Tag Archives: metro

As I sit here engrossed in the twitter feed of #FlightVSBike, following the LAStreetsBlog tracker, and completely ignoring most of what I planned to do this morning, I write this trying to understand for myself what the appeal of this adventure is centered in and on.  I think it is partly because there’s something about it that is inherently new – that we’ve come to a time in our technological advancements that we have such a variety of transportation options across different terrains.  So then, comparing them is something we can do.  This is especially true in an odd moment, the transportation shift of “Carmageddon”, that creates the frame for a jet to only travel such a short distance (and JetBlue’s marketing prowess).

Curbed LA: LA’s First Subway Turnstiles To Debut in June.

Hey – I’m all for this.  It makes me a more responsible rider and keeps people in check on buying the tickets.  Can we also get ride of this whole one-way line travel idea too?  First off, no one really follows it (I do, I have a monthly pass) or really understands it.  If you don’t have to go through another set of gates, I say that is a sign you’re ok!

Metro Gold Line? La Linea De Oro?

I’m all for transit-friendly literature bringing the masses together by crossing over language barriers, but naming the Metro Gold Line’s Eastside Extension as “La Linea de Oro” (literal Spanish translation of “Gold Line”) in Metro’s Spanish language  literature isn’t really the answer.  (See LA Times Blog: MTA Approves Spanish Translation of Gold Line)

I do like Gloria Molina and I understand her reasoning that a majority of users in the Eastside Extension are Spanish speakers, but here’s the thing about naming conventions: you want to brand with familiarity.

This is not my hair. Could he have touched that hair instead?

These are the general approaches people take whether they’re walking on the street or on public transit:

1. Give them some spare change.
2. Tell them you don’t have any money (whether or not it’s true).
3. Ignore them.
4. Tell them to get a job.

The other day I was heading home on the 7th/Metro station when this slightly heavyset woman in a wheelchair with a brown poodle-type dog on a leash asked for my help.

Now, when people usually ask for my help on public transit, it’s about asking me directions – what bus line to take, what direction the train is, etc.  This request was not that at all.  After some conversation, the request came out to -

“Can you help me get to 7th/Flower?  I’ll be really late to my bus if I try to get there by myself.”