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Blue Line Power Meltdown: Make Other Plans or Prepare to Be Crowded [UPDATED]
Photo by Open Air Control Testing Ground via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
Commuters who use the Metro Blue Line between downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach should know that an early-morning power loss is throwing a mighty wrench in the ride.
The loss of electricity in the overhead traction system that powers the Blue Line trains happened at just around 5 a.m. Thursday, but so far Metro officials have not determined the cause.
The transit agency scrambled to set up what's known as a "bus bridge" to move passengers along the same route as the rail line, but it took some time to establish, and many riders were out of luck this morning. Passengers headed to DTLA were cautioned to take alternate routes.
Currently "Blue Line service is severely limited" explains Metro, and is continuing to be "supplemented by limited bus shuttles." They've taken about 25 buses from other routes to serve the "bridge." There is some Blue Line service, but riders could experience 20-30 minute delays and have been told to "expect crowding."
UPDATE 8:47 AM: Metro has just shared the following via @metrolosangeles on Twitter: "Blue Line Update: Trains every 20 min to all stations. Bus shuttles cancelled. Harbor Transitway upcharge is waived today. Will update."
According to City News Service, "the reduced Blue Line service stems from a problem with the electrical system that powers the trains. Repairs will be under way much of the day, says [Metro spokesperson Helen] Gilstrap. Foul play is NOT suspected."
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