Harbor Transitway
| Harbor Transitway | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| System | Combined Transitway Service |
| Operator | Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) |
| Began service | June 1996; December 13, 2009 for Metro Silver Line opening. |
| Route | |
| Locale | Los Angeles, California |
| Start | 37th Street/USC |
| End | Harbor Gateway Transit Center |
| Stations | 6 Metro Silver Line Stations |
The Harbor Transitway is an 11 miles (18 km) shared-use bus corridor (transitway) and high-occupany toll roadway that runs in the median of Interstate 110 (Harbor Freeway) in Southern California. The main bus service operating on the busway is the Metro Silver Line which was introduced on December 13, 2009. The Metro Silver Line bus rapid transit line runs on the Harbor Transitway from Harbor Gateway Transit Center to Downtown Los Angeles and continues to El Monte Bus Station. The line operates daily with frequent service. In addition to Metro Silver Line, other Metro bus and municipal bus routes also operate on the Harbor Transitway. They include Metro Express: 442, 450, 460 and 550,Torrance Transit: 4,Gardena Transit: 1X and Orange County Transportation Authority: 701, 721. Metro Express Lines: 442, 450 and 550 operate only during weekdays peak hours. Metro Line 442 operates peak a.m. northbound only and southbound p.m. only. Torrance Transit line 4, Gardena Transit line 1X, and Orange County Transportation Authority: 701, 721 operate only during weekday peak hours. Metro Express line 460 operates daily along with the Metro Silver Line. Busway bus lines originate from Downtown Los Angeles and El Monte, with final destinations in Disneyland, and Disney California Adventure Park located in Anaheim, Knott's Berry Farm, Artesia, Fullerton, Gardena, Hawthorne, Huntington Beach, San Pedro and Torrance.
In November 2012, the existing high-occupancy vehicle lanes within the Transitway were converted to high-occupancy toll lanes. This is part of the larger Metro ExpressLanes project which added major transportation improvements to the area. A few project-mandated improvements along the Transitway are still being completed.
There are six transit stations on the main section of the Harbor transitway (the section with high-occupancy lanes): 37th Street Station, Slauson Station, Manchester Station, Harbor Freeway/I-105 Station, Rosecrans Station and Harbor Gateway Transit Center (to one side). All of these 6 stations are branded as Metro Silver Line stations. There are a further two stations on the freeway to the south of the transitway: Carson Station and Pacific Coast Highway station. On December 13, Metro Silver Line will be extended to serve and terminate in San Pedro. The extension will replace current Metro Express Line 450. The Silver Line extension will follow the exactly routing of Line 450 and terminate at Pacific Ave/ 21st Street. Along with the replacement of Line 450, a new Metro Silver Line faster version of the line will begin operation. Dubbed as the Metro Silver Line Express (Line 950X), the line will mirror the current route and stops of Line 450. Not all Metro Silver Line trips will end in San Pedro..
Contents
History
After 20 years of planning and then construction the combined high-occupancy roadway and transitway was opened in 1998[citation needed] at a cost of $500 million. Provision was made for the transitway to continue further north from Adams Boulevard/ Flower Street to join the El Monte Busway[1] and construction of the busway included 'ski jumps' just past the on/off ramps at this point.[2]
During the early months of the busway ridership was roughly 3,000 boardings a day. Initial usage was only 5% of the predicted 65,000 and fares were reduced from $3.35 to $1.35 in 2000 to encourage additional usage.[3] Months later Metro officials made several changes to their bus services operating on the Harbor Transitway. During the 1990s Metro staff was studying the possibility of connecting the El Monte Busway with the Harbor Transitway by operating a bus rapid transit line. The project was supported by Metro, but plans were later scrapped because of the lack of funds to operate the bus rapid transit line. The project was later revealed early 2009 by staff. The new project would be called the Dual Hub BRT which was later called the Metro Silver Line. The line got its color from the former color on the El Monte Busway which was silver. The project looked at operating a bus rapid transit on both the El Monte Busway and Harbor Transitway serving Downtown Los Angeles as the halfway point of the line. Future project amenities looked similar to the ones on the Metro Orange Line. A council meeting was held to propose a fare for the Metro Silver Line. The line was originally proposed to operate with a local fare, but was later changed due to the interference of Foothill Transit's Silver Streak line which does not have a local fare. The Metro Silver Line was presented to several council meetings for support from passengers and was approved for implementation.
The Metro Silver Line was introduced on December 13, 2009 using both the Harbor Transitway and the El Monte Busway for a 26-mile service operating mostly on the freeways. Usage on the Harbor Transit way has significantly increased with the implementation of the Metro Silver Line. In particular, ridership has increased between 7th Street/Metro Center Station and the Harbor Freeway Station. Weeks after the Silver Line began service, Metro mailed thousands of brochures of the Metro Silver Line to people living near the I-110 freeway to become aware of the new bus rapid transit line.
Metro ExpressLanes project
The Metro ExpressLanes project began work in 2010 to add improvements to the public transport services and facilities. The security of the Harbor Gateway Transit Center (formerly the Artesia Transit Center) was improved in November 2010 and CCTV was installed. Bike lockers were installed and the existing building was re-purposed as a Sheriff substation.[4][5] Improvements were made to station Lighting Improvements and to the Slauson and Manchester stations.
The high-occupancy lanes between Harbor Gateway Transit Center and Adams Blvd were converted to high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes. Opened in November 2012, the HOT lanes require Fastrak transponders.
Other changes also include:
- Bus priority is being expanded in Downtown Los Angeles, which will improve performance of the Metro Silver Line.
- New security cameras and digital message boards are being installed at stations on the route.[6]
- Park & Ride facilities are being improved at the Harbor Transitway station.
- More bicycle lockers are to be provided the Harbor Gateway Transit Center.
- A new Bus Maintenance Facility is being constructed in Downtown Los Angeles.
- 59 new Compressed natural gas powered 45-foot buses are to be introduced on the Silver Line, together with 100 new Metro Vanpool vehicles.[6]
Bus services
The Harbor transitway is served by the Metro Silver Line, Metro Express and municipal operators. The Metro Silver Line is the bus service used the most based on ridership on the busway. The busway is primarily used by the Metro Silver Line although there are a number of other express lines, some of which are operated by other transit operators. Each line in the busway has a different fare structure. Metro Silver Line charges $2.50 for a base fare, one way, but Metro Day pass holders do not need to pay an additional charge. Metro and Foothill Transit's Silver 2 Silver program does not apply on the Harbor transitway portion even though the Silver Line operates on both the Harbor and El Monte Busways.
| Metro | Torrance Transit |
|---|---|
Metro Silver Line  Metro Express Lines: 442, 450, 460, & 550 |
Torrance Transit:4 |
Harbor Transitway stations
The transitway is a key component served by the Metro Silver Line and is also served by Metro Express buses, Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Orange County Transportation Authority, Gardena Transit and Torrance Transit buses. Carson and Pacific Coast Highway bus stations are not considered part of the Harbor Busway. These stations were considered part of the busway before the Metro Silver Line was implemented.
| Station | Busway Level (Freeway Level) | Street Level Connections | Station Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37th Street/USC Station |
Metro Silver Line Metro Express: 460 Torrance Transit: 4 (M-F Peak Periods Only) LADOT Commuter Express: 438, 448 Orange County Transportation Authority: 701, 721 |
Metro Local: 81, 102, 200 Metro Express: 442, (M-F Peak Periods Only), 550 (Weekdays Rush Hour AM & PM peak periods only) USC Shuttle |
None |
| Slauson/I-110 Station |
Metro Silver Line Metro Express: 442 (M-F Peak Periods Only), 460, 550 (M-F Peak Periods Only) Torrance Transit: 4 (M-F Peak Periods Only) Orange County Transportation Authority: 701, 721 |
Metro Rapid: 745 Metro Local: 45, 81, 108, 358 LADOT DASH: Chesterfield Square |
151 Spaces |
| Manchester/I-110 Station |
Metro Silver Line Metro Express: 460, 550 (M-F Peak Periods only) Torrance Transit: 4 (M-F Peak Periods Only) Orange County Transportation Authority: 701, 721 |
Metro Rapid: 745 Metro Local: 45, 81, 115 |
247 Spaces |
Harbor Freeway/I-105 Station  |
Metro Silver Line Metro Express: 450 (Weekdays Rush Hour AM & PM peak periods only), 550 (Weekdays Rush Hour AM & PM peak periods only) Torrance Transit: 4 (M-F Peak Periods Only) LADOT Commuter Express: 448 Orange County Transportation Authority: 721 |
Metro Green Line Metro Rapid: 745 Metro Local: 45, 81, 120 Torrance Transit: 1, 2 Gardena Transit: 1X |
253 Spaces |
| Rosecrans/I-110 Station |
Metro Silver Line Metro Express: 550(Weekdays Rush Hour AM & PM peak periods only) Torrance Transit: 4 (M-F Peak Periods Only) |
Metro Local: 125 | 338 Spaces |
| Harbor Gateway Transit Center |
Metro Silver Line Metro Express: 450, 550 |
Metro Local: 52, 130, 205, 246, 344, 352 Torrance Transit: 1, 4 (M-F Peak Periods Only), 6 Carson Circuit: North / South Shuttle Gardena Transit: 1X, 2, 4 |
980 Spaces |
Freeway stations
| Station | Busway Level (Freeway Level) | Street Level Connections | Station Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson Station | Metro Silver Line |
Metro Local: 205 Metro Express: 550 Torrance Transit: 1, 3 Carson Circuit: F, S |
140 Spaces |
| Pacific Coast Highway Station | Metro Silver Line |
Metro Local: 205, 232 Metro Express: 550 LADOT Commuter Express: 448 LADOT DASH: Wilmington Torrance Transit: 7 |
244 Spaces |
Usage
Usage of the lanes and bus services has been low, but the Silver Line has helped raise ridership on the Harbor Transitway. The Metro Silver Line began service on December 13, 2010. Ridership is lower than the El Monte Busway, which is also served by the Metro Silver Line. A number of reasons have been identified: The main causes for the low ridership are the premium express fare charged to passengers compared to riders on the Blue Line and Metro Rapid (up to $1 more each way than a trip made on the Rapid or Blue Line),[citation needed] the isolated and noisy freeway environment of the stations, and the inconvenience of accessing the stations (and lack of surrounding buses) around the stations compared to surface level light rail or Rapid service. Ridership began increasing with the advent of the Metro Silver Line. In late June 2011, Metro Silver Line service frequency increased from 30 mins to 15 mins on Weekdays and on Saturdays, service increased from 60 mins to 40 mins. In the February 2012 Metro Express Lanes Program report, ridership on the Silver Line alone on the Harbor Transitway was 3,969.[7] The report revealed that ridership on the Metro Silver Line alone increased 43% from the June 2011 improved frequency of the Metro Silver Line. On June 17, 2012 Metro added the second phase of adding more service to the Silver Line. Weekday peak hour service was added for the Metro Silver Line (an improvement from 10 mins to 4-8 mins). Saturday, Sunday/Holiday service was added for the Silver Line (an improvement from 40 mins to 20 mins on Saturdays and from 60 mins to 30 mins on Sundays/Holidays).
Its main competitors are the Metro Blue Line to Long Beach and the Metro Rapid Line 745, just a block away on Broadway. Ridership on the Transitway is not officially tabulated because service on the Transitway consists of several Metro Express lines, two routes operated by the Orange County Transportation Authority, and services operated by the cities of Gardena, Los Angeles, and Torrance.[citation needed]
Usage of the express lanes by private vehicles has become high enough that speeds have decreased, leading to carpool-only restrictions during peak hours. To compensate, Metro is considering increasing the maximum toll from its current $1.40 per mile cap.[8]
Service history
Metro formerly included the Transitway in a bronze color in rail system maps, however, the line was not officially called the Metro Bronze Line.[9] Since the advent of the Metro Silver Line, the Harbor Transitway and El Monte Busway have both been designated by one continuous line in a silver color on Metro Rail system maps. All services Metro operates on the Harbor Transitway are sometimes referred to as Line 903, this allows the transitway running portions to be placed on one timetable since most buses serve all stations. This line designation is rarely used by residents, and also does not appear on signs. It was formerly known as Line 940 until Metro Rapid EXPRESS 940 came to existence.
With the introduction of the Silver Line in 2009 Metro Express Lines 444, 446–447, 484 and 490 were rerouted to provide connecting service to the Silver Line and were given new route numbers. The changes are as follows:
-
- Line 444 became Line 344, providing local service between the Harbor Gateway Transit Center and Palos Verdes Peninsula.
- Line 446/447 became Lines 246/247 (Line 247 was replaced by restructured Lines 205 and 450 in June 2011), providing local service between the Harbor Gateway Transit Center and San Pedro.
- Line 484 became Line 194, providing local serviced between Cal Poly Pomona and El Monte Station.
- Line 490 became Line 190, providing service between Cal Poly Pomona and El Monte Station. Connections to all Metro Rail Lines and major destinations in Downtown LA.
- Metro Silver Line provides connections to all Metro Rail lines, including the Gold and Red/Purple Lines at Union Station, Red/Purple, Blue, and Expo Lines at 7th/Metro and the Green Line at Harbor Freeway Station.
Incidents
On February 22, 2012 an incident occurred on the northbound Metro Silver Line platform during the afternoon. A vehicle struck the northbound platform of the Harbor Freeway (LACMTA Station) station served by the Silver Line. The Metro Silver Line bus was not hit by the private truck when it was entering the station.There were 6 passengers who were about aboard the Silver Line bus to Downtown LA as a vehicle struck the platform.[10] The 6 passengers received minor injuries. It took around 2 hours to clear up the scene. During the incident, the Metro Silver Line, Metro Express Lines: 450X and 550 were detoured to stop at Figueroa Street/Harbor FWY station entrance. There has never been an incident on the Harbor Transitway ever since it first opened on June 1998. As a result of the incident, Metro's CEO: Art Leahy asked Metro's safety committee to review the station layout and signage of the Silver Line stations on the Harbor Transitway portion. A report was scheduled within 60 days.[10] The report was complete during April 2012 .[11] Bollards were added during early August 2012 at the station. Bollards were also installed at the 37th Street/USC Metro Silver Line Station as well.
Photo gallery
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Slauson Silver Line Station 9.jpg
Slauson Silver Line Station freeway pedestrian bridge connected the station and the east side parking lot.
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Slauson Silver Line Station 12.jpg
The information stands were burly posted during November 2011.
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Slauson Silver Line Station 10.jpg
The Metro Silver Line has the highest passenger ridership on the Harbor Transitway portion. Metro Express Line 460 places in 2nd place.
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Harbor Freeway Green & Silver Lines Station 3.jpg
Metro Express Line 450X to San Pedro arriving at the Harbor Freeway Green/ Silver Lines station, lower level platform.
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Rosecrans Metro Silver Line Station 10.jpg
Rosecrans Silver Line Station southbound boarding platform.
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Harbor Gateway Transit Center- Silver Line 2.jpg
The Harbor Gateway Transit Center, with a Metro Silver Line bus parked at the station.
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Slauson & 1-110 Metro Silver Line Station- Picture 5.JPG
Metro Express Line 460 leaving Slauson Silver Line Station and is heading to Disneyland.
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Station security cameras and digital message signs for the Metro Silver Line currently being installed at the station as part of the Metro ExpressLanes project.
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Rosecrans Metro Silver Line Station 1.jpg
Rosecrans Silver Line Station, southbound platform with the stop sign.
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Harbor Freeway Metro Green & Silver Lines Station- Picture 2.JPG
Metro Silver Line soutbound platform at Harbor Freeway Station with bollards placed on the platform edge for passenger safety.
References
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- ↑ http://www.metro.net/projects/silverline/
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- ↑ [1] (PDF)
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Further reading
- Freeway Bus Station Area Development: Critical Evaluation and Design Guidelines. A Case Study of (I-110) Harbor Transitway Stations
- Highway Oriented Transit System: A Comprehensive Land Use/Transportation Strategy to Improve Transit Service Delivery. A Case Study of (I-110) Harbor Transitway Stations
- Dual Hub High Occupancy Vehicle Transitway A 1993 report by MTA prior to the construction of the transitway
- Harbor Transitway Map and Connections
- Harbor Transitway schedule
External links
- Metro ExpressLanes - includes FasTrak and other toll information for the HOT lanes
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