Photo by Metro Transportation Library and Archive
LA Metro Orange Line
MPC is highlighting true BRT practices in the United States with a series of case studies based on the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy report, Recapturing Global Leadership in Bus Rapid Transit. On Aug. 17, 2011, MPC will release its own report Bus Rapid Transit: Chicago’s New Route to Opportunity. Register for the event today.
MPC Research Assistant James Szczybor contributed to this post.
Los Angeles, California
Name: Metro Orange Line
Managing Entity: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority ( LACMTA )
Opening Year: 2005
System Length: 14.2 miles
Key characteristics:
Dedicated right-of-way, three-door buses, off-board fare collection, passenger information displays, unique branding
Average bus speeds along corridor before:
N/A: This project was built on a former freight right-of-way and is a new route
Average bus speeds along corridor after:
18 mph peak
Speed increase: N/A
Ridership increases: the new corridor carries nearly 25,000 passengers per day
Project Cost: $349.6 million. Project costs were elevated since this system was built on an old railroad right-of-way which required removing old tracks, constructing a new road and installing sound barriers along the entire length of the corridor
Cost per mile: $25 million / mile
Weekday Ridership: 22,668
Opening in 2005, in the San Fernando Valley, the Metro Orange line features all of the True BRT characteristics except for at-level boarding. Despite this drawback, the line transformed an old railroad line to take advantage of existing space and increased speeds by 29 percent.