Beverly Press Park Labrea News: Bus riders have it made in the shade with grants

U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman, (D-Burbank) announced a pair of federal funding grants on July 7 to make riding public transportation cooler throughout Los Angeles.

The grants include $250,000 for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s regional Bus Stop Enhancement Program, which will add shade structures and shelters at bus stops to protect riders from the sun. An additional $250,000 will be provided for displays with departure and arrival times on the Metrolink system. The funds will improve the rider experience ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, Friedman said.

“If riders don’t feel safe and don’t know when their bus or train is coming, they won’t ride. It’s that simple,” Friedman said. “That’s why I’m so excited to announce these investments and others that I have been working on. The world shows up in 2028, the people who live here show up every single day, and they are who I am doing this for.”

Friedman said the upgrades to the Metro bus stops are particularly important as the transportation agency opens new lines and more commuters use the system. She said the D Line Extension project – which opened a first segment between Wilshire/Western and Wilshire/La Cienega in May and is projected to open to the Westwood/VA Hospital Station by the end of next year – marks a revolutionary period for public transportation in L.A. County.

“Los Angeles is moving. Just a few weeks ago, I was at the new Metro train stops along the Wilshire corridor which just opened, a wonderful new subway line underground taking people from downtown Los Angeles up Wilshire Boulevard to LACMA and all of those great destinations,” Friedman added. “We are building things in Los Angeles, and they are things to improve the lives of the people of Los Angeles.”

Timelines for installing the new shade structures and where they will be located were not provided, other than plans call for them to be in place before 2028. The project also includes seating, lighting and accessibility upgrades, and real-time arrival information so riders know when the next bus is coming. The second grant will upgrade Metrolink stations with modern displays showing arrival and departure times.

“A bus stop is more than just a pole and a sign. A train platform isn’t just a place to stand. They are how Angelenos get to work, school, the doctor or a night out, and they should be as excellent infrastructure as our residents deserve,” Friedman said. “For too long, we’ve asked too many of them to use transit without giving them the basics – a place to sit, some shade and clear information about when their ride is coming.“

Metro Chief Planning Officer Ray Sosa said the improvements will bring relief to a large segment of public transportation riders, a majority of whom primarily use the bus system.

“Busses make up the backbone of our regional economy. They take essential workers to their jobs, get kids to school and get people to their doctor’s appointment – all for just $1.75 each way, and it can be even less if you are enrolled in our Go Pass Life or other reduced fare programs,” Sosa said. “These improvements are designed to make taking the bus more accessible, safer and more comfortable, particularly for those who depend on our bus busses the most.”

Local leaders said the improvements are important as Los Angeles prepares for the Olympic Games. Safety and a positive rider experience are key to the success of the system.

“The D Line extension has already been transformational for Miracle Mile, and the next step is making sure people can get to the new stations safely and comfortably,” Los Angeles City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, 5th District, said. “Investing in buses, shade, seating, accessibility and real-time information is how we build a transit network that works. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Friedman for delivering federal resources that strengthen the system our constituents rely on every day.”