Clyde on October 30, 2009, at 04:00PM – #1

I was just commenting today on how easy it would now be to get from downtown to La Serenata di Garibaldi and plan to go their often now that I can just hop on the subway/train.

Clyde on October 30, 2009, at 04:35PM – #4

Eric, 5th & Spring so probably Pershing Square.

Bert Green on October 30, 2009, at 04:41PM – #5

I go to Boyle Heights now and then, and East LA College once in a while, and sometimes take the bus, sometimes drive. I'll now only use the train, and will go more often too. I live at 5th & Main and will probably walk or take DASH part of the way to 1st and Alameda and pick it up there.

I've also been asked to consult with some arts people in Boyle Heights to help them start an arts district along 1st St, just west of Soto. I'll take the train to those meetings.

Tim on October 30, 2009, at 05:54PM – #6

Unlike other cities, rail transfers are not free here. So I don't expect to use this line until the downtown connector is built, or L.A. rethinks its rail transfer policy, or I do jury duty again (instead of paid mileage, you can request a weekly transit pass. Nothing like a free transit pass to encourage exploring.)

loveandhatela on October 30, 2009, at 06:42PM – #8

I will take the Montebello bus-line 10 (i live in Montebello) then get off at Beverly and Atlantic and walk over to the Atlantic station.

I love it because now i don't have to walk the 1/2 mile to the Coffee Bean at 3rd and Mednik, now i just hop on at Atlantic station and get off at the East LA civic center station. I know its a short distance but on a hot summer day with no shade it makes a difference.

And regarding the "no free transfers" just get a monthly pass or better yet- get a day pass, for you car drivers that are "METRO curious"-its only still $5.

I think very quickly they will surpass their estimated 13,000 daily riders.

nanorich on October 30, 2009, at 08:25PM – #9

These days it cost five bucks to start your car.

peenee on October 30, 2009, at 10:04PM – #11

re Bert Green:

i googled map atlantic station and looked up how far it's from east la college. it doen't look very close and it always sucks when you have to walk under a freeway over pass and on-ramp.

i think the ridership will be about 2,800- 3,000 more; as of right now glod line's ridership is at 4,850 per day (mon- fri) that would bring the total to 7,750 per day.

Tim on October 31, 2009, at 09:38AM – #12

In response to Sukari Keetin:

Only $5? I shop for groceries at the 99 cent store. I have never put "only" and "$5" in the same sentence in my life.

Robert on October 31, 2009, at 12:20PM – #13

Peenee: Where do you get the 4,950 per day currently on the Gold Line. MTA in August show ridership at 24,000 per day on the weekdays and 21,000 per day including weekends on the Gold Line.

http://www.metro.net/news_info/ridership_avg.htm

Joe on October 31, 2009, at 06:48PM – #14

Can't wait for it to open. So happy to have a fairly easy way to access better Mexican food on the other side of the river. Maybe the downtown Mex restaurants will step up their game since most are mediocre.

Vero Queero on November 01, 2009, at 10:24PM – #18

Can't wait to explore, Red Line at 7th Metro to Union Station to transfer. I'll probably be alone, I can't even get my neighbors to "go all the way to" the Arts District.

Rich Alossi on November 02, 2009, at 11:18AM – #19

I'll definitely ride. Having the Gold Line stop in Little Tokyo is just one more plus to a great neighborhood, and I've been considering making a move there. Can we rename it Little Tokyo/Arts District/Wurstkuche Station?

There's a few restaurants around Soto Station that I've been spying as I go past.

Brigham Yen on November 02, 2009, at 12:30PM – #20

Even though I live in Pasadena, I will definitely find this new extension a huge plus for me as I plan on making many more direct trips to Little Tokyo (I love Japanese food!)/Arts District and now being able to explore Boyle Heights/East LA more often (even though Pasadena already has some great Mexican joints: El Metate, Tacos De Estella).

Zo on November 02, 2009, at 12:43PM – #21

Coming from 6th/Spring, I can either hit Pershing Sq. station, or just take a brisk walk over to LT station. I plan on using it to get to Eastside Luv on given days for happy hour, moreso to grab cemitas at Elvirita (killer) for lonche, maybe catch a show at Casa 0101, and to finally grab some produce at the East Los Farmer's Market on Fridays! Hijole, this is undoubtedly a great option for us who would rather not use a car, or don't have one. A major step up!

David Kennedy on November 02, 2009, at 03:31PM – #22

Definitely add King Taco at the Maravilla station to the list of restaurants to check out.

http://www.kingtaco.com/locations/store_0102.html

They definitely need to update their photo since the station is right across from the street.

Brigham Yen on November 02, 2009, at 06:12PM – #23

David Kennedy, there is also a King Taco in Old Town Pasadena right off the Memorial Park Gold Line Station.

http://www.kingtaco.com/locations/store_0121.html

Jesse Sanchez on November 03, 2009, at 02:02PM – #26

I have been waiting for this extension to open so I can ride from Highland Park straight into Little Tokyo. I can finally do the Sake Bombs since I don't have to drive anymore.

Also Mariachi Plaza for some music, and I will be hitting up the Mexican restaurants in the Eastside much more frequently.

Thank god (and the city & county of LA and the MTA) for this extension

Brigham Yen on November 03, 2009, at 03:25PM – #27

The LT station will also benefit the residents at Savoy, Artisan, and Mura tremendously. They'll be able to hop on the train to go to both Pasadena and East LA directly.

Belinda Gomez on November 03, 2009, at 10:35PM – #28

"My prediction: The Gold Line extension will usher in the gentrification of Boyle Heights."

But the folks who live there aren't exactly panting for an influx of Anglo hipsters. If anything, people are dreading it, and while Molina's a big whiner, parents have been very concerned about the above ground trains. And while the Art Walk etc, are all well-intentioned, I'd rather see the area retain its own character, rather than become a clone of Silverlake/Echo Park, Atwater etc.

King Taco in Pasadena is the worst in the chain.

Donk on November 03, 2009, at 11:37PM – #29

Thomas, are you seriously agreeing with Gloria Molina? Every statement uttered out of her mouth is irrational and just plain wrong.

She is wrong again on this tirade that she repeats over and over again - the Gold Line Eastside extenstion is 6 miles long with 8 new stations. The proposed Red Line MOS 3 eastside extension was 3.7 miles long with 4 stations. The Gold Line will be completed in 2 weeks. The Red Line Eastside extension would not have been finished for AT LEAST 5 more years (due to the tunneling ban).

Therefore the Eastside gets a line with twice the distance and twice the number of stops 5 years early. This isn't such a bad deal. Plus part of the line is a subway. The downtown connector and eastside gold line extension Phase II are now in planning phases. In the end the eastside will have way more than the original plans offered, but Gloria will continue to play the victim card since that is the only way she knows how to communicate.

Bert Green on November 05, 2009, at 12:14PM – #31

The people who have asked me to help them organize an Arts district in Boyle Heights are all 1st St. locals. This is not about gentrification, rather it is about strengthening the local scene and helping it develop a public identity. The Gold Line will bring more people. If the local scene is strong and vibrant, more of the benefits will flow to the existing residents.

David Kennedy on November 11, 2009, at 06:52PM – #32

This is a very useful list of restaurants located near the Goldline.

www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-goldline11b-2009nov11,0,4084038.story?page=1

Babs on November 12, 2009, at 07:07AM – #33

Given the local, state and federal fiscal situations (meltdowns), we ought to be realistic about what can be financed. LA will be lucky to pull together enough financing for the Red Line extension (Westside Extension) that will be located on THE most congested corridor with THE most bus riders in the region and an area that has received no fixed transit resources as of yet despite its congestion and high ridership).

It is not realistic to think that subways can be built everywhere. To Supervisor Molina we can all say that the EASTSIDE has not been treated unfairly - just look at the EXPO Light Rail Line currently under construction. Not only is it being built at grade, but it passes busy streets, schools, and has NO underground subway portions. The Eastside Gold Line has a subway section that protects an established business community and a street that was likely too narrow to accommodate the light rail being at grade.) People (including school children) around the country and world live with light rail lines and learn how to cross safely just as they learn to cross the street safely. (In today's world what they really need to understand and be taught is that to be safe crossing the street OR the tracks they will need to remove the cell phone from their ear and pay attention to traffic (car and/or light rail).

Give people some credit for some ability to act reasonably and invest your efforts on extending the various transit lines further into the metro area (rather than challenging them) so that people have some realistic options for commuting as gasoline prices rise and congestion worsens. To those who scream that light rail is environmental injustice (or environmental racism), we all must say that that is a bunch of hogwash. Environmental racism is having communities and the people that live in them ISOLATED from good jobs, from having access to educational opportunities and cultural resources. Our city is becoming more and more isolated and neighborhoods segregated because of the traffic and difficulties in navigating a metro area as large as the LA basin. Folks living here in the mid 1900's had better public transportation options with the RED LINE and street car systems than many of us do now! It is time to stop wishing for subways everywhere and time to work to see that the light rail lines are built RIGHT. Yes, safety measures must be included and grade separations needed where impacts on traffic warrant it, but a light rail line is not meant to be a subway. Delays only cost us all by raising construction costs and delaying our use of these much-needed transit services. If you don't want to ride, don't ride. Drive your kids to school and to the library and to the beach. Drive to work. But, don't stop all of those who will use and want these transit options. LA is years behind most other metro areas and has a lot of catching up to do to build a true system of connecting lines. We've got to do all we can do to make it work for the long haul.

Vero Queero on November 13, 2009, at 05:54PM – #34

Babs: don't forget the sales tax increase that we passed and took effect 7/1/09. Some of it is earmarked for the Westside. Yes, somehow funds get rerouted but for now, they are in the plan. And I'm not so sure they weren't in the mix before--every time something is proposed, there is staunch NIMBYism galore on the Westside. The second phase of the Expo line is being rerouted by the powerful Cheviot Hills owners association. Those are the very same people who employ domestic help which could benefit the most from a rail line & station near that spot, but they'd rather see them crowd onto a cross-town bus. No big, ugly trains will pass too close to their homes. Sorry, I digressed--I lived not far from Cheviot HIlls until I moved Downtown 2 1/2 years ago.