Nov 16, 2009 9:50 am US/Pacific
L.A.'s Gold Line Extension Opens With Free Fares
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
-
-
The MTA announced that a light rail line extension to East Los Angeles will open Nov. 15, after five years of construction. (File Photo)
CBS
Celebrations and thousands of free riders marked the opening of the long-awaited Metro Gold Line extension into East Los Angeles.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman Dave Sotero says there were no operational glitches as an estimated 50,000 people took advantage of free fares along the six-mile, $898 million extension that runs from Union Station to Atlantic Blvd. Celebrations were held at several stops along the route.
Regular service on the 1.7 mile route begins Monday. Trains will run about every eight minutes in the mornings, about every 12 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes at night.
MTA says weekday ridership is expected to reach an average of 13,000 by the end of its first year.
Construction began in 2004 on the extension of the line that previously ran only from Union Station to Pasadena.
(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Stars Rock The Grammys
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments