Joel Covarrubias on November 16, 2009, at 06:12PM – #3

Thanks for calling it by its name, the Gold Line Eastside Extension. curbedla refuses to call it that, instead referring to it as the "Gold Line extension into Little Tokyo, Boyle Heights, and East LA".

Susan K on November 17, 2009, at 10:05AM – #5

I suppose it was nice if you didn't have to travel through Union Station. We were forced to get off the train at Union, and then told to wait in a ridiculously long line so that we could continue our journey. We went back to our car and drove to where we needed to be instead. It was a really bad logistics move on the part of Metro planning. If I weren't already a Metro rider, I'd be apt to swear off public transit. I've had great experiences with Metro (eg. U2 at the Rosebowl was very smooth) but I understand why people are so attached to their cars in LA.

Susana Benavidez on November 17, 2009, at 10:59AM – #6

We went to the Mariachi Plaza and I showed M and the girls around Boyle Heights. It brought back a lot of pleasant memories and I have two places I want scope out without the kiddos: Eastside Luv Wine Bar and Garibaldi. I feel embarassed to admit that I have never been to the one Mexican restaurant all of my non-Boyle Heights friends know about but it might have something to do with the fact that I couldn't afford it when I did live in the area.

It was exciting to see so many people- there was standing only room on the trains and even though the rides were free that day I'm sure that they will soon be to the brim with employees that need access to the downtown area including my dad.

I will be taking the train to go visit my parents and to visit my old neighborhood. I wish L.A. was full of trains (underground) but this is a major step forward. Hopefully a real shopping area and entertainment center will come to Boyle Heights soon.

on November 17, 2009, at 04:02PM – #8

Susan,

Metro had additional cars for the trip from Union Station to East Los Angeles to handle opening day crowds, so they split the line just for Sunday. As of Monday, they used the new regular route and there is no need to transfer from one train to another at Union Station.

I found myself in the same situation at Mariachi Plaza. The line was long, so I went down the hill for a short walk to Pico-Aliso to get back.

I am sure there are very few lines now.

JMGaffney on November 18, 2009, at 08:29AM – #9

Now that the oohing and ahhing is over, we are left with the reality of a too-small Union Station platform with exactly one entrance/exit and one balky elevator -- God go with any poor soul climbing the steps upstream as passengers egress from two trains! -- and a Little Tokyo platform that sends the more oblivious of pedestrian strolling down the train track! The plan for Union Station is apparently to have no two trains arrive at the platform at the same time. This does not address the problem of too many people crowded onto the platform who are simply waiting for a train. Given that Union Station itself offers a paragon of platform model, where did Goldline designers have their heads? As for the pedestrian crossing in Little Tokyo, a human proctor has been posted to teach us to swing open the gate when exiting. MTA is not expecting low ridership, it's praying for it!