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Los Angeles Breaks Ground on Purple Line Subway Extension


The long awaited groundbreaking for work on Los Angeles’s Purple Line Extension commenced. The project is expected to open in 2023.

November 8, 2014 - The Source

Friday Funny: Bringing Back the '80s to Pitch Transit Apps

Metro Los Angeles produced a retro-style music video to raise awareness about transit app options in Los Angeles. Miami Vice wardrobes and Atari-grade graphics contribute to the cause.

October 17, 2014 - Metro Los Angeles

Ready and Waiting: New Law Makes Light Rail Possible in the San Fernando Valley

In another example of Los Angeles slowly unraveling itself from prior legislation that hinder its transit goals, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill that will allow light rail construction in the San Fernando Valley.

July 13, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Metro Subway Los Angeles

$2.1 Billion in Federal Transit Funding for the 'Subway to the Sea' in Los Angeles

Los Angeles will receive its largest-ever federal grant, $1.25 billion, to help fund the Purple Line subway, aka the "Subway to the Sea." Also on its way is an $856 million loan from the TIFIA program.

May 22, 2014 - Los Angeles Daily News

Massive Bus System Overhaul Proposed for Houston

Houston has proposed a large-scale overhaul of the Metro bus system. Based primarily on a high-frequency grid, the proposed plan would make sweeping changes to routes, nomenclature, and more. The plan will be a "must watch" for planners.

May 12, 2014 - Houston Chronicle

Metro Subway Los Angeles

Making Metro Cool

Michael Lejeune is the creative director for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and as such he's tasked with making transit cool in a city that long worshipped the automobile.

May 12, 2014 - KCRW - DnA

Music to the Subway Rider’s Ears

James Murphy has composed a “Subway Symphony”—a unique set of notes for each station in NYC’s Metro system that would sound when users swipe their fare cards. “The busier a station becomes, the richer the harmonies would be.”

February 25, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

L.A. Breaks Ground on New Light Rail Line as Pols Debate Airport Connection

Tuesday was a day of celebration in South L.A. as officials broke ground on the 8.5-mile Crenshaw Line, the newest addition to the region's expanding transit network. But just two days later, politicians resumed bickering over how to connect to LAX.

January 25, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Will 2014 Bring a New Transit Tax Push in L.A.?

Los Angeles area officials are discussing options for placing a new transportation funding measure before voters. A similar effort in 2012 failed to pass the necessary 67 percent threshold by less than 16,000 votes (out of nearly 2 million cast).

January 1, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

The Dangers of Drunk Riding

In the wee hours of tomorrow morning, many partiers will turn to public transit to get home after a night of New Year's revelry. But beware, there is such a thing as being too drunk to ride the rails, warns D.C.'s Metro system.

December 31, 2013 - The Washington Post

Paris Metro Gift Wrapped

Holiday Spirit Invades Paris Metro

During the holiday season, cities go to great lengths to turn their streets, homes and businesses into festive places. But underneath the streets, subways tend to look to same day in and day out. French artists have brought the holidays underground.

December 25, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Will L.A.'s "Less is More" Approach to Station Design be a Bore?

After 25 years of scattershot station design, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is bringing rationality and consistency to the design of three new rail projects. A "kit of parts" has been designed by Johnson Fain.

December 23, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

D.C. Metro's Plan to Relieve Congestion: Focus on Existing Network

In what might be viewed as a transit version of "fix-it-first", Metro will focus on alleviating congestion within the existing system rather than pursue costly regional expansions. Plans for ten new stations and a new tunnel are being considered.

December 21, 2013 - The Washington Post

L.A. Union Station's Pilot Program Discriminates Against Subway Passengers

Los Angeles’s Union Station is trying something new to keep the homeless at bay: restricting waiting room seating to ticketed passengers.

December 15, 2013 - LA Streetsblog

Metro Expansion Map

Map of D.C. Metro Expansion Plans Unveiled

A preliminary map of D.C. Metro's long-term expansion plans that was unveiled this week has riders salivating at the prospect of a station finally being built in Georgetown. A third line could serve Virginia.

December 7, 2013 - WAMU

Greensboro Station on Metro's Silver line near Tyson's Corner

Completion of D.C. Subway Expansion has Commuters Wondering: "Where Will I Park?"

When four new stops along Metro's Silver Line open soon in northern Virginia, a familiar sight will be missing: a sea of commuter parking. While smart growth advocates applaud the omission, some commuters and nearby residents are concerned.

November 30, 2013 - The Washington Post

D.C.'s Metro Pursues Joint Development Opportunities Around Five Stations

With developers clamoring to build near D.C.'s expanding subway network, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is seeking to cash in on its real estate holdings.

November 6, 2013 - The Washington Post

D.C.'s Guerrilla Gardener Gets His Revenge

Many D.C. commuters were saddened to learn in July that hundreds of flowers surreptitiously planted at an area Metro station would be removed by officials. But has the city's "Phantom Planter" had the last laugh?

October 29, 2013 - The Washington Post

How the Routing of Washington's Metro Led to Arlington's Success

In the premier episode of NPR's special series, "U.S. Commutes: The Way We Get To Work", host David Greene explores the background of the D.C. suburb of Arlington, Va., and how a planning decision in the 1960s was crucial to its vibrancy today.

October 26, 2013 - NPR

fisheye photo of DC subway in station

Too Much TOD Set to Strain D.C.'s Subway

New development is poised to add thousands of riders to D.C.'s Metro, but rush hour trains are often packed already. Though Metro has proposed $6 billion in fixes, some see better land use planning across the area as the key to solving the problem.

October 15, 2013 - The Washington Post

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