Too many backstage political snags right now at Metro (as MTA now prefers to be called) for them to share car types (Siemens, Breda, etc.) opening ends-of-line or dates, much less share radio frequencies, some of which concern positive train separation. Tour the ex-SP Santa Monica Branch soon before the west end is fully erased, though.
[www.youtube.com]

Expo construction manager Steve Moini (FCP/Fluor/Parsons) has said new cars are needed for any Expo service since the Blue Line is at capacity and that the initial stretch is currently slated to open between June and September 2011. Such cars would lay over just north of Washington Blvd. atop the ex-PE south Four Tracks and incorporate the current set out track at Washington station, with future room for 24 cars. Davide Puglisi has said at least six months' lead time is necessary for the required cars but no bids have been let yet. No word yet on whether the first bit will only open to Crenshaw in order to let the Farmdale station be finished quicker. Had the MTA not delayed Farmdale over controversy, the line would have only opened to La Cienega since the Venice/Robertson end of Phase 1 still hasn't made up any time in the construction schedule. Expo Phase 2 is finally okayed for Rancho Park and Colorado Av. alignments (instead of the Venice and Sepulveda Blvd plus in Santa Monica along Olympic alternatives. An interesting yellow/lunar/numerical timer signal is at the end of the Blue Line platform at 7th/Metro station, needed for when the combined Blue and Expo Line are sharing double track to Flower and Washington.
[thesource.metro.net]

[rail.buildexpo.org]

Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is pressing to have the 30/10 initiative expedite Measure R funding for local rail transit. His two priorities are extending the Purple subway to UCLA and the Regional Connector, which would through-route Blue and Expo trains with the Pasadena and East LA Gold Lines for single seat service. The fully underground connector wouldn't open till 2020 but 30/10 could have it going in 2015.
[thesource.metro.net]

[www.metro.net]

[dirt.asla.org]