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Re: LA Union Station construction - Why now ???
Author: BOB2
Date: 11-01-2011 - 15:38
Why now? More OC LA services Metrolink all day commuter shuttles being implemented by OCTA by 2012, which will require more staging at LAUPT. The additional staging tracks for equipment along the LA River recently completed are part of this, too.
Why the need for LAUPT run through? Because backing in and out, and even changing ends on pushpull can add up to 15 minutes of delay on commute and Amtrak turnaround at the Station. The route "around the jail" is also longer, slower, and a run through would save significant running time and expand Union Station capacity up to 3 fold with a six track run through option.
LAUPT is reaching rush hour crush operational capacity, as a stub end terminal, with or without the potential for more suburb to suburb "run through" direct services, on Metrolink or LOSSAN. So the run through is definitely needed as train volumes and passenger demand continue to increase.
Recently, some fairly ignorant CLA staffers have been bleating fearful nonsense that "run through" services somehow would "bypass" LA and have ginned up some fairly ignorant opposition to the run through by pols who have been told such twaddle. It is more likely that if the run through isn't built, LAUPT will shortly reach peak operational capacity, and then more people won't be able to get into or out of Union Station, even if there destination is downtown LA.
Capacity issues affect internal circulation at LAUPT, especially in the pedestrian tunnel, which is almost at peak capacity, as well. Extension of the Gold Line, connection of the LRT system in the cross town connector, and extension of the subway and Expo will also add more pedestrian pressure to LAUPT. Bus traffic is also having capacit constraints, which is causing Metro to add a new Silver Line (El Monte Busway) Station south of the East Portal Patsouras Bus Plaza, to improve LAUPT connectivity to those services.
Those of us who remember the pedestrian passage around 1971 are always impressed these days by the sheer crush of commuters and Amtrak passengers using LAUPT today. Now we have the "problem" of too many folks using the trains these days at LAUPT......?????? Go figure.....
Why the need for LAUPT run through? Because backing in and out, and even changing ends on pushpull can add up to 15 minutes of delay on commute and Amtrak turnaround at the Station. The route "around the jail" is also longer, slower, and a run through would save significant running time and expand Union Station capacity up to 3 fold with a six track run through option.
LAUPT is reaching rush hour crush operational capacity, as a stub end terminal, with or without the potential for more suburb to suburb "run through" direct services, on Metrolink or LOSSAN. So the run through is definitely needed as train volumes and passenger demand continue to increase.
Recently, some fairly ignorant CLA staffers have been bleating fearful nonsense that "run through" services somehow would "bypass" LA and have ginned up some fairly ignorant opposition to the run through by pols who have been told such twaddle. It is more likely that if the run through isn't built, LAUPT will shortly reach peak operational capacity, and then more people won't be able to get into or out of Union Station, even if there destination is downtown LA.
Capacity issues affect internal circulation at LAUPT, especially in the pedestrian tunnel, which is almost at peak capacity, as well. Extension of the Gold Line, connection of the LRT system in the cross town connector, and extension of the subway and Expo will also add more pedestrian pressure to LAUPT. Bus traffic is also having capacit constraints, which is causing Metro to add a new Silver Line (El Monte Busway) Station south of the East Portal Patsouras Bus Plaza, to improve LAUPT connectivity to those services.
Those of us who remember the pedestrian passage around 1971 are always impressed these days by the sheer crush of commuters and Amtrak passengers using LAUPT today. Now we have the "problem" of too many folks using the trains these days at LAUPT......?????? Go figure.....
