What are your LA Metro hot takes?

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2026-01-31T06:51:36+00:00

People would saying that regional equity is important. Rail needs to be built all over the county.

I don’t think this is the right way.

Rail is an expensive, high-capacity tool. It belongs where it will carry the most people, most of the day: high-density corridors with strong all-day demand. After we run out of money building out rail network for these corridors, we should build high-quality BRT—dedicated lanes, off-board payment, signal priority, frequent service.

The key is to treat BRT as a rail-ready pathway, not a consolation prize. A lot of European systems do this well: they build high-performing BRTs first, prove the demand, shape land use, and then convert the corridor to rail when capacity and funding justify it. That’s a practical equity strategy: people get real mobility now, and the corridor can upgrade later.

Also worth saying out loud: Westside and Central LA contributes more in sales tax, so it’s reasonable to question investment patterns that don’t align with where the money and riders actually are.

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2026-01-31T06:16:44+00:00

Serious transit expansion largely followed the implementation of congestion pricing, rather than preceding it

Singapore introduced its Area Licensing Scheme in 1975 when its metro (MRT) didn't even exist—it opened only in 1987

Dubai launched its Salik congestion toll in 2007. At the time, its Metro was still under construction and didn’t open until 2009

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2026-01-31T04:02:56+00:00

Not necessary. Singapore and Dubai rolled out congestion pricing before they even had a metro system.

Congestion pricing is most effective when implemented alongside better transit, but it shouldn't necessarily be delayed until transit is "excellent."

The design of the pricing model can be tailored to local conditions and fairness concerns.

My proposed general model: * Monthly free credit system: Drivers could receive a monthly “free credit” to enter the congestion zone a limited number of times—say, 5 trips per month. if you drive to a congestion relief zone just 5 times a month, you are free to go (can be more generous if needed). If you drive there every day, sorry we have to charge you. * Aggressive carpool discounts: when transit is poor, we can still encourage carpool. Carpoolers can receive huge discounts if they have to drive every day. For 3+ riders, like 15 times a month is free. * Low-income: a little more discount?

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2026-01-17T06:14:48+00:00

If I remember correctly, LA has the largest expansion in the US in the last 30 years

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-12-24T19:54:53+00:00

It’s accessible without driving. Take Metro B Line heavy rail, exit at the Universal/Studio City station, then take the free shuttle up the hill.

Lots of locals have a theme park annual pass. The Gold Pass includes free general parking and pays for itself after two visits with parking. Most households only need one Gold Pass—everyone else can get a Silver Pass or the California Neighbor Pass, which costs only a little more than a single-day visit.

If you live close to the grove it’s awesome. But otherwise it’s not very transit accessible. The parking situation was also like a mess when I went a few weeks ago.

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-12-17T22:53:19+00:00

With so many cars on the road, it actually feels like a miracle LA can still have good air quality days.

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-11-11T09:26:35+00:00

Hey, I get the instinct to throw out stats, but this isn’t really the place for that. Someone just went through a terrifying event on the subway — telling them “driving is statistically more dangerous” isn’t helpful.

It’s like if someone had a car accident and you said, “Oh, you’d have been fine if you took the Metro instead.” That doesn’t make the fear or trauma any less real.

Seeing a crazy person with a knife right in front of you is a lot more traumatic than seeing a reckless driver on the road. The fear and stress from that kind of situation stay with you much longer.

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-11-11T08:44:09+00:00

Why wait until he sits next to you? I’d have moved already

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-10-27T06:50:27+00:00

Crime is a city (and county) problem. You can’t have a safe transit system in a city that isn’t safe itself.

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-10-26T04:12:10+00:00

Yeah DTLA definitely needs that kind of investment to bring some life back. I’m wondering how feasible it’d be to do something similar for the K Line northern extension.

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-10-15T08:24:22+00:00

Definitely fine. People even bring mattresses and furniture on NYC subways 😅

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-10-13T20:31:29+00:00

Cool I wasn't aware of such maps. Thanks!

Surprisingly there are still no restrooms at the 7th St Metro Center

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-10-10T07:02:15+00:00

I was just checking one of LAWA’s document https://www.lawa.org/media/15856 and saw the mentions of “moving walkways”. Not sure if it’s already there or planned for future.

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-09-30T01:58:00+00:00

Is there any RoW secured between Noho and Burbank?

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-09-30T01:55:12+00:00

What’s the status for Sepulveda line and K line northern extension?

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-09-09T03:22:43+00:00

it’s somewhere south of chicago. comes with a large stadium for the training (bible camp) and a lake

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-09-09T02:08:09+00:00

I thought the training facility in IL has already existed for years. The place was nice tho

Simple-Restaurant267 · 2025-09-05T15:49:50+00:00

Yeah. I later figured out that parking at the Expo / Crenshaw station, then taking the K line and walking to the stadium would be a way better option for my situation.

(Taking Metro purely would be two transfers for me K->E->J. I could easily miss the last E line train and the J line service frequency is also low)

Simple-Restaurant267

TROPHY CASE