Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
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.
The Expo Line Hasn't Reduced Traffic, But That's OK
Expo Line (Photo by CindiK. via the LAist Featured Photos pool)
()
The Expo Line hasn't done much to reduce traffic at all, but that doesn't mean it wasn't money well spent. This isn't just about you, drivers.On Monday, researchers with USC released a study (paywalled) that used data from sensors on the 10 freeway and major surface streets to measure traffic before and after the Expo Line opened in 2012. "These readings revealed that Phase 1 of the Expo Line had little to any impact on local street or freeway congestion," the study found.
This flies in the face of predictions supposedly made to promote the Expo Line project—that the rail would ease congestion on the regularly choked 10 freeway—but as L.A. Weekly points out, most research finds that public transportation only temporarily eases congestion. But reducing traffic doesn't necessarily have to be the only goal of public transit. Ridership for both rail and buses along the Expo Line corridor also increased by 6 percent, the study found.
"Looking into the future, this study shows us how to be more realistic in what we should expect from transit," wrote Sandip Chakrabarti, one of the researchers on the study. "There is a value in creating quality transit for those who use it by choice or by need. It improves productivity for a lot of people." Metro says ridership of the Expo Line has exceeded expectations with over 30,000 boardings per day, and surveys find that people that live within a half-mile of the line have reduced their reliance on cars.
"For me, it's an opportunity to study and not waste time in traffic," USC law student Andres Cantero of Long Beach told the L.A. Times. Cantero says he takes rail to school five days a week. "Very rarely do I drive."
Support for LAist comes from
So even though the Expo Line is not the Traffic Golden Bullet it may have been pitched as, there at least exists an alternative for commuters.
"It's unreasonable to assume that a single project will reduce traffic congestion," UCLA urban planning professor emeritus Martin Wachs told the Times. "That is not to say the Expo Line is a poor investment. It gives people more choice, attracts new development patterns and has environmental benefits. The effects are to be seen cumulatively over many years."
The first phase of the Expo Line opened in 2012, running from downtown to Culver City, with Phase II running all the way to downtown Santa Monica expected early next year. Can't wait!
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist