The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) recently reopened its Blue Line—now renamed the A Line—with ribbon cutting ceremonies and three days of free rides to welcome back passengers to the transit provider's oldest and busiest light rail line.
The A Line is reopening after the completion of the $350 million New Blue Improvements Project's northern segment between 7th St/Metro Center and Compton Station. The project brings Metro’s oldest rail line up to specifications of Metro’s newer rail lines and is intended to enhance the customer experience for Metro riders.
The improvements to the A Line increase reliability with four new crossover switches, an upgraded train control system, a new overhead power system, and in some sections new rail tracks. Station upgrades included new IxNTouch information screens that will help riders navigate the Metro system, new station identifiers and way-finding signage, refreshed paint and landscaping, and new digital artwork.
“Metro’s state of good repair program improves the transit lines and equipment that we already have and allows us to offer quality service to all communities in the Los Angeles region and especially for people who are transit-dependent,” Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington said in a statement. “This work will allow the A Line to deliver a high-quality transit experience for many decades to come.”
The A Line is the first rail line to employ Metro’s new naming convention in which all rail and bus rapid transit lines will be designated with letters and colors. The new naming convention is designed to make the agency’s growing system easier to navigate.
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SOURCE: L.A. Metro
