AEG Proposes Nighttime DASH Route
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — LADOT is working with AEG to develop a nighttime DASH route that would connect LA Live and the Music Center, providing service until midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings. DOT would provide the DASH buses, but private companies would be expected to provide for all operating costs.
Councilmembers Jan Perry and Wendy Greuel submitted a motion asking DOT to report on options for late night DASH service back in July.
Service would run on Friday and Saturday evenings, from the close of regular DASH service until midnight. Thursday night service would be considered if the necessary funding could be raised.
The proposed draft route would be a loop connecting LA Live and the Music Center. Service would head north on Figueroa from Pico, taking a right turn at 1st street, a right at Grand, a right at 7th, a left onto Flower, and completing the circuit by turning right at Pico.
Stops would be at Figueroa/12th, Figueroa/11th, Figueroa/Olympic, Figueroa/9th, Figueroa/7th, Figueroa/5th, Figueroa/3rd, 1st/Grand, Grand/2nd, Grand/4th, Grand/5th, Grand/6th, 7th/Hope, Flower/9th and Pico/Flower.
The route would offer greatly increased connectivity between hotels and nightlife options, but the new service would do little for Downtown residents.
Expansions of DASH service have been stymied by a significant deficit in Proposition A funding, which provides for the bulk of the city's transit funding. DOT estimates that the funding deficit will total $118 million over upcoming years.
DOT is in the process of estimating costs for the new route. Once costs are known, AEG and LA Inc. will begin to approach businesses and property owners to secure funding for the new service.
Brian on September 02, 2008, at 02:11PM – #1
Because of my location to these sites I will probably never use the service, but for those that will .... midnight and two nights a week?
That's not exactly making it easy for people to flock into downtown for music events or anything at LA Live.
LAofAnaheim on September 02, 2008, at 02:30PM – #2
It's more like, take the DASH there and take the taxi back home. Great idea! However, I think it should mimic the proposed streetcar loop to get our Historic Core residents on board.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on September 02, 2008, at 02:35PM – #3
You have to keep in mind that the route's being backed by LA Live and LA Inc, both of which would likely hold hotels as a bigger win than the Historic Core. The streetcar planning is more about economic development, and long-term value.
Sandie Richards on September 03, 2008, at 10:24AM – #4
"It would do little for downtown residents..." unless, of course, you live or work in South Park! As someone who has walked the long trek from Flower/Olympic to the Music Center/Disney Hall and back on more than one occassion, or driven the distance and paid a lot for parking, I am thrilled about this plan.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on September 03, 2008, at 10:41AM – #5
Sandie: You're right, of course. But even so, if residents were really in the consideration you would think that they could get a stop somewhere around Flower/11th. That gets Met Lofts, and 11th gives proximity to South Group's buildings. It's still a draft, though, so it's quite possible that sort of thing could happen (particularly if South Group were to put in some money, I'd reckon).
Jonathan on September 03, 2008, at 10:21PM – #6
As a Promenade Tower resident, this will be nice to go to the LA Live movie theater/restaurant/bars down on that side of downtown...
JM on September 04, 2008, at 12:46PM – #7
As another Bunker Hill resident, I would welcome this development. More DASH options after 6:30 would be great.