Increased Ridership Due to Gas Prices and the Economy

Has it really been three years since the Orange Line began regular operation in the San Fernando Valley? Per Metro.net, ridership on the Metro Orange Line has increased immensely from September 2007 to September 2008.

"At 27,987 average weekday boardings for September, the San Fernando Valley’s popular Metro Orange Line reached the highest boardings since the line opened in October 2005. Average weekday boardings on the Metro Gold Line reached 25,511 in September, which is more than a 30 percent increase compared with September 2007. Metro’s subway and Blue Line both experienced a nearly 10 percent increase in boardings, and Metro Green Line boardings grew by almost 12 percent. Metro directly operated bus boardings jumped 6.3 percent during the same year-over-year period."

While this is great news, I must address an issue concerning the amount of riders in comparison to the number and frequency of local buses in Los Angeles. Often times it is expected during certain times of the day (namely, rush hour) to not find a place to sit on the bus. However, at times whole buses are so full that buses need to pass on by, leaving crowds of people to wait on a street corner for the next bus to come - which often times isn't for another 15 or 30 minutes, if you're lucky.

Metro has gotten smart, allowing later and more frequent operation of trains and subways, making it less of a concern, say, if one is out past midnight and they're in need of getting home. But what about the local buses and their regular frequency - throughout the day? Apparently the argument revolves around three key elements: ridership, population, and availability. My opinion? If there are people around, especially in population-dense areas, there is a need for transport, no matter how late or how often. Practicality just isn't met when local lines are running every 30 minutes during rush hour. If you were one of the unfortunate people told that "the bus is too full; wait for the next one" - and you have to be at work in 10 minutes - it wouldn't be so convenient, would it? Say that you are the student whose night class ends at 9:45 pm and you have to wait for the next bus that will come an hour after the 9:41 you just missed. When local lines are ending their service at 8:00 and 9:00 pm, or running every hour (especially as the weather gets colder), it's just not good customer service.

This might just be my opinion, and my opinion only - but if it is shared by more than one, it begs to be addressed to the right person.