Metro Rapid buses use an advanced signal priority system that keeps traffic signals green longer for buses, making bus trips faster. With priority signals, less frequent stops and faster boarding using low floor buses, travel time has been reduced by as much as 29 percent.
Under Mayor Villaraigosa, the number of Metro Rapid bus routes has doubled to 26, expanding the Rapid network to a total 450 miles of safe, convenient, and fast bus travel throughout Los Angeles.
Public transportation is taking Angelenos farther and faster than ever before. Under Mayor Villaraigosa’s leadership as the chair of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, new light rail and dedicated busway construction has connected neighborhoods across Los Angeles that were once only accessible by freeway.
In 2005, Los Angeles opened the Orange Line busway in the San Fernando Valley, connecting the Red Line subway in North Hollywood with Warner Center in the West Valley -- including service to the NoHo Arts District, Valley College, the Van Nuys Civic Center, Pierce College, and Warner Center.
In 2006, the City broke ground on the first phase of the Exposition Line between Downtown Los Angeles and Culver City – including service to Staples Center, LA Convention Center, and LA Live; the University of Southern California and Expo Park; South Los Angeles, and the City of Culver City,
With the passage of Measure R in November 2008, Los Angeles has secured $40 billion in funding for a host of ambitious transportation projects, including a Subway to the Sea connecting Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica.
In the San Fernando Valley, a new extension of the Orange Line busway is under construction between Warner Center and the Chatsworth Metrolink station.
In East Los Angeles, the Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension launches this summer with eight new stations connecting Eastside neighborhoods by rail to Downtown LA, Pasadena, San Fernando Valley, South Bay, Long Beach and dozens of points in between.
And in 2010/2011, the Expo Line will be the first light rail system to connect Downtown Los Angeles with the dynamic Westside, South LA, and Culver City.
With more choices, more access, and more stops Mayor Villaraigosa has made public transportation a viable alternative to gridlock and traffic congestion.
Taking public transit is faster, cheaper, and safer than driving.
Following the terrorist attack on London’s buses in 2006, the Metro Board of Directors immediately approved Mayor Villaraigosa’s proposal to update transit security throughout the public transit system.
More than $8.5 million has been spent on state-of-the-art security cameras, digital video recorders and other safety equipment.
See the chart to the right to see the money you could save by taking public transit.
Metro buses run on compressed natural gas (CNG), a cleaner alternative than diesel fuel. Mayor Villaraigosa made it getting the city's fleet to %100 CNG a top priority.
Under his leadership, Metro's bus fleet is now almost 100% run on CNG. Only 14 vehicles are still running on diesel. But not for long!