One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Blue Line is the Most Dangerous MTA Line
Blue Line commuters step across tracks / Photo by LA Wad via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is taking a serious look at the safety of the Blue Line which is the most dangerous of the five rail lines, according to ABC Local.
How dangerous is it? Since the Blue Line opened in 1990, it has been linked to 101 fatalities and 875 collisions. These aren't alarming numbers for other rail lines in the country, but these figures mark the highest number of incidents on any of MTA's five lines and agency officials are taking steps to reduce fatalities along the Blue Line as a result.
What makes it so dangerous? The line travels through 103 crossings mostly at street level, which brings the line in close contact with people living, working and reveling near the track. The other four rail lines go through tunnels or skyways more often, reducing the number of street-level incidents.
How to make it safer? MTA has installed warning devices to keep people off the tracks and plans to spend $1 million next year to install more swing gates to slow down people trying to run across the tracks. MTA is also considering installing cameras to monitor train operators.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
