Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, branded as Metro but also known as LACMTA or MTA, is the public transit operator and regional transportation planning agency for much of Los Angeles County. Metro is also the source of funding for a number of municipal bus operators as well as a good number of other transportation projects, such as bikeways, freeways, and Metrolink commuter rail service in the greater Los Angeles area.
History
Metro was formed on April 1st, 1993 as a result of the merger between the Southern California Rapid Transit District (RTD), the previous operator of bus and rail service in Los Angeles County, and the Los Angeles County Transportation Committee (LACTC), the former transportation planning sector of the county government. Metro inherited all of the bus service formerly operated by the RTD as well as the fledgling Metro Rail network: the entire Metro Blue Line from Los Angeles to Long Beach, as well as the initial operating segment of the Metro Red Line subway that had only been open for several months.
The year 1995 saw the opening of the Metro Green Line, a grade-separated light rail line along the newly-completed Century Freeway (I-105.) The Metro Red Line was extended to Wilshire-Western in 1996, with a branch opening to Hollywood-Vine in 1999 and extended to North Hollywood in 2000. Groundbreaking on a light rail line to Pasadena (initially termed the Pasadena Blue Line) occurred in the late 1990s, but construction was suspended in 1998 due to cost overruns. The line would eventually open under the name of the Metro Gold Line in 2003. The Gold Line was later extended to East Los Angeles in 2009.
In 2000, Metro launched its Metro Rapid bus rapid transit network, intended to replace former limited-stop versions of local routes. With initially two lines (720-Wilshire Blvd and 750-Ventura Blvd), the Metro Rapid network has since expanded to 25 routes with the most recent added in June 2008. Metro also opened its first Metro Liner route in 2005: the Metro Orange Line dedicated busway between North Hollywood and Warner Center. The Metro Silver Line, the second Metro Liner bus route, opened in 2009 connecting the Artesia Transit Center with El Monte Bus Station via the Harbor Transitway and El Monte Busway, operating on surface streets through downtown Los Angeles.
Currently, Metro is undertaking construction on the Metro Expo Line light-rail corridor connecting downtown Los Angeles to Culver City and eventually to Santa Monica, with an estimated completion date of 2011. Additionally, Metro is planning several more lines and extensions: a westward extension of the Metro Purple Line subway to Santa Monica; an eastward extension of the Metro Gold Line past Sierra Madre Villa toward the San Gabriel Valley; establishment of rail-based or bus-based transportation along the Crenshaw Corridor; and construction of a "Downtown Connector" intended to link 7th Street/Metro Center station with Union Station via the Metro Blue and Expo lines.
Description of services
Metro operates the third-largest public transportation system in the United States, after those of New York City and Chicago. Metro's services are listed below:
- Metro Local is the standard local bus service provided by Metro and its contractors. Most Metro Local buses are painted in an orange and silver livery that Metro has dubbed "California Poppy", while unrepainted vehicles feature the old Metro Bus yellow and white scheme. There are currently over eighteen thousand bus stops on 189 Metro Local lines.
- Metro Rapid bus lines operate limited-stop service (with routes numbered in the 700 series) along major Metro Local routes. Most Metro Rapid buses feature a striking "Rapid Red" and silver livery, and they are equipped with transponders to give the buses signal priority at major intersections. All Metro Rapid buses are low-floor CNG vehicles.
- Metro Express service currently consists only of two routes, the 450X and 577X. Buses operating on these two lines are painted in a "Business Blue" and silver paint scheme, and offer premium service along the vast freeway network of the Los Angeles region.
- The Metro Rail system is composed of two at-grade light rail lines (the Metro Blue and Gold lines), one grade-separated light rail line (the Metro Green Line) and two heavy rail subway lines (the Metro Red and Purple lines.)
- Metro operates two Metro Liner routes, the Metro Orange Line and the Metro Silver Line. Theses lines are included in the Metro Rail System Map. The Orange Line is intended to emulate the Metro Rail system in bus format, Metro Orange Line buses are painted in special two-tone silver "Metro Liner" livery, stop at elaborate bus stops on a dedicated busway, and feature proof-of-payment fare systems such as those on Metro Rail. The Metro Silver Line operates using 45 Foot buses in the Metro Local livery, as the buses are meant to be interchangeable with regular Metro Local services. The Proof of Payment system has yet to be established on the Silver Line. Until such a time where it is, fares will be collected onboard with fareboxes.
Current bus fleet
On order
| Fleet number range | Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8454-8599 | 2009-2010 | NABI | Metro 45C CNG | Cummins Westport ISL G | Allison B400R | Order status unknown | |
| 9600-9699 | 2010 | NABI | 65-BRT CNG | Cummins Westport ISL G | Allison B500R | Order status unknown | |
| 3150-3199 | 2011 | NABI | 31-LFW CNG | Cummins Westport ISL G |
| ||
| 4207-4699 | 2010-2011 | NABI | 42-BRT Hybrid (gasoline-electric) | Ford Triton V10 6.8L | ISE ThunderVolt TB40-HG Hybrid Drive System | Order status unknown | |
| 4700-4999 | 2011-2012 | NABI | 42-BRT Hybrid (gasoline-electric) | Ford Triton V10 6.8L | ISE ThunderVolt TB40-HG Hybrid Drive System | Order status unknown |
Current contracted bus fleet
These buses are operated under contract to Metro by a number of private operators. Some of these buses are owned by Metro, but others are owned by contractors. These buses are restricted to each operator's contracted routes, which are otherwise identical to Metro-operated routes in terms of fares and interconnectivity.
| Fleet number range | Thumbnail | Year | Manufacturer | Model | Paint scheme(s) | Engine | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3016-3019 | File:Los Angeles Metro 3007-a.jpg | 1998 | NFI | D40LF | 
|
Detroit Diesel Series 50 | Allison B400R | Transfered to Veolia Transportation |
| 3100-3149 | 
|
2010 | NABI | 31-LFW CNG |
|
Cummins Westport ISL-G | Allison B300R | Operated by Veolia Transportation & MV Transportation |
| 9950-9969 | File:Los Angeles Metro 9959-a.jpg | 2001 | Thomas | TL960 |
|
Cummins ISC | Allison B400R |
|
| 11000-11066 | File:Los Angeles Metro 11033-a.jpg | 2001 | OBI | Orion VI 06.501 |
|
Detroit Diesel Series 50 | Allison B400R | Owned and operated by MV Transportation for LACMTA |
| 12556-12570 | File:Los Angeles Metro 12560-a.jpg | 2003 | ElDorado National | E-Z Rider II Propane |
|
Cummins Westport B LPG Plus | Allison B300R |
|
Retired bus fleet
References
- ↑ Photos 2009 NABI 45CLFWs, subchat.com, retrieved on 2009-10-09
- Personal notes
- Metro Roster - Rapid Transit Press