Whitman Lam on December 15, 2009, at 09:32AM – #2

So if people aren't already using the DASH bus, which currently covers Downtown ... Would a streetcar be much more successful ?

Ravi on December 15, 2009, at 01:03PM – #5

Excellent!! I'm delighted to hear that $$ was secured for the project.

I'm a Dash rider and will continue to use whatever means is most appropriate to get me where I need to go. The Dash has beome more reliable with the GPS pieces installed. I'm sure the streetcar will add valuable presence in Downtown and serve a purpose for many commuters and folks in transit.

Russell Brown on December 17, 2009, at 12:24AM – #6

Streetcar, DASH, bicycles, pedicabs, even taxis. Whatever gets folks out of single occcupancy cars for short haul trips. But $10-$15 for a short to medium haul ride downtown is crazy.

I have tried on more than a half dozen occasions to take a DASH on 7th from Main to LA Live/ Figueroa at 6PM or 7 PM.

WRONG!!!! Bus after bus are packed and do not even bother stopping. Easier to take the subway at Pershing Square to 7th and Hope station. A subway as the only choice to get across downtown? That is why we need the streetcar.

I'd also suggest a pass that allows unlimited short haul bus on and off service within the circle of the freeways. Imagine if every thru bus could be used as local DASH service within the downtown? I see bus after bus pass through downtown half empty with DASH service crammed full late in afternoon along 7th.

Russell Brown on December 17, 2009, at 12:37AM – #7

City Council also approved unanimously today moving forward with the application for the $25 mil through the Federal Transportation Liveable Cities Inititive.

Here is the link for the City council motion:

http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=09-2984

cj on December 17, 2009, at 04:28PM – #8

@Russell Brown: the D DASH runs down Spring to 12th and Hill and is never full around that time.. 5 short blocks to Staples.

I think having the DASH run longer hours would be great, but probably unsustainable if it keeps charging only 25c per ride.

Re: the streetcar-- yay for federal funding, but that's just a tiny amount, and for construction only. how much will fares have to be to cover the cost of maintenance? and would local commuters use it if they can DASH or even just walk? downtown is not that big.. i can walk to most places within 30 min. DASHing in traffic takes at least 15.

Tim on December 18, 2009, at 08:17AM – #9

@cj: "I think having the DASH run longer hours would be great, but probably unsustainable if it keeps charging only 25c per ride."

In Portland, Oregon, the streetcar and Light Rail charges even less than 25c -- within the downtown area it is free. Instead of looking at how much direct revenue is generated by the streetcar in terms of fares, they look at the indirect revenue in terms of spending. If the streetcar can bring people to downtown and Broadway and revenue rises, that justifies the cost of running the streetcar.

This was the logic that Las Vegas used with the low priced buffet -- They take a loss on the buffet, but make up for it on the casino floor.

That logic works for the Portland streetcar and light rail systems. I wish L.A. would at least commission a study to see if that model could work here as well. Maybe they could decide to do something like Minneapolis - their light rail and buses aren't free in downtown, but as long as you ride within the downtown zone, the price is drastically reduced.