After approving the Westside Subway Extension, the Metro Board of Directors this afternoon also voted in favor of another major public transit project: a fully underground regional connector in downtown Los Angeles. The 1.9 mile light rail line would fill a gap missing in Metro's transit network. more ›

Today marks a significant day in the advancement of key transportation projects in the L.A. region. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board of Directors authorized four major transportation projects to move forward to their next phase of work. According to the Metro Media Relations department, "The Westside Extension Transit Corridor Study is the proposed extension of the Metro Purple and/or Red Line subway to Santa Monica. In addition to the No Build and Transportation Systems Management Alternatives, the Board approved two build alternatives for further environmental review and preliminary engineering: a Metro Purple Line extension via Wilshire Boulevard and another that also includes a spur from the Metro Red Line in Hollywood via Santa Monica Boulevard. " Also, the Orange Line to the Chatsworth got its environmental impact report passed and can now move to the design phase. more ›

Know how to raise billions of dollars for public transportation? Metro wants to chat with you today at noon in their third live internet chat. more ›

As reported earlier this week, on New Year's Eve, there will be all night Metro rail service. As one commenter pointed out, the news was actually broken in a press release where it was buried with not much detail given:

“The Tournament of Roses parade and game is the biggest venue for Metro Gold Line service all year, with upwards of 60,000 train boardings on a single day,” said Pam O’Connor, Santa Monica City Council member and Metro Board Chair. “Metro is meeting that demand this year with quality, all-night train service and free rides from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. that day to ensure the public enjoys these wonderful New Year’s festivities.”

Thursday's Metro Board meeting to hear public comment and vote on new fares for public transportation in Los Angeles was, simply put, an amazing scene. An estimated 1500 people showed up with approximately 1498 of them opposing the insanely high raised fares (try 500% for some passes). During public comment, speakers spoke with passion, anger, tears and fury. One of the day's best quotes came from a woman who held her baby in her... more ›