Metro Rapid

Metro Rapid

A NABI 60-BRT bus on Line 761 heading to Westwood
Founded	June 24, 2000
Locale	Los Angeles County, California
Service type	bus service, bus rapid transit
Operator	Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Big Blue Bus Culver CityBus Torrance Transit
Website	https://www.metro.net/

Metro Rapid is a local express bus service with bus rapid transit (BRT) characteristics in Los Angeles County, California.

At its peak, Metro had dozens of Rapid routes, but as of December 2021 ^[update] , the system has been largely discontinued. Just three Metro operated Rapid routes remain, along with four routes operated by Big Blue Bus, one by Culver CityBus and one by Torrance Transit.

To reduce travel times, buses are equipped with a special transmitter that send a signal to traffic lights, which cause them to favor the bus by holding green lights longer and shortening red lights. Metro Rapid buses also stop less frequently than other routes, with Rapid stops located only at major intersections and transfer points. The frequency of Metro Rapid buses is increased as well, as more buses on a line translates to less wait time at each station. All Metro Rapid buses are low-floor CNG buses for faster boarding and alighting and distinguished by their prominent red color.

Overview

Metro bus stop sign for Local line 4 and Rapid line 704 in Santa Monica.

The Metro Rapid Program was implemented in June 2000-December 2002 with the goal of improving bus speeds within urbanized Los Angeles County. Lines 720 (Wilshire), 745 (Broadway), 754 (Vermont), and 750 (Ventura) were the pilot routes of the program. Metro claims travel times were reduced by as much as 29%.

Metro Rapid stop

Metro Rapid buses are distinguished by their red and silver livery. Some Rapid stops are equipped with "NextBus" technology which indicates the wait time before the next bus arrives. NextBus displays were installed mostly at stops on Lines 720 and 750.

Metro Rapid Lines 720, 744, 770, and 780 were the only lines that complemented multiple lines (the 720 ran alongside the 18 and 20; the 744 ran alongside 233 and 240; the 770 ran alongside 68 and 70; and the 780 rans alongside the 180, 181 and 217); Line 720 is the longest route in the Metro Rapid system. It takes roughly 2 hours from start to end during rush hours. Also, line 720 is the most frequent of all Rapids. In the morning rush hour, the Rapid 720 ranges from every 2–10 minutes. As of June 27, 2021, most lines that complemented multiple lines, except Lines 720 and 754, were discontinued as a result of Metro’s NextGen Bus Plan by merging the Rapid Lines with their Local counterparts to create higher frequency. Line 720 was truncated to Downtown LA at 6th/Central meaning it will no longer complement Line 18 east to Commerce Center.

Metro Rapid NABI 60-BRT articulated bus in downtown Los Angeles

A year after Metro introduced SmartBus technology on most of their buses, marquees were modified on most Metro Rapid buses in which the "STOP REQUESTED" portion scrolls across the marquee instead of staying in place and "PLEASE USE REAR EXIT" scrolls slowly. Months later, marquees were switched back to their original format.

The fare is the same as other Metro bus and rail service. Routes are numbered in the 700 series (7xx).

In February 2020, Metro announced their NextGen Bus Plan that proposed an elimination of the majority of the Metro Rapid lines, merging them into their Metro Local counterparts. Most Metro Rapid routes, except for Lines 720 and 754 were discontinued, while Line 761 was replaced with a new termini at the Sylmar Metrolink Station.

Criticism

Critics^{[ who? ]} see the Metro Rapid system as not sufficient to meet Los Angeles' growing transit needs. Limited funds, they say, would be better spent on extending the region's rail network. The opposite is backed by sound research "In higher income countries ... an HRT alternative is likely to cost up to 40 times as much as a BRT alternative, and up to 12 times as much as an LRT alternative." ^[1] Some critics argued Rapid buses might not have the capacity or efficiency of light- or heavy-rail technology.

Other critics^{[ who? ]} claim that Metro Rapid is a triumph of marketing over substance. Substance might mean tables of passengers in peak hour per direction (PPHPD) observed: 14 LRT Systems, 14 HRT systems (1 track, excluding 3 2-track-systems), 56 BRT systems and the conclusion, that BRT „capacity on TransMilenio exceeds all but the highest capacity HRT systems, and it far exceeds the highest LRT system.“ - i.e. best LRT had 13,400 PPHPD, best 1 track HRT 36,000 PPHPD, best BRT 37,700 PPHPD. ^[2] More topical is „Maximum passender load (per hour per direction) 45,000 – Daily passenger load (total) 1,000,000“ ^[3] in a 1-lane-system using articulated buses.

For many years, Metro and its predecessor, the SCRTD, operated limited-stop routes, which were similar to Metro Rapid service in the middle of their routes (serving only transfer points and major stops), but made local stops at each end. Rapid buses do not change traffic signals outside of the City of Los Angeles because only the city has tied the transponders to the signal network. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works is working on rectifying the problem for all the other cities where Rapid buses pass through, but individual signals have to be reprogrammed to give signal priority to Rapid buses. In addition, only Rapid-branded buses have transponders, which causes problems when not enough Rapid buses are available (or conversely, when Rapid-branded buses are used on Local service).

Another complaint concerns the placement of Local and Rapid stops at separate locations at the same intersection.^{[ citation needed ]} This was done to eliminate the backing up of buses at stops, but has resulted in a dangerous move called the "Rapid Bus Shuffle", in which a rider waiting at a Local stop runs to a Rapid stop, or vice versa, if the other bus arrives first. In response, some Rapid stops are placed adjacent to Local bus stops.

In addition, civil rights organizations like the Bus Riders Union complain about cutbacks in Local service required to implement Rapid service. Generally, between 25 and 50% of Local service is cut and replaced by Rapid service. Thus, riders not living or working near a Rapid stop must walk a longer distance to an intersection with both Local and Rapid stops, or wait longer for a Local bus. The Special Master of the consent decree between Metro and the BRU has ordered that no more than 33% of the resources for Rapids come from Local service.

Metro staff has never considered Metro Rapid a substitute for rail service, but is instead a pragmatic interim measure given current budgetary constraints.^{[ citation needed ]}

Another major complaint is the lack of Saturday, Sunday, and holiday service on several of its high-volume routes like the 705, 710 and 740 where many patrons commute from inner-city suburbs, Downtown LA, or the South Bay to major cities for their jobs and local shopping.

Routes

Current Metro Rapid routes

Main article: Los Angeles Metro Bus

Route	Terminals		via	Days of Operation	Notes
720 [4]	Santa Monica Downtown Santa Monica station	Downtown LA 6th & Central	Wilshire Bl	Daily (M-F: 4:30a-1:00a; Sa/Su: 5:00a-1:00a)	Service began June 2000, one of the two original routes, replaced Lines 318, 320 and 322, and operates alongside 20 Used to run as far as the Montebello/Commerce Metrolink Station until it was shortened to its present terminus in 2004. Line 20 runs service west of Westwood to Santa Monica on late-night and Owl trips everyday when Line 720 is not in operation for the night. Originally ran as far east to Commerce Center and used to operate alongside Line 18 until it was shortened at 6th & Central in Downtown LA in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of the NextGen Bus Plan.
	Westwood Wilshire Bl & Westwood Bl
754 [5]	East Hollywood Vermont Av & Hollywood Bl	Athens Vermont Av & 120th St	Vermont Av	Daily (M-F: 5:00a-9:30p; Sa: 6:00a-9:15p; Su: 6:00a-8:30p)	Began December 2002, replaced Line 354 and operates alongside Line 204
761 [6]	Sylmar Sylmar/San Fernando station	West LA Expo/Sepulveda station	Van Nuys Bl, Sepulveda Bl	Daily (Northbound: 5:30a-9:45p; Southbound: 4:00a-7:45p)	Began operating in June 2003 and replaced the Metro Express Line 561. Operates alongside Line 233. Line 233 is extended to the Westside when Line 761 isn't in operation for late-night and owl trips. Returned service in June 2021 due to the NextGen Bus Plan, with some slight modifications. Line 761 northern terminal was rerouted from Pacoima to Sylmar station. The southern termini was extended to Expo/Sepulveda Station. Originally ran from Pacoima to Westwood until it was replaced by Lines 734 (south of Ventura Bl to Westwood) and 744 (East of Ventura/Sepulveda) from December 2014 until its return in 2021.

Rapid routes operated by other agencies

Route	Terminals		via	Days of Operation	Notes
Big Blue Bus Rapid 3 [7]	Santa Monica 4th St & Wilshire Bl	Westchester Aviation/LAX station	Lincoln Bl	Weekday peak hours (6a-9a, 1p-7p)	Operates alongside Big Blue Bus Line 3 Operated by Big Blue Bus
Big Blue Bus Rapid 7 [7]	Santa Monica Broadway & 5th St	Koreatown Wilshire/Western Station	Pico Bl	Weekdays (6a-7:30p)	Operates alongside Big Blue Bus Line 7 and Express 7 Operated by Big Blue Bus
Big Blue Bus Rapid 10	Santa Monica 2nd St & Colorado Av	Downtown LA Main St & Alameda St	Santa Monica Bl, Bundy Dr, I-10, Grand Av/Olive St, Figueroa St/Flower St, Temple St	Weekday peak hours (6a-8:15a, 3:30p-6:15p)	Branded as a Rapid route, but is primarily a freeway express route Operates into Downtown LA in the AM rush and into Downtown Santa Monica in the PM rush Operated by Big Blue Bus
Big Blue Bus Rapid 12 [7]	Westwood UCLA Gateway Plaza	Palms Overland Av & Venice Bl	Westwood Bl, Overland Av	Daily (M-F: 5:30a-11:00p; Sa/Su: 6:30a-11:00p)	Operated by Big Blue Bus
Culver CityBus Rapid 6 [8]	Westwood UCLA Gateway Plaza	Westchester Aviation/LAX Station	Sepulveda Bl	Weekdays (5:50a-9:57a; 2:20p-7:35p)	Operates alongside Culver CityBus Line 6 Operated by Culver CityBus
Torrance Transit Rapid 3	Torrance Mary K. Giordano Regional Transit Center	Long Beach Downtown Long Beach Station	Carson St, Avalon Bl, Pacific Coast Hwy	Weekdays (6:05a-10:20a; 2:15p-7:40p)	Originally operated alongside Torrance Transit Line 3 Operated by Torrance Transit

Former routes

Route	Terminals		via	Notes/History
704	Santa Monica 2nd St & Santa Monica Blvd	Downtown LA Union Station	Santa Monica Blvd	Service began June 2007, replaced Line 304 and operated alongside Line 4 Discontinued in September 2021, as part of Phase 2.5 of the NextGen Bus Plan
705 [9]	West Hollywood West Hollywood Library	Vernon Vernon Av & Santa Fe Av	La Cienega Bl, Vernon Av	Service began June 2004 and operated alongside Line 105. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan.
710 [10]	Koreatown, Los Angeles Wilshire/Western Station	Redondo Beach South Bay Galleria	Crenshaw Bl	Service began February 2004, replaced Line 310 and operated alongside Line 210. Saturday service was added to Line 710 in June 2006 until it was discontinued in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Used to run as far as Hollywood/Vine Station via Vine Bl until it was shortened to Wilshire/Western Station in June 2007. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan.
711 [11]	Inglewood Inglewood Transit Center	Bell Gardens Florence Av & Garfield Av	Florence Av	Began service on June 29, 2003, to replace the Local Limited Line 311. Reverted to Limited Line 311 in December 2010, and Line 311 was once again cancelled in June 2016.
714 [12]	Beverly Hills Santa Monica Bl & Canon Dr	Grand/LATTC Station	Beverly Bl	Originally operated daily before the service cut to only on weekday peak hours. Discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership.
715	Westchester, Los Angeles LAX City Bus Center	Downey Downey Depot Transportation Center	Manchester Bl, Manchester Av, Firestone Bl	Began service in June 2008, replaced the Local Limited Line 315 for weekday services. Originally ended at South Gate at Firestone/Atlantic until it was extended to City of Downey in December 2008. Discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership.
	Inglewood Inglewood Transit Center
717	Hollywood Hollywood/Vine station	Culver City West Los Angeles Transit Center	Hollywood Bl, Fairfax Av	Began operating in June 2005, replacing the Local Limited Line 317, which began in December 2004. Merged with Line 780 in June 2006
724	Sylmar, Los Angeles Sylmar/San Fernando Station	North Hollywood, Los Angeles North Hollywood station	San Fernando Rd, Lankershim Bl	Began service in June 2008, and operated alongside Metro Line 224 Discontinued in June 2009 due to low ridership Line 724 deviation on San Fernando Rd was replaced by an extension of Line 794.
728 [13]	Century City, Los Angeles Constellation Bl & Century Park W	Downtown LA Union Station	Olympic Bl	Began December 2007, replaced Line 328 and operates alongside Line 28. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan.
730	Mid-City, Los Angeles Pico/Rimpau Transit Center	Little Tokyo Little Tokyo/Arts District station	Pico Bl	Began operating in June 2008, replaced Local Limited Line 330. Originally ran into Union Station until it was relocated to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station in June 2009. Reverted to Line 330 in June 2012, and Line 330 was cancelled once again in December 2020.
733 [14]	Santa Monica 2nd St & Santa Monica Blvd	Downtown LA Union Station	Venice Blvd	Began June 2010, replaced Line 333 and operated alongside Line 33 Discontinued in September 2021, due to Phase 2.5 of the NextGen Bus Plan
734 [15]	Sylmar, Los Angeles Sylmar/San Fernando station	West LA Expo/Sepulveda station	Sepulveda Bl	Began June 2006, operated alongside Line 234 (which replaced service everyday during late evenings and early mornings and all day on weekends). Discontinued in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Service between Ventura Bl and Sylmar Station is replaced by a higher frequency Line 234. Service south of Ventura Bl is replaced by Line 761.
740 [16]	Jefferson Park, Los Angeles Expo/Crenshaw station	Redondo Beach South Bay Galleria	Crenshaw Bl, Hawthorne Bl	Began December 2004, replaced Line 340 and operated alongside Line 40. Originally ran into Union Station via Martin Luther King Bl and Broadway until it was relocated to Expo/Crenshaw Station in June 2012. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan.
741 [17]	Northridge Reseda Blvd & Devonshire St	Tarzana Ventura Bl & Reseda Bl	Reseda Bl	Began operating in December 2006. Was one of the shortest Rapid Lines in the system. Replaced by Line 744 in December 2014.
744 [18]	Pacoima Van Nuys Bl & Glenoaks Bl	Northridge Reseda Bl & Devonshire St (weekdays only)	Van Nuys Bl, Ventura Bl, Reseda Bl	Began December 2014, replaced Lines 741 and 761. It operated alongside Lines 233 and 240 This line and Line 788 were the last Rapid Lines ever released as a new number line. Discontinued in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Service west on Ventura and Sepulveda Bls was replaced by a higher frequency of Line 240. Service on Van Nuys Bls was reverted to Line 761 except the northern terminal was relocated to Sylmar instead of Pacioma.
		Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles Sherman Oaks Galleria
745 [19]	Downtown LA Union Station	South LA Harbor Freeway station	Broadway	Began December 2002, replaced Line 345 and operated alongside Line 45. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan.
750 [20]	Canoga Park, Los Angeles Canoga station	Studio City, Los Angeles Universal City/Studio City station	Ventura Bl	Began June 2000, one of the two original routes, operated alongside Line 150 Originally operated daily until it was reduced to a weekday-only route in December 2010. Discontinued in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by a higher frequency of Line 150 west of Reseda Bl and higher frequency of Line 240 east of Reseda Bl.
751 [21]	Cypress Park, Los Angeles Av 28 & Idell St	Huntington Park Palm Pl & Seville Av	Av 26, Daly St, Soto St	Began June 2004, replaced Line 350 and operated alongside Line 251. Originally ran far to Long Beach Bl Station on weekdays only until it was shortened to its present terminal in June 2007 to lower the overlap for Line 760. Originally had a Saturday service until it was discontinued in June 2011 due to low ridership. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan.
753	Downtown LA 5th St & Beaudry Av	Willowbrook Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station	Central Av	Began operating in June 2008, replaced Local Limited Line 350. Discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership.
757 [22]	East Hollywood, Los Angeles Hollywood/Western station	Hawthorne Crenshaw station	Western Av	Began December 2005, replaced Line 357 and operated alongside Line 207 Originally operated 7 days a week until its weekend service was discontinued in June 2011 due to lack of time travel savings. Discontinued in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by a higher frequency of Line 207.
760 [23]	Downtown LA 5th St & Beaudry Av	Lynwood Long Beach Boulevard station	Santa Fe Av, Pacific Bl, Long Beach Bl	Began June 2007, replaced Line 360 and operated alongside Line 60. Used to run as far south to Artesia Station and operated daily until it was shortened to its present terminal and discontinued its Sunday service in June 2011 due to lack of time travel savings. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan.
762 [24]	Pasadena Fair Oaks Av & Colorado Bl	Compton Artesia station	Fair Oaks Av, Atlantic Bl	Began June 2008, replaced Line 361 and operated alongside Line 260. Originally had a Saturday service until it was discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership. Discontinued in December 2020 as part of a restructuring for NextGen Bus Plan.
		Lynwood Imperial Hwy & Atlantic Bl
770 [25]	Downtown LA Broadway & Venice Bl	El Monte El Monte Station	Cesar E. Chavez Av, Garvey Av	Began December 2007, replaced Lines 368 and 370 and operated alongside Lines 68 and 70 Saturday service was added in June 2008 until was it was discontinued in April 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discontinued in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by a higher frequency of the newly rerouted Line 70 which now follows the path of the former Line 770.
780 [26]	Pasadena Pasadena City College	Culver City West Los Angeles Transit Center	Colorado Bl, Hollywood Bl, Fairfax Av	Began operating in December 2004 Replaced 380 in June 2005 to have a western terminus at Hollywood/Highland Station and combined it with the 717 in June 2006 to extend to its current western terminus at West Los Angeles Transit Center. Weekend service was added between Pasadena and Hollywood in June 2008, until it was discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership. Operated alongside Lines 180, 181 and 217 Discontinued in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by a higher frequency of the newly rerouted Line 180 from Hollywood/Vine to Pasadena City College, and a higher frequency of Line 217 which is now extended east to Vermont/Sunset Station.
788 [27]	Arleta Van Nuys Bl & Woodman Av	West LA Expo/Sepulveda station	Van Nuys Blvd, Interstate 405	Began December 2014 Closed-door along the San Fernando Valley for northbound service and Westwood for southbound service. Also known as "Valley - Westside Express" Was the only Rapid-Express Line that ever ran on a freeway. This Line and Line 744 were the last Rapid Lines ever released as a new number line. Was suspended in June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic until it was discontinued permanently in June 2021 due to the NextGen Bus Plan. Alternatives to this line include the resurrected Line 761 on Van Nuys and Sepulveda Bls from Arleta to West LA.
794 [28]	Sylmar, Los Angeles Sylmar/San Fernando Station	Downtown LA Hill St & Venice Bl	San Fernando Rd	Began June 2008, replaced Line 394 and operated alongside Lines 94 and 224 Was extended to Sylmar Station in June 2009 replacing Line 724 segment on San Fernando Rd and weekend service was added. Weekend service was discontinued in June 2012 due to a lack of travel time savings. Discontinued in June 27, 2021 due to the 2nd phase of NextGen Bus Plan. Replaced by a higher frequency of Line 94 from Burbank to Downtown LA, and a new Line 294 from Burbank to Sylmar.
920 [29]	Santa Monica Colorado Av & Ocean Av	Koreatown, Los Angeles Wilshire/Vermont station	Wilshire Bl	Began operating in June 2007 Former Rapid Express Line Operated during weekday peak hours Discontinued in December 2010 due to low ridership, although riders have advocated improvements, during the service's short life
	Westwood, Los Angeles Wilshire Bl & Westwood Bl
940 [30]	Downtown LA Union Station	Torrance Del Amo Fashion Center	Martin Luther King Jr. Bl, Crenshaw Bl, La Brea Av, Hawthorne Bl	Began operating in June 2007 Former Rapid Express Line Operated during weekday peak hours in peak directions Discontinued in June 2008 due to low ridership, although riders have advocated improvements , during the service's short life

References

1. https://www.itdp.org/2017/11/16/the-brt-planning-guide 4th edition, p. 27 of 1076, Retrieved 2022-10-5
2. https://www.itdp.org/2017/11/16/the-brt-planning-guide 4th edition, pp. 49-51 of 1076, Retrieved 2022-10-5
3. https://www.mercedes-benz-bus.com/content/dam/mbo/markets/common/buy/bus-rapid-transit/brt-services-online/images/content/BRT_Flyer_Istanbul_EN_23_07_18.pdf Retrieved 2022-10-5
4. "Route Map : 720" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
5. "Route Map : 754" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
6. "Route Map : 761" (PDF). mybus.metro.net. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
7. "Big Blue Bus Rapid 3 Schedule" (PDF). June 12, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2017-08-03.
9. "Route Map : 705" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
10. "Route Map : 710" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
11. "Route Map : 711". www.scribd.com. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
12. "Route Map : 714". www.scribd.com. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
13. "Route Map: 728" (PDF). Metro.net. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-04-22.
14. "Route Map: 733" (PDF). Metro.net. 2018-12-16. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
15. "Route Map : 734" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
16. "Route Map : 740" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
17. "Route Map : 741". www.scribd.com. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
18. "Route Map : 744" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
19. "Route Map : 745" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
20. "Route Map : 750" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
21. "Route Map : 751" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
22. "Route Map : 757" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
23. "Route Map : 760" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
24. "Route Map : 762" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
25. "Route Map : 770" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
26. "Route Map : 780" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
27. "Route Map : 788" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
28. "Route Map : 794" (PDF). Metro.net. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
29. "Route Map : 920". www.scribd.com. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
30. "Route Map : 940". www.scribd.com. Retrieved 2016-08-06.

External links

• Metro Rapid Homepage