Metro Announces Possible Blue Line Shutdown—on Red Line

Infrequent announcements along at Red Line Stations have warned Blue Line straphangers of possible rail station closures that might occur Tuesday during the Staples Center's Michael Jackson memorial event. If such a closure occurs, the Blue Line will be essentially cut off from the Red Line. However, no other information is available, nor are Blue Line riders being told of this possible closure—only Red Line riders appear to have been informed of the possibility. There is a brief mention of the possible closure on Metro's Web site.

There are many questions regarding this possible shutdown, so let us let Metro tell us in its own words exactly what might occur Tuesday, 07 July 2009:

Blue_Line_Shutdown_Statement

After that four-minute video, one might conclude only that Metro has redefined the term deadman's switch. One might wonder what precedent such a closure, if it occurs, will mean every time Staples Center, the Los Angeles Convention Center and L.A. Live hosts an event. All three venues are immediately adjacent to each other as well as three northernmost stations along the Blue Line.

-BusTard

Comments

[Shawn]

I noticed that on their website today. Also if you notice the Harbor Transitway buses are diverting to Washington, presumably to allow passengers to take the blue line into downtown. If the blue line stops at Grand they will also be screwed as many of them will have to backtrack from Pershing Square to the 7th/Wilshire/6th street area.

In any event I don't see why they would have to stop the blue line from going into downtown. They should be able to keep the trains running, but that's going to be the LAPD's call and not Metro. I'm sure Metro would prefer to run the trains as much to normal as possible.

[Randall BusTard]

I hear ya, Shawn. With all the agencies and companies involved, it sounds as if 11 left hands are at work blindly scratching the ass of someone else.

[Kymberleigh Richards]

Oh, I see. Even though Metro clearly says on the notice you linked to that they "will make every effort to maintain Metro Blue Line service in this area throughout the day" you automatically presume the worst and give this your usual negative spin.

Just once I'd like to see a post on this blog that showed an optimistic point of view. Just once. But I know that won't happen, don't I?

[Randall BusTard]

Kym-

Shut up. Or should I talk to you the way Bart reed does when he addresses you in public?

Perhaps you might worry about your own organisation's errant and unruly members as well as the dreadful way the meetings are conducted. You might be so blinkered as to think that not talking about the way Metro fails will mean it is not happening, but then again, I have seen you do nothing to make Metro efficient despite your ass-kissing, counter-productive means. The only time you have been correct is when you have flip-flopped on what you previously stated by accusing The Bus bench of being incorrect about Measure R, and then pushing the Daily News to print an editorial whereby you pretended to be the first to announce Measure R funds were in jeopardy.

Why not make sure the escalators are working with that golden key Metro gave you? You know, the one you are always making sure everyone knows you possess?

[Spokker]

"Why not make sure the escalators are working with that golden key Metro gave you? You know, the one you are always making sure everyone knows you possess? "

Nice slam. I think I like Richards less than you, believe it or not.

[Randall BusTard]

Now I'm jealous.

[browne]

Posting something optimistic? This isn't a freakin PR blog. Blogs that post positive spins on things the vast majority of the time are public relation entities masquerading as editorial entities. It's pretty freaking disgusting and unethnical.

We're not negative or positive, we simply post the reality in an objective fashion.

If you take public transit in this city and come off thinking everything is smelling like roses this mean your standards are very low. LA's public transit will never get better if everyone tries to pretend as if it's perfect.

People who want to say positive things should apply to Metro's PR department. PR is a good paying field that is all about positive spin.

Browne