CALPIRG Blog

An important public transportation project in Los Angeles has taken big strides forward in recent weeks. The Wilshire Boulevard Bus-Only Lane Project would create dedicated bus lane service during rush hours, cutting travel time and increasing reliability.

This project is sorely needed. Wilshire Boulevard cuts through some of the busiest sections of Los Angeles. Bus ridership along Wilshire has soared in recent years. Despite rush hour service every eight minutes, the buses are packed. Meanwhile, the paralleling 10 freeway has bumper to bumper congestion. One can only imagine the congestion once the region adds an additional six million people by 2030.  Efficient, reliable transit that the Wilshire Bus-Only Lane will provide is the only way to cut through current and future gridlock.

The route will travel from the 110 freeway to the Santa Monica city line. Beyond cutting congestion, reducing air pollution, and providing fast transit travel, it will also repair the worn down boulevard.

This project is ten years in the making. With recent City Council approval, the project has moved into the environmental review process. CALPIRG is working hard to keep the project on track. It is time to provide more and better public transportation to the region.

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Los Angeles Metro is seeking public input until October 23, 2009. If interested, visit here to provide your thoughts or questions.