0VPMVGqpek63psADltJCX-gkefHe_-4a04xx-07jH8aooCqgDtOH-Uu3b0A/s1600/WeHo+Pickup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="941" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlkSWAKQLJqw_wxRj33Z5uqu-NWJxECa43J2zmWS2H1UjKI_4KDRsE_dz7HAFMGrXgZ0HPyLAzs1hAsjoj0VPMVGqpek63psADltJCX-gkefHe_-4a04xx-07jH8aooCqgDtOH-Uu3b0A/s400/WeHo+Pickup.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjW3iaZiyZ2ixs2T02kiGa7wcoCl377vNkFTj-XhnjY9wZIX9h-3yjULaMkF9lEze96T1BlVZKVcPCIivsc8oDucv2LOJ78e3gVyaiDDj6PsnrKc7j5No6jwiwZQkCxReJ1IgLsK6gStBu/s1600/Sunset+Trip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1246" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjW3iaZiyZ2ixs2T02kiGa7wcoCl377vNkFTj-XhnjY9wZIX9h-3yjULaMkF9lEze96T1BlVZKVcPCIivsc8oDucv2LOJ78e3gVyaiDDj6PsnrKc7j5No6jwiwZQkCxReJ1IgLsK6gStBu/s400/Sunset+Trip.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can transfer between the Shortline and either of these shuttles at Crescent Heights.</div>
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The service worked beautifully. I look forward to this new and easy way to getting to/from the Red Line on Saturday nights.<br />
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Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-49387047049835183102019-07-02T11:26:00.001-07:002019-07-02T12:26:30.726-07:00A Look at Metrorail's Crenshaw/LAX Northern Extension Project to West Hollywood and Hollywood<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcTWgIu-h7kUFXmUhyphenhyphenZ6kZitWniYNjqyRdBXal551H4njgOS6VDCPMlhUg5CCN3SSgP-s-s-Zxiy8zpkW9RDf7gocy8RY-OJt80ukH5ArLLezAHkz5qNoelBR8w-mmJAm3hfGgeoMwkzk/s1600/Crenshaw-line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="776" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcTWgIu-h7kUFXmUhyphenhyphenZ6kZitWniYNjqyRdBXal551H4njgOS6VDCPMlhUg5CCN3SSgP-s-s-Zxiy8zpkW9RDf7gocy8RY-OJt80ukH5ArLLezAHkz5qNoelBR8w-mmJAm3hfGgeoMwkzk/s400/Crenshaw-line.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Metro is currently studying extending its coming <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/crenshaw_corridor/">Crenshaw/LAX light-rail</a> line, which is expected to open year, further north to Mid-City, West Hollywood and Hollywood. This <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/crenshaw_corridor/">Northern Extension</a> would provide a mighty north-south rail transit corridor connecting four rail lines (Green, Expo, Red and Purple) -- five if you count the <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/sepulvedacorridor/">Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project</a> under study.<br />
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Following this Feasibility/Alternatives Analysis of five potential alignments for the Northern Extension (seen below), Metro will now preparing an Advanced Alternatives Screening Study to gather public input and further analyze the five alignments to help determine which alternatives will be studied further in a subsequent environmental analysis.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYxzS4NcyPvnOxtt_5NKMwkzcng10twHdtr7scfurJ6HaaZkjoNHdDHAU-kPBAiAEjMXV6hJIrVkTJ3VgxD_46-kwiGMY4fIVqMB1sxfpjekweZaQkC9yb8L072H396oArcQvu0Nw4PX3/s1600/Crenshaw-map1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1494" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYxzS4NcyPvnOxtt_5NKMwkzcng10twHdtr7scfurJ6HaaZkjoNHdDHAU-kPBAiAEjMXV6hJIrVkTJ3VgxD_46-kwiGMY4fIVqMB1sxfpjekweZaQkC9yb8L072H396oArcQvu0Nw4PX3/s400/Crenshaw-map1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://theplan.metro.net/">Measure M</a> allocates $2.24 billion to the project, with a groundbreaking date of 2041 and project completion date of 2047. Metro is conducting this study now as there are efforts underway to identify funding to accelerate this schedule. ALL projects look for additional funding to speed construction. Please do not be daunted by the currently scheduled completion date. That can and will be moved up. This project can certainly be made shovel ready soon.<br />
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Metro has been holding a series of community meetings about this project. I went to the first one and it was exciting to see a room full of people eager and excited for a Metrorail project to be built and built soon.<br />
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One of the things I learned is that Metro expects this line when completed to be one of the heaviest used light rail lines in the country, with its connection to five Metro rail lines, LAX, Hollywood, West Hollywood, and major bus corridors. That sounds like an excellent reason to find the funding to speed up construction, doesn't it? Perhaps even by the Olympics in 2028.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2XEhw7CPe2C0rS1qnbD2KPVWky__W5F3-e-xbFp6tD1-ALnXyukWF-JULUraID0szqo2via2qo38MVTa71IR38ZaOYyEmC6Puo1OP03GXMf7Fe5K92QEOCecLiUhEnN0jKFABIPe-0ud/s1600/Feasibility.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1186" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2XEhw7CPe2C0rS1qnbD2KPVWky__W5F3-e-xbFp6tD1-ALnXyukWF-JULUraID0szqo2via2qo38MVTa71IR38ZaOYyEmC6Puo1OP03GXMf7Fe5K92QEOCecLiUhEnN0jKFABIPe-0ud/s400/Feasibility.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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One of the things mentioned by Metro is that the further west the proposed alignment, the more job centers that are accessed by it. When I inquired if the alternative analysis had studied nighttime ridership, they mentioned it had not. We know that this area has a large number of nighttime riders and employment. Any late night ride on a crowded 4/704 bus will tell you that. Hopefully, Metro will choose alignment A or B. C is another meritable choice. My personal opinion is that LaBrea is too far east and misses too many ridership generators such as The Grove, Cedar Sinai hospital, and the Beverly Center. Also, based on these numbers in the Feasibility Analysis I would be surprised if the Vermont alignment makes it any farther in the studies for this project. There is, however, a separate Vermont Corridor project underway.<br />
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Metro has one more community meeting scheduled for this phase of the process -- Thursday, March 28, 2019, 6 – 8 p.m. West Hollywood Library, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069. Accessible via: DASH, West Hollywood Cityline and Metro bus lines 4, 10, 16, 30, 105 and 704. There is limited street parking and a parking lot available.<br />
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EDITED TO ADD: I attended the March 28th meeting and heard the following: "The Fairfax alignment accesses twice the number of jobs as the La Brea alignment, and the La Cienega / San Vicente alignments have twice the number of that."<br />
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Please check out Metro's website for the Crenshaw Northern Extension at metro.net/crenshawnorth and if you cannot attend, please let Metro know by email that you support this project and which alignment you support (hopefully "A/B" or at least "C") at crenshawnorth@metro.net.<br />
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<i>Originally published on March 27, 2019</i><br />
<i> </i>Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-53296520219156838282019-07-02T11:20:00.001-07:002019-07-02T12:27:10.174-07:00What I Learned at the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project Community MeetingTransit advocates have been dreaming of a public transit rail line through the Sepulveda Pass connecting the San Fernando Valley to the Westside for a long time now, from as far north as Sylmar to as far south as LAX. The Transit Coalition has supported this concept as its proposed "<a href="http://www.thetransitcoalition.us/largepdffiles/TC-JEM%20Line-02a-2012-10-19.pdf">JEM Line</a>" for years.<br />
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Metro has been moving forward on its version of this ideas as the <a href="https://media.metro.net/projects_studies/images/factsheet_sepulveda_transit_corridor_2018.pdf">Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project</a>, and has been having community meetings to brief stakeholders and obtain feedback on where it is in the development process. Please view the presentation we saw at the community meeting by <a href="https://media.metro.net/projects_studies/sfv-405/images/Presentation_sepulveda_transit_corridor_2019-01.pdf">clicking here</a>.<br />
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Here is where we are at in the current round of the process. It is best to think of this project in two basic segments -- (1) between the Valley and Westwood and (2) between Westwood and LAX.<br />
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<span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><strong>Valley to/from Westwood</strong></span><br />
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The first thing you should know is that there is already an East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Light Rail Project that has been approved by Metro. Therefore, whichever Valley to/from Westwood alignment Metro chooses will need to take this other rail project into account.<br />
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Here are the four proposals still in the running for the Valley to/from Westwood segment:<br />
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MRT means Monorail. Many people who've been to Disneyland or Disneyworld ask, "why can't we just do a Monorail?". As you can see it would be one of the lower ridership options. Also, as a new type of vehicle for rail transit for Metro, monorail would require a new type of maintenance yard, and also a new classification of labor trained to maintain and operate it. Therefore, I don't expect it to go much farther in the analysis process.<br />
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This leaves HRT1, HRT2 or HRT3. While HRT3 is predicted to have the most ridership upon completion, the direction of travel pretty much ends this route eventually being extended up to Sylmar in the future. Why do that when Metro is already building an East San Fernando Valley Light Rail? As Metro Staff explained, the light rail project is meant to be a local service, while this Sepulveda Transit Corridor project is meant to a regional rail project, where stations will be farther apart.<br />
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Basic details about all these alignments may be found on the presentation delivered at the community meeting which you can find by <a href="https://media.metro.net/projects_studies/sfv-405/images/Presentation_sepulveda_transit_corridor_2019-01.pdf">clicking here</a>.<br />
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Here are a couple of things I learned from at the community meeting.<br />
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<li>This project needs to go at least as far north as not only the Van Nuys Orange Line station, but the Van Nuys Metrolink station too, so it doesn't overcrowd the new East San Fernando Valley light rail.</li>
<li>If you want this Sepulveda Corridor project to be eventually extended up north to Sylmar, than you probably want HRT1.</li>
<li>An option of extending the Purple Line through the Sepulveda Pass was eliminated as it did not have the same ridership potential as a north-south line where passengers could transfer to the Purple Line, the Expo line and ride all the way down to LAX.</li>
<li>A station on Santa Monica Blvd. was eliminated. Metro staff informed me that there is a fault line that runs right through Santa Monica Blvd., and they couldn't safely build a station there. I find that very disappointing. It makes the need to complete the Crenshaw/LAX line northern extension to West Hollywood and Hollywood all the more necessary.</li>
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<span style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><strong>Westwood to/from LAX</strong></span><br />
What you need to know about this segment is that Metro is looking at an alignment near Sepulveda & the 405 Freeway or one closer to Centinela.<br />
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Here is the Sepulveda / 405 alignment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinL65pZQgOPycSjzaYua3TCFdOus_paC1-z00ojSEBhosNw71vV8WW8wJY2WGyQ3gjSdmqOyS4UdYgnEXj2DqQbZz_Ubzpq2uwQygiJDjMcUleqbixFbj3b_P6UpRxqAH84bnE03ycaFc/s1600/Westwood-to-LAX-via-Sepulveda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="771" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinL65pZQgOPycSjzaYua3TCFdOus_paC1-z00ojSEBhosNw71vV8WW8wJY2WGyQ3gjSdmqOyS4UdYgnEXj2DqQbZz_Ubzpq2uwQygiJDjMcUleqbixFbj3b_P6UpRxqAH84bnE03ycaFc/s400/Westwood-to-LAX-via-Sepulveda.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For reasons I explained earlier, I don't expect Monorail to make the final round, so I'd pay attention to the one of the left. Now here is the Centinela alignment:<br />
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The most interesting to notice here is that Metro is studying a Purple Line extension going SOUTH to LAX. I have my doubts as it would reduce the available capacity to transport passengers from the Valley, but Metro is obliged to study everything.<br />
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When completed and online, this rail line will be a VERY busy, and one of the major arteries of our transit system. Metro believes it can promise a 15 minutes time of travel between the Valley and the Westside that will be faster than most auto trips on the 405 Freeway.<br />
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There will be one more meeting on this round on February 5th at 6:00 PM, at the Proud Bird Restaurant, near LAX. Further refinements will take place and there will be a new round of meetings as Metro moves toward its "Locally Preferred Alternative".<br />
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You can find more information about this project and share your feedback with Metro at <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/sepulvedacorridor/">metro.net/sepulvedacorridor</a> and you can see the full presentation from the <a href="https://media.metro.net/projects_studies/sfv-405/images/Presentation_sepulveda_transit_corridor_2019-01.pdf">community meeting</a> here.<br />
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What do you think?<br />
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<i>Originally published February 4, 2019</i><br />
<i> </i>Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-15331631985834131222019-07-02T10:22:00.001-07:002019-07-02T11:41:43.283-07:00A View of Metro's NextGen Bus Study Public Workshops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you haven't heard, Metro is undergoing a redesign of its comprehensive bus network.<br />
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The last update was 25 years ago, and so it makes sense to give the whole system a fresh look.<br />
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There have been a series of "public workshops" where you can come and check out what is happening and give your feedback. I went to the public workshop in West Hollywood, and took photos. This photo below shows the data screen that I found utterly fascinating.<br />
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Using location data accumulated from our cell phones as they travel with us via car, rail, bus, bike, and by foot, Metro has acquired data on what trips people are making and where, and at what times during the day. An 11:00 p.m. map would look very different than a 7:00 AM map or a 3:00 PM map. It's great this data exists.<br />
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There have been several NextGen Bus Study public workshops around the County thus far, and there are a few more still to come:<br />
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Pasadena - January 24th<br />
Downtown Los Angeles - January 26th<br />
Inglewood - January 31st<br />
Van Nuys - February 6th<br />
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For more information about the NextGen Bus Study, <a href="https://www.metro.net/projects/nextgen/">please click here</a>.<br />
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I encourage you to get involved and give your input on how Metro should deploy its 7 million service hours of bus service. The system changes are scheduled to begin rolling out at the end of 2019.<br />
Below are some more photos from the NextGen public workshop held in West Hollywood.<br />
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<i>Originally published January 24, 2018</i><br />
<i> </i>Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-20367031913773293262019-07-02T10:14:00.005-07:002019-07-02T11:42:13.323-07:00A New Map of Metro's Future by Thomas Dorsey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thomas Dorsey sent me a map of what the Los Angeles Metro Map will look like in 2040.<br />
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Isn’t this beautiful?. I may print it out and sleep with it under my pillow. What a dream if we could build it all by the 2028 Olympics?<br />
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So while everyone on Christmas Eve sleeps with visions of sugar plumbs, I'll be dreaming of this.<br />
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<i>Originally published December 23, 2018</i><br />
<i> </i>Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-43106541660732500292019-07-02T10:10:00.000-07:002019-07-02T11:42:34.375-07:00New Metro Legend for Rail Lines and Busways ComingMetro Los Angeles is changing from a colors to alphabet letters when naming its rail lines and busways. once the Regional Connector project goes online Downtown. Soon we won't just "Take the A Train:" to Harlem in Manhattan. We will take it when we are "thinking of heading uptown" from Long Beach to downtown L.A.<br />
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So I am assuming it will be the "C" train extended north to West Hollywood and Hollywood eventually. Of course, letters may change or be added and alignment grow and new operational routes become possible. Here is a look at the system -- in progress.<br />
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What do you think?<br />
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<i>Originally published on December 11, 2018</i><br />
<i> </i>Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-58695894628500572172017-07-11T15:55:00.003-07:002017-07-11T15:55:59.622-07:00New West Hollywood Transportation VideoHere is a great video created by the City of West Hollywood about various transportation options provided by the City.<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ukVhoQPSsBA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ukVhoQPSsBA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-84690106268523522362016-11-10T13:33:00.001-08:002016-11-10T13:40:31.322-08:00Measure M Passes!!! Woo Hoo!Congratulations, Los Angeles County!<br /><br />
Measure M has just passed with near 70% of the vote, enabling a massive and needed expansion of our transit network, combined with the funds raised from Measure R back in 2008.<br /><br />
Measure M also contains needed money for pothole repair, highway fixes, street light fixes, etc. 17% of the money raised will go back to localities for their municipal needs and there will be a dedicated funding stream for "active transportation" (walking/cycling).<br /><br />
This is a dream come true for any transit planner or transit advocate in Los Angeles.<br />
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More mobility will be great for the overall economy and people's individual economies, as the County only continues to densify and grow more populous in the decades ahead. But why wait for these transit and road projects to be completed to enjoy economic benefits? Here are the "shovel ready" projects ready to go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHU4VdbiEg67_2TdiUJlkbA66UpiSLS9tXgg1Yl-vCYHEtN6dHuPUQWgsGGdXwh20mu1GU5Yn3SIR4fGpxGR2CuELPWhu6uac8r7Ui9MPUIy8wp16JMY-qhmzQpzkC1zBTJzZkCMcsiM8q/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHU4VdbiEg67_2TdiUJlkbA66UpiSLS9tXgg1Yl-vCYHEtN6dHuPUQWgsGGdXwh20mu1GU5Yn3SIR4fGpxGR2CuELPWhu6uac8r7Ui9MPUIy8wp16JMY-qhmzQpzkC1zBTJzZkCMcsiM8q/s400/Capture.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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Let the good times roll!<br />
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<br />Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-64776090024965294072016-09-29T12:39:00.000-07:002016-09-29T12:40:00.166-07:00YES on Measure M in November.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I enthusiastically endorse Los Angeles County <a href="http://theplan.metro.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/factsheet_measurem.pdf" target="_blank">Measure M</a> in November.</div>
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It will allow us to complete and upgrade our Metrorail network.</div>
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<a href="http://theplan.metro.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Local_Return_Allocation_by_Subregion.pdf" target="_blank">Every part of Los Angeles County will benefit</a>. It allows 17% of the revenue collected to go back to local communities for local projects such as fixing potholes. <a href="http://theplan.metro.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/FactSheet_Westside.pdf" target="_blank">West Hollywood is projected to receive $509,000 annually from this Measure</a>.</div>
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2% of the funds go toward "active transportation", which means better sidewalks for pedestrians and better pathways for cyclists.</div>
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Check out <a href="http://theplan.metro.net/" target="_blank">Metro's Measure M site</a> for yourself.</div>
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Measure M will cause a great increase in mobility, economic development and prosperity.</div>
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Vote YES on Measure M.</div>
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<br />Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-4669912902247139682016-02-18T11:32:00.003-08:002016-02-18T11:34:07.268-08:00WHAM (West Hollywood Advocates for Metro Rail)West Hollywood is putting its efforts on bringing the Metrorail to West Hollywood through an alignment connecting the under construction Crenshaw/LAX line with the Hollywood/Highland Red Line station.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXzQKPm8aanb7oQZs37AV5hwYuGmpfxYGJ-CsI55wmrmp8RDzO-k8PxsOlcI1EokotnRFzlFAFZxdVsjklMN35C7MlDRzPcx1GKOq9YJ2Dl9V2fUoCmj5IuOn2VcJSJk-vfBXfrruofLU/s1600/Connecting+West+Hollywood+with+the+Crenshaw+Extension.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXzQKPm8aanb7oQZs37AV5hwYuGmpfxYGJ-CsI55wmrmp8RDzO-k8PxsOlcI1EokotnRFzlFAFZxdVsjklMN35C7MlDRzPcx1GKOq9YJ2Dl9V2fUoCmj5IuOn2VcJSJk-vfBXfrruofLU/s320/Connecting+West+Hollywood+with+the+Crenshaw+Extension.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieLp-YOGFeUkRYsAmwVi77-BJ1ObtYafkjjJtnUdHV02EUhr63eKAmwzhBJNfgOu5bKmJF7OZ6kiTLAvri8e56hhgCl2WmBAgvVugTDSbXqbA_cmuKBc7QvdrymQgFkbC2U48Z8WcfeBw/s1600/North-South+Transit+spine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieLp-YOGFeUkRYsAmwVi77-BJ1ObtYafkjjJtnUdHV02EUhr63eKAmwzhBJNfgOu5bKmJF7OZ6kiTLAvri8e56hhgCl2WmBAgvVugTDSbXqbA_cmuKBc7QvdrymQgFkbC2U48Z8WcfeBw/s320/North-South+Transit+spine.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIklfkctzlNgD6LwTIr6qYAgKlVjjer72mkfpc4SVP9E14giTE-pxQm5VgEg634Gi5PC5jbZMut9-oLNLAa6MEWZhbD4xHQBwrlTufhzVo3pR3_BnVuArVQVAPcQtePp2YWgfvMV4ZYhn/s1600/WHAM+rail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWIklfkctzlNgD6LwTIr6qYAgKlVjjer72mkfpc4SVP9E14giTE-pxQm5VgEg634Gi5PC5jbZMut9-oLNLAa6MEWZhbD4xHQBwrlTufhzVo3pR3_BnVuArVQVAPcQtePp2YWgfvMV4ZYhn/s320/WHAM+rail.JPG" width="195" /></a></div>
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Full disclosure. I joined WHAM. <a href="http://www.whamrail.com/">www.whamrail.com</a> <br />
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I hope you do too.<br />
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<br />Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-12362370891158426022015-11-19T13:33:00.000-08:002015-11-19T13:33:04.882-08:00More Progress on Passenger Rail between Los Angeles and Palm Springs<br />
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The <a href="http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2015/11/12/coachella-valley-train-los-angeles-stations/75651492/" target="_blank">Desert Sun</a> has reported that the Riverside County Transportation Commission had selected a passenger rail route between Los Angeles to Fullerton to study even further.</div>
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That route would run from Los Angeles to Fullerton, swing north to Colton, and then continue southeast through the San Gorgonio Pass to Indio.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRw_TbY5dQYWpzxaN_kR5pQsw46y5tnLnXYfwkNOfGkcnUzmYOdG1EEtMsyBAy93tj2CoqJYFs6C88Xb-kUrE6IaynfrJFKAy47I3MbiSOr9ZIY6sF-Tye5Z9OOgr4ZBUp-1HqAJDEGWKZ/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRw_TbY5dQYWpzxaN_kR5pQsw46y5tnLnXYfwkNOfGkcnUzmYOdG1EEtMsyBAy93tj2CoqJYFs6C88Xb-kUrE6IaynfrJFKAy47I3MbiSOr9ZIY6sF-Tye5Z9OOgr4ZBUp-1HqAJDEGWKZ/s400/Capture.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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According to the article, "If the train only stopped three times between Los Angeles and Indio, officials believe the trip would last around 3 hours and 10 minutes — only about 40 minutes slower than traveling by car."<br />
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Well, I don't know about you, but I'd happily bring a laptop and a Kindle and enjoy my journey even if it takes 40 minutes longer than being behind the wheel.<br />
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The article also states that "in earlier studies, Coachella Valley officials have suggested three stations, in Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Indio."<br />
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So cannot wait.Dan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.com0