LA Metro Metro and Bus Bits 2 (mini)

Could You Ever Relax at LAX?

Airports are fascinating places, especially if you do not have to travel from them or to them! Just visiting can be OK. In the video below, some brave soul has walked from Terminal 1 at LAX round a gurt big loop to Terminal 8. Fortunately he has speeded things up a bit!

Here is the simplified airport layout plan by way of context.

"B" is a named terminal ...

... and is in addition to the 8! He doesn't get to "R".

Tom Bradley was a long-serving Mayor of LA and a strong proponent of good public transport. His bust stands proud near the terminal entrance.

Red Metro buses at LA

Remember this non-standard and rather posh bus stand at Universal? It is a remnant of a bit of  craze by the LA Metro management.

And here Mr Khan, mega mayor of the UK Metropolis, might well take note as he basks in the success (?) of Superloop and the excitement of the forthcoming Bakerloop.

The idea in LA was to create faster bus routes, operated Limited Stop.  They would not supplant the existing network, but be additional; giving faster journeys for longer distance passengers. The buses would have a distinctive livery ...

... and be numbered in the 7xx series. They would follow quick, direct routes mainly to downtown LA. So, please note Mr Khan, NOT Superloop but Superquick.

The first "Rapid" routes were given some bus lanes, priority at traffic lights and the aforementioned posh bus stops.

But most weren't. And, surprise, surprise, although they stopped less often for people, they still stopped just as much as before for traffic. It all wasn't helped when bus lanes were blocked!

We have heard it all before.

Most "Rapid" routes had disappared by 2020, with resources redeployed into the ordinary orange "local" network. A similar fate was to befall another jackpot idea by the Transit Authority.

Blue Routes Invoke The Blues!

Express buses used the Freeways for much of their route. (for "Freeway", read "Motorway" in the UK.)

Three, numbered in the 500s, still remain.

Observant readers may have spotted the 501 while fbb was exploring the Universal Studios stop.

The curse of contravision is alive and well in LA.

Note the abbreviated form of "North Hollywood".

The route, however, is presented as a very normal "orange" servicr, although designated "Express".

The 501 sort-of follows Freeway 138 as we can see from the route map from Noho to Burbank ...

... and on to Glendale.

Note the fairly substantial diversion from the straight and wide 138.

So, effectively, it is bye bye blues ...

... and the future's bright; the future's  orange !

There are big plans for public transport in LA in preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games. The state authorities are proffering a "car free" Games.

They will need to get a wriggle on!

Pre Trax to LAX?

Getting from central LA to the airport was fun. No 3 son used an "Uber" or similar. But there is a "Flyaway" bus from Union Station.

Buses run every 30 minutes.

fbb could not find an actual fare or details of running time.

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UK Puzzle Picture

Which operator? (NOT which group!)

Tailpiece

A visit by spaceship from the planet Zog failed to take its rubbish home. But the Zoggians did leave a message on their huge waste bin for the inhabitants of Planet Earth.

Thanks a lot, aliens, and thanks for travel instructions if ever we want to visit you!

Yes, you are "up there".

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 Next Variety blog : Sunday 16 Feb