LOS ANGELES (KNX) — New "priority bus lanes" launched Wednesday in Downtown Los Angeles, in a move to speed up service for weekday riders and better the environment in the City, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
"Our bus network is the backbone of our transportation system, and these bus lanes are a clear next step toward faster and more reliable service, higher ridership, and lower emissions," Garcetti said in a statement.
"We are working tirelessly to make our system work better for Angelenos, and this project is a clear example of the type of improvements that will take Angelenos where they need to go faster, and more safely and sustainably."
The two new lanes are on Grand Avenue and Olive Street. Lanes run southbound on Grand Avenue, from Hope Place to Pico Boulevard, and northbound on Olive Street, from Pico Boulevard to 2nd Street.
The priority lane routes are expected to increase Metro service speeds by 15%, with buses now able to travel on the route as often as every minute, Garcetti said, pointing to data from a recent survey.
"In a recent survey of more than 300 riders along this corridor, 96% of respondents said they would use the route more often if Metro improved trip times," Garcetti continued.
His statements were supported by Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins, who said the lanes are meant to build upon the success of Metro's earlier bus-only lanes in DTLA "to make Metro the best transportation option for Angelenos and visitors alike."
After the final phase of Metro's "NextGen Bus Plan" is implemented Sunday, Dec. 19, 83% of riders will have access to buses arriving every five to 10 minutes — compared to only 48 percent before the plan, Garcetti said.
He added that the plan will more than double the number of residents who live within walking distance of bus lines that run every five to 10 minutes — from 900,000 to almost 2.2 million.
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