LA's Newest Rail Line: The Expo Line!

DistrictDirt · #1 Posted: **Apr 29, 2012, 1:17 AM**

Phase 1 of Los Angeles' newest metro line had its public opening this morning, connecting Downtown LA with Culver City, hitting USC and Expo Park along the way, along with some culturally significant South LA neighborhoods like Crenshaw.

It was really cool to see so many people out riding the train. There seems to be genuine enthusiasm about the new line, and every train was packed.

LA has been expanding their metro system for awhile, but this line marks the beginning of a new era, as it extends rail into the LA's Westside for the first time since the Pacific Electric streetcar tracks were ripped out in the 1940's. The wealthier Westside has been resistant to mass transit efforts in the past and has some of LA's most congested streets.

In 2016, phase 2 of the Expo line will be completed, taking the line all the way to Santa Monica, a few blocks from the beach. This should be an even larger turning point in Los Angeles' mass transit story, and will make the city feel like a much smaller place.

For now though, I'm quite happy to see Expo Phase I open, and plan on using it to get to my meetings at USC, to visit the California Science Center, and to explore some bars, restaurants, and galleries in Culver City. Enjoy the photos!

Kingofthehill · #2 Posted: **Apr 29, 2012, 1:24 AM**

From my place, I wonder if it will be faster than a trip to DT via bus. I live a few blocks south of Wilshire/Fairfax, and the ride to DTLA can be anywhere from 25-40 min by bus (15min by car). I suppose I will find out in 10 days!

montréaliste · #3 Posted: **Apr 29, 2012, 1:36 AM**

Congra-Choo-L.A.tions Los Angeles!

HowardL · #4 Posted: **Apr 29, 2012, 2:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by montréaliste

Congra-Choo-L.A.tions Los Angeles!

That was cute. And I love what is going on in LA right now. Such a city.

montréaliste · #5 Posted: **Apr 29, 2012, 1:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowardL

That was cute. And I love what is going on in LA right now. Such a city.

I also like what happened in L.A. to make it bloom into a city where more options are available to people with lesser means and a civic conscience.

Prahaboheme · #6 Posted: **Apr 29, 2012, 2:47 PM**

LA is starting to resemble Mexico City a bit -- the transformation is enjoyable.

Illithid Dude · #7 Posted: **May 1, 2012, 1:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingofthehill

I live a few blocks south of Wilshire/Fairfax, and the ride to DTLA can be anywhere from 25-40 min by bus (15min by car). I suppose I will find out in 10 days!

You're back in L.A.?

Kingofthehill · #8 Posted: **May 1, 2012, 2:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

You're back in L.A.?

Not yet. I get back next week. Why?

Illithid Dude · #9 Posted: **May 1, 2012, 7:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingofthehill

Not yet. I get back next week. Why?

Just curious. And also that would mean your great photothreads would be of L.A., which is always good.

Black Box · #10 Posted: **Apr 29, 2012, 3:09 PM**

Hurray, Los Angeles! What a handsome looking train line you've got there.

novaCJ · #11 Posted: **Apr 29, 2012, 3:15 PM**

Thanks for the photos, the rail line looks great!

J. Will · #12 Posted: **Apr 29, 2012, 5:49 PM**

It's too bad that there is no stop right outside Staples Center/LA Live. Pico is relatively close, but not right there.

giovanni sasso · #13 Posted: **Apr 30, 2012, 1:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Will

It's too bad that there is no stop right outside Staples Center/LA Live. Pico is relatively close, but not right there.

seriously? argh. i hate when cities do the right thing in a major way and then mess up little details.

nevertheless, congrats, LA! looks awesome, and i can't wait till it goes to the sea, as i'm sure most angelenos would agree.

nice expo line poster:

Danny · #14 Posted: **Apr 30, 2012, 2:50 PM**

Very nice pictures and newest rail line! Thanks for sharing.

I like those open air stations.

Congrats and greetings from Madrid, Spain!

LAsam · #15 Posted: **Apr 30, 2012, 4:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Will

It's too bad that there is no stop right outside Staples Center/LA Live. Pico is relatively close, but not right there.

Pico is pretty darn close... 5 minute walk maybe? Besides, IIRC the Blue Line was in existence prior to the Staples Center. It was probably built more with the Convention Center in mind.

Thanks for posting these photos DD! I rode the Expo this weekend as well and it just whet the appetite... can't wait for completion of the rest of the line. Was suprised they didn't run the newer rolling stock though since this was perhaps a first impression for a lot of riders. Perhaps it is because the Blue Line and Expo Line share trains and timing determines which direction the trains take.

M II A II R II K · #16 Posted: **Apr 30, 2012, 5:37 PM**

When will this line start using new streetcars then...

ChrisLA · #17 Posted: **Apr 30, 2012, 7:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by M II A II R II K

When will this line start using new streetcars then...

I was wondering the same thing, but it's not uncommon from what I've seen of other openings (Green Line) in LA. It was probably close to two years before this line received any new rail cars.

But during the testing phase of The Expo Line there were some newer rail cars like the ones on the Green Line, and I think I even seen one of the newer cars they use on the Gold Line. So I think they are using a number of different models for now.

202_Cyclist · #18 Posted: **Apr 30, 2012, 8:18 PM**

Great photos and it is great to see LA's investment in transit improving mobility and creating jobs. The LA region is really starting to become connected by rail. With Phase II of the Expo Line, it will be possible to go all the way from Santa Monica to Pasadena by rail. This will be a huge improvement for the region.

JRinSoCal:

Quote:

Looking good! I can't wait for TODs to start getting built along this line. Also, the Purple Line subway extension from Western to La Cienega was approved recently. Does anyone know when construction will begin? How about the Crenshaw Line?

I asked this question at a session at this year's Transportation Research Board the project manager from the URS Corporation, the engineering firm responsible for the Gold Line, said construction on the Crenshaw Line should begin around this August.

bobcat · #19 Posted: **Apr 30, 2012, 8:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

With Phase II of the Expo Line, it will be possible to go all the way from Santa Monica to Pasadena by rail. This will be a huge improvement for the region.

Actually the Gold Line Foothill extension is scheduled to be completed by then so one will be able to from Santa Monica to Azusa.

202_Cyclist · #20 Posted: **Apr 30, 2012, 9:09 PM**

bobcat:

Quote:

Actually the Gold Line Foothill extension is scheduled to be completed by then so one will be able to from Santa Monica to Azusa.

If LA MTA keeps it up, the critics who oppose high speed rail because LA has no feeder system of local rail are going to have to find a new excuse to oppose this.