Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension opened over the weekend to much fanfare! blogdowntown reports:
Angelenos took to the rails on Sunday for opening day of the six-mile, $898-million Gold Line Eastside Extension. Metro estimates 75,000 Sunday boardings for the line, which connects Union Station with Little Tokyo, Boyle Heights and East L.A.
Metro’s own blog The Source has lots of photos and coverage of the opening, with posts about everything from a compilation video of the festivities to train-riding tweeters. In general, people seem quite happy with the new rail line. So far, the few complaints include:
>> The slow speed of light rail (The Transit Coalition’s boards) — though the ride should be getting a minute faster after software upgrades.
>> The lack of a bike network to support the rail line (Streetsblog LA)
>> The inconsistency of the rail maps, which recognizes cities and not neighborhoods — but makes an odd exception for Boyle Heights, a neighborhood that gets recognized. (Franklin Avenue)
My complaint’s that I still have to take the bus to get on any rail line, though we’re working to change that –
Photo by waltarrrrr
I rode with the 50,000 others. It was fun and festive. It got me to Boyle Heights (my first visit and I have lived in LA over 20 yrs and consider myself a pretty good explorer of the city) and the historic Mariachi Plaza. The 19th annual Mariachi Festival was going on the same day.
Pupusas in East LA for lunch, dinner in Little Tokyo, and a quick stop at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA (my first visit there too). So much easier to explore when you’re on foot, exiting from light rail!
Comment by Lisa T — November 19, 2009 @ 8:08 am
Sad to have missed the fun! Once people on the westside actually get a subway, I imagine we’ll be transfering to & using the Gold line a lot more :)
Comment by Siel — November 24, 2009 @ 5:56 pm