2020 was a challenging year for transit in LA as ridership dropped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, transit projects still made progress towards their completion, including these that will provide more convenient transportation options for Angelenos and Bruins in 2021.
Crenshaw/LAX Line
The long-awaited Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project is expected to be completed this year, which will stretch from the E Line (Expo) station at Crenshaw and Exposition Boulevards to the Metro C Line (Green) at the Aviation/LAX Station in El Segundo. Bruins will have a new way to get to campus by taking the new line with a transfer to the E Line and then connecting to campus by bus.
Once the Airport Metro Connector Transit Station is completed in 2023, it will finally provide a direct transit link to LAX by connecting with the Automated People Mover, an electric train system that will shuttle passengers around the airport from terminal to terminal.
NextGen Bus Plan
Last October, Metro's Board of Directors approved the NextGen plan to restructure Metro's bus system, which will increase the frequency of buses, improve service on most routes, and put more buses in areas with the greatest demand. The plan began to be implemented last month with most of the changes slated to occur this June.
If you ride one of the Metro bus lines that serve UCLA, see how the NextGen plan will impact your commute.
Metro Micro on Demand
In December, Metro launched its first on-demand ride-hailing service with Metro Micro, which offers rides in smaller vehicles within a designated zone. Rides can be booked through a mobile app, internet browser, or Metro's call center, and costs only $1 per ride for the first six months in each zone.
The service is already active in the Watts/Willowbrook and LAX/Inglewood areas, and will expand to Compton/Artesia, El Monte, and North Hollywood on January 25. Future expansion to the UCLA/VA Medical Center/Century City area is expected later this year.
TAP Cards on Android Phones
Last year, the ability to pay fares using a virtual TAP card came to iPhones and Apple Watches. Once a TAP card is added to Apple Wallet, fare can be deducted with just a wave of the device near the TAP dial. This year, that ability will finally come to Android phones along with the safety that comes with making contactless payments.
Photo Credit: LA Metro
