Los Angeles once boasted a top-tier mass transit system. Today, the LA Metro system looks significantly different and faces numerous challenges. Getting from one point to another, such as Santa Monica to Universal City, can take significantly longer via public transportation than by car, highlighting the system's inefficiencies. This article explores the historical context, current problems, and potential solutions for improving Los Angeles' public transit.
The Monocentric Design Problem
Understanding Monocentric Systems
The current Metro Rail System, with its six lines, 107 stations, and 109 miles of service, is largely a monocentric design. This means that most lines converge in Downtown L.A., similar to New York City's MTA system and other older systems in the United States. This design prioritizes travel to and from a central hub, which works well in cities with high concentrations of jobs and people downtown.
Downtown L.A.'s Limitations
However, Downtown L.A. differs significantly from Manhattan. Manhattan has a much higher population density and a significantly larger share of the city's jobs.
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Manhattan: Over 70,000 people per square mile and 53% of the city's jobs.
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Downtown L.A.: A fraction of Manhattan's density and only 7% of the county's jobs.
This disparity means that a transit system primarily focused on Downtown L.A. struggles to effectively serve the region's transportation needs.
The Polycentric Solution
Embracing L.A.'s Multi-Nodal Nature
Los Angeles is a multi-nodal city, characterized by several smaller hubs rather than a single, dominant downtown area. These hubs include places like Hollywood, Pasadena, and Compton, some of which are currently connected by rail. However, many other important areas, such as Venice, Torrance, and the San Fernando Valley, are not adequately served.
Connecting the Hubs
To address this, future rail expansions should prioritize a polycentric system. This involves creating lines that connect various hubs directly, rather than forcing all routes to go through Downtown. London and Tokyo offer examples of successful polycentric systems with interwoven cross-town lines. These types of connections allow commuters to travel between different areas without the need to travel into the center of the city.
Current Improvements and Future Considerations
Ongoing Projects
LA Metro has committed \$120 billion over 40 years to improve transit infrastructure. The new K Line is a step in the right direction, as it doesn't go to Downtown and intersects with the C Line at LAX's new station. The extension of the D Line, though decades in the making and not expected to be fully open until 2027, also demonstrates an effort to improve connectivity.
Prioritizing Dedicated Right of Way
For the polycentric system to work optimally, all lines need a dedicated right of way, allowing them to operate without traffic interference. Different types of transit offer varying levels of benefit and cost.
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Heavy rail: Highest cost, highest benefit, best for high-density areas.
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Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Lower cost, lower benefit, dedicated right-of-way buses.
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Light rail: A middle ground that sometimes operates on surface streets, potentially reducing its effectiveness.
Addressing Existing Challenges
Currently, a large percentage of Angelinos drive alone to work, and public transit usage remains low. This is partly due to the limited number of jobs accessible within a reasonable commute time via mass transit, as compared to driving. To make the system more appealing, safety concerns must be addressed, along with improving the speed and coverage of the system. LA Metro reports a drop in violent crime per boarding, but perception matters.
The Path Forward
While there are challenges to building a perfect system, it is important to have a system to begin with. The best case scenario for the future of the LA Metro would be if all of the lines on the map became actual mass transit lines. Finding solutions that can be built within a reasonable amount of time will be key to providing Angelenos a better public transportation system.
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