About This Blog

This blog is about recurrent problems with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's public transit system. My particular crusade involves flagship line 910 (the "Silver Line") and its persistent, institutional unreliability after 9 PM.


I have been dealing directly and in good faith with Metro for some time now on this issue, but that private dialog has not resulted in any improvement in service. I started this blog in an attempt to provide another more public source of motivation for Metro to address their systemic failures.


Below I have posted my entire email exchange with Metro on this subject, and I will continue to update as the saga continues. The correspondence begins in November of 2011 only because that is when I discovered how to contact customer service. The problems with the silver line (and its transitway predecessors) started well before then. This email chain is unedited, except that I redacted my own name and contact info, and I removed redundant quotes of previous messages. Names and email addresses of Metro personnel have not been removed. I encourage you to contact them with your own thoughts. Also, feel free to leave comments here. I will probably delete anything vacuous or off topic, but if you have other complaints that aren't getting any traction, or if you have any suggestions that might improve service, please let me know.


For new visitors, the best way to read this blog is chronologically from bottom to top. The earliest entry is dated 2011-11-30. Since I can't seem to force all the posts onto one page, you'll have to start by clicking "2011" in the "Blog Archive" just below, or scroll all the way down and click "Older Posts."


Enjoy...

2012-10-17

From: john.fasana@gmail.com
Subject: Re: issue with metro silver line
Date: October 17, 2012 07:37:34 PDT
To: fixmetro
Cc: leahya@metro.net, alejandrof@metro.net, johnsondeb@metro.net, woodsonj@metro.net, aleahy@metro.net, echternachm@metro.net, mcano@lacbos.org, kbarger@lacbos.org, nbjornse7@gmail.com, wigginss@metro.net, HorneT@metro.net, mtacac.chair@ymail.com, SOTOPA@metro.net, TAYLORP@metro.net, YuKi@metro.net, Corral-LopezD@metro.net

Hi Mr. FixMetro!

I received the following information last week from Mr. Leahy and Mr. Alejandro.  

I did not place this item on the System Safety and Operations Committee Agenda tomorrow, but will be asking for a verbal update from Mr. Alejandro during his report (Item 54 early on the attached agenda)

If I become aware of any additional information I will pass it to you.

Please let me know if these activities if you have experienced any difficulties with Silver Line service after the latter of the dates in this time line.

Thank you,

John Fasana

In response to recent issues raised on the Silver Line, Metro Operations has put protocols and actions in place to address service disruptions related to detours, on-time performance issues, and overcrowding. The primary actions are in the areas of field supervision, control center supervision, Operator training and instruction, scheduling, and communication to our passengers.

The Silver Line is still on detour at Adams per our construction team. Only the construction team can give the “go-ahead” before the detour can be changed, and we can resume operating on the Adams Street HOV ramp to/from the Harbor Transitway.  It may appear to the public that construction is over, however our Operators must continue to operate on the detour due to continuing construction activities in the evenings and early morning hours.  

The following chronology indicates the actions taken by Metro and dates of implementation.

Specifically we began on July 23, 2012 with the following action:

  • An early morning supervisor was assigned to check departure times from the Artesia Transit Center, ensuring that operators detour off the Harbor Transitway until 6am, regardless of whether or not the freeway is re-opened from the construction before 6am. The supervisor has also been checking all Harbor Transitway stops daily to ensure that the signage remains posted, informing patrons where to board buses during the hours of 9pm to 6am on weekdays and 9pm to 9am on weekends.

Actions implemented August 3 – 9, 2012:

  • Daily checks and make communication with every Operator scheduled to operate a Silver Line bus before, during, and immediately after detour hours to ensure that a detour notice has been received, and detour instructions are understood and followed.  This contact occurs at the Division when the Operator reports for work, the Control Center at the beginning of each bus trip, and by Field Supervision as required.

  • If any Operator does not understand the detour notice when in service, a Field Supervisor is dispatched to meet the Operator to provide specific detour instructions.  These incidents are documented and reviewed by the Executive Director and Division Management to augment Operator line training.

Actions implemented August 10 – 17, 2012:

  • Division supervision and Operators have received additional training relative to the complexity of Silver Line service.

  • Constant in-service checks, service data reviews, and service monitoring is performed by Field Supervisors and Control Center staff to identify service anomalies (e.g. late terminal departures, bus breakdowns, buses arriving early or late).  Staff is directed to immediately make service adjustments and/or fleet/equipment replacement to assume normal scheduled service levels.

Actions implemented August 29, 2012:
       
  • Service and schedule adjustments implemented to date include additional bus trips and staging of extra buses to be deployed as-needed to fill in gaps in service and reduce overcrowding.

  • Field Supervisors constantly check all Harbor Transitway stops to ensure that detour signage remains properly posted.  Staff also communicates to passengers the specific locations in which riders must board buses during detour hours.

Actions implemented September 4, 2012:

  • Instructor assigned to monitor any new Silver Line Operators to make sure they have detour notices.

  • Scheduling additional Division Instructors to perform line rides and deploying service ambassadors at El Monte Station to communicate and assist passengers has resulted in service improvement. 

We will continue close monitoring and adjust protocols and actions as service needs change.  Thank you and please contact my office with any questions or concerns.

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