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Rail Transit Returns to Los
Angeles
The Metro Blue Line, L.A.'s first light rail transit system,
runs from 7th Street in Downtown L.A., through the communities of Vernon,
Huntington Park, South Gate, Watts, Compton, Carson, finally ending in
downtown Long Beach.The Metro Blue Line is operated and administered by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Blue Line Facts &
figures:
- Length: 22 miles(21.5 miles surface/elevated, 0.5 subway)
- Groundbreaking: October, 1987
- Opening: July 14, 1990
- Cost: $877 Million
- Ridership 63,000 daily avg (as of 7/00)
Maps
Click on a station to find out about its location, nearby points of
interest, auto and bicycle parking availability and connecting transit:
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Metro Rail system map
Rail Vehicle Specs
- Technology: P865 model Light rail vehicle, articulated, 6-axle,double-ended, pantograph powered (750V DC)
- Manufacturer: Sumitomo-Nippon Sharyo, Japan
- Fleet: 54 vehicles, 100-153 series
- Built: 1989-1990
- Cost: $1,170,000 each
- Length: 87'
- Width: 8'-8 3/4"
- Height: 11'6" (top of rail to roof); 23'5" (plus max pantograph); 6'8" (Interior ceiling height)
- Weight: 94,000 lbs.
- Capacity: 150 seated; 230 max seated + standing + 2 wheelchairs
- Speed: 55 mph max allowable; 35 mph street running
- Acceleration: 0 to 55 mph in 45 seconds
- Operation: Cars run in train lengths of two. Will be increased to 3-car operation by 2001.
The vehicle maintenance facility is located in Carson, between the Del Amo and Wardlow stations.
A Ride on the Blue Line
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Here, the train reaches its maximum speed of 55 mph, passing through the industrial and residential districts of Vernon, Huntington Park and Watts.
At the Imperial/Wilmington station, passengers can take a short stair climb or elevator ride to the Metro Green Line, where one can continue their journey towards Norwalk or El Segundo.
After passing the Compton civic center, it passes through the industrial areas of Rancho Dominguez and Carson, passing over the Long Beach Freeway, the Metro Blue Line maintenance yard and the Los Angeles River.
Arriving on the east bank of the river, the train enters north Long Beach, and at the Willow station, the trains enter street running again, this time through Long Beach Blvd.
After passing the Long Beach Plaza shopping center, the trains loop around downtown Long Beach within short walking distance to the Long Beach Convention Center, Shoreline Village and numerous shops, restaurants, theatres and hotels. The Queen Mary and the Catalina Cruises terminal can be reached through the Runabout, downtown Long Beach's free shuttle bus system.
Blue Line Safety and
Security
Although the Metro Blue Line runs through reputed gang territory in
Watts and Compton, there have been no major incidents of crime and vandalism on the
trains. Security on the Blue Line is provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The
gangs in the area are known to have a respect for the rail line, and
recognize that the trains are not part of their turf. Surveillance
cameras and a station-to-central control intercom system add to the security features.The biggest problem facing the Blue Line is grade crossing accidents, and additional features like a third "pylon" light added on top of the front of the train and lowered fences for added train visibility. A number of grade crossings and street-level crossings have been equipped with cameras that can catch violators by photographing their license plate and mailing the car's registered owner a ticket with a stiff fine.
Fares
(Effective February, 1995)
Regular Fares
- $1.35 One-Way
- $ .90 One-Way (via Discount Token)
- $2.70 Round Trip
- $ .25 Transfer to Metro Bus or Rail
Senior/Handicapped Fares
- $ .45 One-Way
- $ .90 Round Trip
- $ .10 Transfer to Metro Bus or Rail
Children under 5 ride free.
One way tickets are valid traveling away from the station of purchase, and are good for two hours. Round-trip tickets run until the end of the operating day. There are no barriers to enter the stations; passengers ride on the honor system and are required to carry a valid ticket, pass or transfer. Failure to carry any of these upon inspection results in a $250 fine.
Park & Ride/Kiss & Ride
Free automobile and motorcycle parking is available for Blue Line commuters at the following stations:
- Florence
- Rosa Parks - Imperial/Wilmington
- Compton
- Artesia
- Del Amo
- Wardlow
- Willow
Bicycles
Cyclists with an MTA Cycle Express Permit may bring their bicycles on board the Metro Rail trains. For a bike permit application, call (213) 922-7000.
Travel Time
- Transit Mall to Metro Center - 52 minutes
- Imperial/Wilmington (Green Line) to Metro Center - 23 minutes
Service Hours and
Frequency
- Days: Seven days a week, including holidays.
- Frequency: Every 5 to 15 minutes
- Hours:
| To Los Angeles (Northbound) Transit Mall station |
To Long Beach (Southbound) 7th St/Metro Center station |
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|---|---|---|---|
| First Train | Last Train | First Train | Last Train |
| 4:59 a.m | 10:21 p.m. | 5:00 a.m. | 11:45 p.m. |
The Pasadena Blue Line
Extension
Construction began in 1994 on 13.6-mile extension of the Blue Line
which will run from Union Station in downtown L.A. into Pasadena, serving the
communities of Chinatown, Highland Park and South Pasadena along the way.
It was originally slated to open in May 2001, but lack of funding and other complications have
postponed the opening of this rail line and construction was been suspended. In 1998, the
Pasadena Blue Line Construction Authority, independent from the MTA, was formed to oversee the completion of the line. Ground was
re-broken in Spring 2000 and the line is planned to open in July, 2003. During that time, the operation and maintenance of the line will
be turned over to the MTA.
Further information on the Metro Blue Line extension to Pasadena
