Metro Rapid 720 Adding Stop at Central
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
A Metro 720 rapid bus passes through the intersection of 6th and Spring on Monday evening.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Sometimes all you have to do is ask.
Metro's 720 rapid bus will soon be adding a new stop at 6th and Central, all because Daveed Kapoor bothered to ask the agency to do so.
Kapoor noticed that Metro's 720 rapid bus passed through Downtown on 6th street but made no stops between Main and Soto, on the other side of the river. He thought it would make perfect sense for the line to stop at Central, serving both the Arts District and Central City East.
At the end of March, Kapoor sent a map showing the potential stop off to various elected officials, including the Mayor, Councilman Jose Huizar, Planning head Gail Goldberg and CRA head Cecilia Estolano.
Then he attended Metro's board meeting on April 23, stepping up during public comment to pass out his map and ask the board to add the stop. Kapoor says that board members Don Knabe and Huizar both spoke in favor of the idea, and agreed to study it.
This morning, Kapoor got an email from Metro.
Mr. Kapoor,
At the April 23, 2009 Board meeting, you made a request to have a stop installed at Central Avenue on Line 720. This location met the Rapid service warrant criteria and will be added effective Sunday, May 10, 2009.
That should be good news to Yxta Cocina and workers at the American Apparel factory nearby.
As for Kapoor, this isn't the end of his transit plans. "Now my next battle is for expanded weekend and night service + 10 bus only lanes to connect Greater LA," he wrote in an email today.
Benjamin Pezzillo on May 04, 2009, at 08:25PM – #1
This is a great story but I am amazed there was not a 720 stop at 6th/Central already given the bus yard there.
Don Garza on May 04, 2009, at 10:06PM – #2
It was about time.... Jose Huizar seems to be very responsive to the needs of the arts district and central city east when it comes to bus service... Many have complained about this issue of 720 stopping in skid row... it is good to know Jose Huizar continues to not listen to the stereotypical squeals of those not wanting skid row residents to ride the same buses as everyone else..this is good , it will alleviate the congestion on the e dash...
Greensmark on May 05, 2009, at 08:38AM – #3
Cheers to Mister Kapoor! Now if he could get the Metro.net siter to be as responsive. Have you ever tried to get the stops along the route for any bus line? Impossible! And the "trip planner" is a joke!
Grnmrk
Dana Gabbard on May 05, 2009, at 11:54AM – #4
I know this will make me unpopular, but I am not sure this is a good idea. The value of the rapids is their speed as a function of having limited stops. Adding stops may be good for access but should be weighed against undermining its key attribute.
The political angle also disturbs. I am not naive, but often polticians will grandstand to some myopic concern that doesn't make sense in the big picture.
Daveed Kapoor on May 05, 2009, at 12:18PM – #5
it will only stop if riders are there who want to get on or off - otherwise it will just zoom by.
Stephen on May 05, 2009, at 02:21PM – #6
It will also serve the Greyhound Station near 7th/Alameda.
Bert Green on May 05, 2009, at 09:53PM – #7
I think the stop is a good idea. The Rapids are great, they provide much faster service than local buses but sometimes if the stops are too far apart, like Main and Soto are, it actually causes more delays for riders who have to transfer to a local bus. Most Rapid stops are far apart, but not so far that they can't be walked. Soto and Main are much further apart than that.
Dana Gabbard on May 06, 2009, at 03:08PM – #8
I am afraid that is not an accurate description of what adding a stop does to the performance. Bus operators anticipate stops, especially for a line like the Metro Rapid 720 where it has wide spaces between them. That means they likely will be tending more toward the inner lane, perhaps even slowing a bit near Central. All this degrades speed and productivity.
"it will only stop if riders are there who want to get on or off - otherwise it will just zoom by."
Dana Gabbard on May 06, 2009, at 03:11PM – #9
Sorry, I meant tending more toward the outer lane, in case they have to pull over to serve the stop. And that lane often is more crowded, therefore slowing down the bus.
LoveDowntownLA on May 06, 2009, at 04:02PM – #10
Kudos to Daveed Kapoor! This is a dream come true! You dont know how grateful we are to you! This is great news for locals in the area. Its extremely frustrating when four to six 720 buses zoom by while waiting 15-20 minutes for one local bus and possibly waiting longer to connect to the 720 further downtown.
pesach kremen on May 06, 2009, at 05:33PM – #11
Seamless transit is the key. The fact that now there is a stop near Greyhound is good so riders can link from one system to another. Now what is needed is an easy transit connection from Union Station to Greyhound (5am-1am Dash route?)
Vero Queero on May 07, 2009, at 09:33AM – #12
I question the effectiveness of the Rapids. When they started a few years back, the buzz was that they not only had fewer stops but that they employed transponders on board which would communicate with the traffic signals ahead, giving them more green lights. Granted I've only been on one Rapid, line 780 from Hollywood to Eagle Rock, but I can't tell you how many red lights we stopped at. For most of the route, we trailed its "sister" local line, the 180. I thought it was a glorified express bus, no more...oh, and easier to spot because it's red. In conclusion, it's probably not making much of a negative impact as far as "speed" goes to have the extra stop at Central.
Bert Green on May 07, 2009, at 12:10PM – #13
Not all the Rapids have the green light technology yet. I ride the 720 pretty regularly and it is much faster than the local, by a lot. It helps that it is a straight shot down Wilshire, while the 780 travels a lot of separate, congested streets all the way to Pasadena from Fairfax.
Ken Ruben on May 07, 2009, at 03:41PM – #14
Dana is right (and by the way in this era of full disclosure, we know each other well).
I ride both the 720 and 20 and of course, the 720 is faster (I mainly ride between Vermont/Western and Fairfax).
However, there are times when if it takes a while for either to come, say at Wilshire and Normandie going west, I will take the FIRST bus arriving regardless of the 720 speed factor. Better to be on a bus going somewhere than waiting forever, etc.
Thanks for taking the time to read my post.
Dana Gabbard on May 08, 2009, at 02:22PM – #15
The purpose of the transponders is for the Rapids to maintain the interval between buses. If it is falling behind lights will keep green so it can reach the farside location they usually have their stops at. And it is being implemented as Metro is able to fund upgrading the traffic control systems of the various cities the Rapids operate in.
LoveDowntownLA on May 11, 2009, at 09:38AM – #16
Telephoned and emailed the following message to their customer relations department this morning: There's a new Metro Rapid 720 stop at 6th & Central (West Bound Buses) and 6th & Kohler (East Bound Buses), but bus operators are not stopping. Can you please remind them of this new stop. I understand that its easy for the operators to miss since the new stop was just added this Sunday, May 10th. It would be great if you can send out reminders throughout the day to remind them for the next week or so. (Metro Comment #4342).
Daveed Kapoor on May 11, 2009, at 09:48AM – #17
720 picked me up at Central yesterday! Will call & send reminders, all the drivers will get the message soon.
Guest on May 04, 2010, at 12:58PM – #18
great info!
bigphatcatlover on May 05, 2010, at 10:56AM – #19
Daveed Kapoor: Way to go! It's so great to hear about people taking the initiative to make positive change. I admire anyone who can get through all the walls and red tape. Also - kudo's to Metro. Anything that will encourage public transit and get us out of our cars is a good thing!
FLEA on May 05, 2010, at 12:31PM – #20
Wow! How encouraging to see what a difference one person can make. Take note fellow downtowners. And in regards to Greensmark's comment regarding metro.net trip planner "Metro.net siter to be as responsive. Have you ever tried to get the stops along the route for any bus line? Impossible! And the "trip planner" is a joke!" Can't imagine what the problem is. I use this service constantly and find it easy and accurate. Maybe call them or contact them via email for some help. Might not be using it correctly.