Why do these buses run on the left? The El Monte Busway in LA

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  • čas přidán 3. 06. 2024
  • Interstate 10, also known as the San Bernardino Freeway, has a unique feature between El Monte and Los Angeles Union Station. The El Monte Busway is a combination between a bus lane and a carpool lane. It is shared by Metro buses and Foothill Transit buses, most notably by the "J Line" and "Silver Streak" services, respectively.
    The El Monte Busway has a long stretch of road where traffic runs on the left-hand side. This is obviously an anomaly in the United States. So why do these buses drive on the left? Find out in today's video!
    Trains Are Awesome!
    Support us on Patreon: / trainsareawesome
    Our Instagram: / tra_channel
    Chapters:
    0:00 Left and Right
    0:42 Welcome to LA
    1:08 We're talking about buses today
    1:30 Chicago: How it's different from LA
    2:04 Explaining the LA bus system
    3:06 Character 1: LA Metro
    3:30 What is BRT?
    4:49 Character 2: Foothills Transit
    5:31 Character 3: Interstate 10
    6:25 Arriving at Cal State/LA on Metrolink
    6:56 The Bus Platform
    7:17 What lines run here?
    7:42 Riding the Silver Streak
    9:01 Why on the left?
    10:48 Riding the J Line
  • Auta a dopravní prostředky

Komentáře • 191

  • @mayrarecinos148
    @mayrarecinos148 Před rokem +52

    I'm Metro operator downtown Los Angeles and I see lot youngers CZcamsrs riding with me and others buses doing good videos, as metro operator I feel so proud to see our passengers provide a good information to others don't know about transportation, and there's nothing better that all these opinions and suggestions come from our good passengers as you 🙂👍
    THANKS TO RIDE ON METRO BUSESS
    AND TRAINS 🚆 LOS ANGELES!!!!

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +10

      I’m glad you appreciate our work. We greatly appreciate yours!!!

  • @MasterofExcelion
    @MasterofExcelion Před rokem +9

    The J line (Silver Line) does a crossover on the 110 freeway for the Harbor /105 green line station. It enters from the busway on the right crosses over the opposite direction lane, stops at the station and then does the same leaving the station to return to the right lane

  • @craigbarnes
    @craigbarnes Před rokem +34

    The original busway station at Union Station was at Alameda, passing it in the video at 11:10. When the new one was built a few years ago, it replaced the stops at Alameda.

  • @jacobbaer785
    @jacobbaer785 Před rokem +2

    Surprised no one has mentioned it yet, there is a bus way in Istanbul that runs almost entirely on the left side, in a freeway median with island platforms. The one section that runs on the right is to cross the Bosphoros bridge in mixed traffic.

  • @jacorp7476
    @jacorp7476 Před rokem +3

    The Red and Orange Lines in Minneapolis do this, but only at a couple of stations - take a look at Cedar Grove Transit Station and 46th St & I-35W Station

  • @alhollywood6486
    @alhollywood6486 Před rokem +24

    I grew up in the LA suburbs in the 80s, and took the RTD (precursor to the Metro system) to school every day. But at some point they stopped serving our suburbs, so a few of them got together to set up their own bus line.

  • @albert3801
    @albert3801 Před rokem +13

    In Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺, where we actually drive on the left, we ran into a similar issue on a BRT that runs down the middle of a highway with island platforms. But rather than running in the right hand side for the entire distance, the buses actually drive on the left as normal, but the bus lanes cross over each other at the entrance and exits to the bus stations, so that be bus runs on the right hand side only through the station platforms, and then crosses over back to the left hand side while travelling between stations. I hope that makes sense 😅

    • @Pandmaster
      @Pandmaster Před rokem +1

      ​@@grassytramtracks Outside the stations the buses mix with traffic, so have to stay on the normal side of the road

    • @wayneeschbank2895
      @wayneeschbank2895 Před 11 měsíci +1

      This bus operation is on a freeway in Sydney's North West and it also runs in the middle of the freeway (bus only land) unlike and other bus operation where the bus would operate in the curb lane. This works very well as I used to drive buses on services that used this busway

  • @davidburrow5895
    @davidburrow5895 Před rokem +15

    The orange and red line busways in Minneapolis have stations in the middle of freeways with this same set-up. I agree that it's both kind of cool and also a bit disorienting.

  • @collectivelyimprovingtrans2460

    When you referred to how BRT can be presented as bad - that’s called the BRT Creep. The institute for transportation and development policy created a scorecard called the BRT standard to see if a system qualifies as a BRT. You need points to qualify, and then systems get a ranking like bronze silver or gold. The standard is there to point out when the BRT creep applies. The fact that there’s a standard that took the time to distinguish different levels of BRT is so cool that I suggest you check it out

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +3

      It’s sad that so many lines presented as BRT don’t have nearly enough points.

    • @collectivelyimprovingtrans2460
      @collectivelyimprovingtrans2460 Před rokem +2

      @@Thom-TRA Perhaps those systems don’t really notice how Latin America does it. Because they do it best.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +6

      Perhaps the problem is North American transit planners use the word “BRT” as a marketing strategy to convince people they’re building something high quality, when in reality they’ve just slapped a different paint scheme onto their buses and maybe run them every 15 minutes.

    • @alikaalex
      @alikaalex Před rokem

      BRT creep is one of the reasons I prefer BRT vehicles with doors on both sides. Dual-side doors makes it harder for transit agencies to relegate BRT to curb lanes. Even better: high-level boarding for BRT buses, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen that implemented in the USA.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +1

      @@alikaalex there’s a lot of high level boarding brts in the US! Sometimes it’s their only redeeming feature

  • @barrypurslow8320
    @barrypurslow8320 Před rokem +6

    There is one tram line in Zurich that is in a subway. The stations in the subway have island platforms, so the lines cross over each other at either end to allow for right-hand boarding

    • @vahonenko
      @vahonenko Před rokem +3

      Yes, we have in Ukraine a similar thing, too. In Kryvyi Rih there is a so-called 'rapid' tram line, which runs underground under the city center, the stations have island platforms, and the rolling stock is good old Czech Tatras, so they are one-directional and have doors on the right side only. Outside the city center the line goes on the surface, so the tracks cross each other and then the line goes like usual tram with ride-hand traffic and side platforms.

  • @ordinaryorca9334
    @ordinaryorca9334 Před rokem +4

    Reminds me of the Charleroi Metro (it's really a tram system) in Belgium. They cut costs by building island platforms on their own right of way, but the unidirectional trams required a changeover when going from the road to the viaducts.

  • @goldenoodles6281
    @goldenoodles6281 Před rokem +2

    I would have loved to see you enter the El Monte Station (Bus) to see how the LA Metro bus system worked. I personally use it to transfer whenever I take the bus home afterschool. It amazes me how the entire system works and everything just runs almost perfectly with atleast a minimum of 5 buses running through just the lower level.

  • @jacobml
    @jacobml Před rokem +16

    We've not got anything like this, but the central bus station in my city in Germany is like a big roundabout that goes in the wrong direction with a platform in the middle. I've always thought it could be better designed.. These lanes in LA were very interesting to see though :D

    • @nicolorivoir4399
      @nicolorivoir4399 Před rokem

      Lindau?

    • @Chrizz06041980
      @Chrizz06041980 Před rokem

      Plochingen?

    • @Ianchia860
      @Ianchia860 Před rokem

      Very common in Toronto's bus loops in subway stations too

    • @tomminear286
      @tomminear286 Před rokem

      That happens a lot in the US as well, the island in the middle with bus stops on either side. Although I don't recall seeing anything quite resembling a roundabout at a bus terminal; the islands tend to be more rectangular, maybe rounded at the ends if no stops are there.

  • @dominic8054
    @dominic8054 Před rokem +3

    The Indy Red Line has center platforms but have fully electric buses that have doors on both sides

    • @dangelohartley5977
      @dangelohartley5977 Před rokem

      Now that you mentioned that, here's a video of the bus on the left hand side of the road on a Island Platform:
      czcams.com/video/OtjZ2441urM/video.html
      This one is on the right side of the road: czcams.com/video/2MtUIrNi2QY/video.html

  • @alexyukon0823
    @alexyukon0823 Před rokem +1

    Silver streak for Foothill Transit was likely a tie in to the Metro Silver line, noting that they share the bus way from DTLA to El Monte. Foothill continues on to Montclair, and if memory serves me right, the fares are rather comparable between the two operators on that stretch

  • @charsiubau1
    @charsiubau1 Před 10 měsíci

    Glad that you make an introduction about El Monte Busway. I was once driving on I-10 and found it very amusing that there is a part of HOV that drives on left side temporarily, and wanted to revisit the route again. Took me a while to enter the HOV at Acadia and go eastbound (destination San Gabriel), then we were on the busway again.

  • @amfm889
    @amfm889 Před rokem +1

    The MBTA had trolley buses with doors on both sides that were ordered that way because of the Harvard Square bus tunnel. The buses enter from both ends of the tunnel but then immediately separate into an upper and lower level. Because the platforms are on one-side-only in each level (designed for a cross-platform transfer to the subway), doors on the right allowed passengers to exit onto the platform- similar to an island setup. Thing is, the trolley buses are now gone, and when regular diesel-electric buses discharge passengers on the lower level, the doors are on the "wrong" side (on the right), open against a wall, and you have to walk AROUND the front of the bus to reach the platform. Pretty clever station when designed, but now no one makes buses with left-hand doors.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +1

      I remember walking into the tunnel at Harvard, only a few weeks after the trolley bus service had ended. Sad to have missed it.

    • @jimjacobs1789
      @jimjacobs1789 Před rokem +1

      Between 1930 and 1940, the MBTA's predecssor purchased gasoline buses with both right and left side doors. The left doors were used for passengers exiting and boarding on the surface level of Broadway Station in South Boston and also on the lower level of Dudley Street Station (now Nubian Station) in Roxbury. Most of these buses were manufactured by ACF.

  • @newenglandskier13
    @newenglandskier13 Před rokem

    On Chasse Street in Auburn, Maine you have to drive on the left side of the street because it is sandwiched between two one way roads. It has a small median down the middle, but there is at least one intersection with a driveway to a business on it.

  • @CameronLandels
    @CameronLandels Před rokem +3

    Thanks for the video Thom! I enjoyed learning more about the transportation system in LA. The busway is pretty unique and I can see why it runs on the left hand side. It's interesting how you've got the Metrolink rail line (I think it's single track in the busway), the freeway (motorway we say in British English) plus the busway all in a short space etc. Thank you as well for the pavement recognition! 🙂

  • @johnkolassa1645
    @johnkolassa1645 Před rokem +1

    Thanks for another fine video, and thanks for pointing out this clever solution to providing buses with an island platform. The Boston T green line faces a similar issue, and addresses it using doors on the left, which, as you point out, costs some seats. (I vaguely recall jump seats allow seating at doors that aren't about to open.) In the ADA era, saving the platform also saves elevators.

  • @djsanchez718
    @djsanchez718 Před rokem +1

    I am glad you came now that the island is in place. It is an interesting feel. I take Silver Streak to work from LA to Pomona... it is a good line for us that use it.

  • @apollotransit6711
    @apollotransit6711 Před rokem +1

    Fort Collins’ BRT route has buses cross over each other at stations to accomplish the same thing. Cool video overview, and not something I was aware of!

  • @eddieflxible379
    @eddieflxible379 Před rokem +1

    after having lived in LA for over 3 decades ( 1982-2019 ), one thing that must be understood is that in the 80s, the LA Bus system under RTD was really deteriorating in terms of reliability, especially for the folks in the San Gabriel Valley. In Fact, almost all of the Foothill Transit routes are former RTD and MTA ( commonly known as Metro nowadays) except for 2 or 3 lines. But anyways, Metro has handed over many lines to the municipal operators of LA County, as in my opinion, the other agencies do a much more better job in managing service and listening to their customers needs. The most controversial handover was when Metro handed over Lines 194 ( Downtown LA-Pomona via Valley Blvd ) and Lines 190 ( Downtown LA-Brea Mall via El Monte/Pomona ) to Foothill Transit. It even made newspaper headlines in the SGV as I can recall, as there was fear that Foothill Transit would do a lousy job in running the transfered service...which in my opinion they have done a good job so far.
    I think the reason why the El Monte Busway runs opposite of traffic is for the general ease for the buses and all Fast Track traffic to transition into the regular flow once the busway ends. The main problem is how to prevent Fast Track cheats from evading the toll. Caltrans have tried the plastic delineators, but those seem to get knocked down now more than ever.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      I don’t mind all the different operators as long as the fare integration is good! I’d like to go back and take a closer look

  • @SeaBassTian
    @SeaBassTian Před rokem +1

    Great video! I'm not sure why but here in Richmond, the Pulse BRT line runs on the left hand side of the road for a short part of the route and when you board at the Arts District, the bus is definitely on the "wrong side" but it is a dedicated lane and other motorists are prohibited from using it (but they do sometimes!)

  • @mayrarecinos148
    @mayrarecinos148 Před rokem +1

    Thanks trains are awesome channel I'm one bus operator and just found out your channel and your information is the big value many many residents and tourists don't know how Los Angeles transportation work you making a excellent job with your channel 100% support to you 😀 👏 💯👌👍

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      I’m so glad you appreciate it. I like LA’s transit network a lot. Keep doing what I you do!!
      PS, what operator do you work for, if you’re comfortable sharing?

  • @lucaspadilla4815
    @lucaspadilla4815 Před rokem +2

    LA has a pretty damn good bus system, if several key buses were underground LA would have a subway system like London

    • @CityLifeinAmerica
      @CityLifeinAmerica Před rokem

      LA kind of achieves this with their underground light rails, and bus ways, in addition to the Purple and Red lines.

    • @lucaspadilla4815
      @lucaspadilla4815 Před rokem

      @@CityLifeinAmerica There are not nearly enough rail lines in LA to make it even close. Also with how sprawling that city is, building lower speed light rail that goes thru street intersections makes no sense other than the price tag (or being cheap). I love the red/purple line cuz it’s grade separated and gets you between those areas FAST, there should be a grid of those subways

  • @adamaviation6236
    @adamaviation6236 Před rokem

    Here in Singapore there are a few bus stops on one way roads with bus stops on the wrong side so the bus stop is basically an island in the middle of the road

  • @anthonywarrener1881
    @anthonywarrener1881 Před rokem +2

    Thank you very much for this fascinating video ! I’m glad you answered the question ! Oh, and I also like riding buses ! I must say the LA system looks great, and will have to plan a visit there sometime.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +1

      I’m thinking of going back someday and challenging myself to see how fast I can ride one bus of each agency!

    • @alhollywood6486
      @alhollywood6486 Před rokem

      I would not recommend the buses if you can take the subway/light rail

  • @peterwarner358
    @peterwarner358 Před rokem +1

    Harbor Freeway Station has a lane inversion. That is the technical name for what you described here.

  • @calebm6684
    @calebm6684 Před 11 měsíci

    I live in Indiana. Our capital built a BRT with doors on both sides to allow for both island and side platforms

  • @ck4426
    @ck4426 Před rokem +3

    Trains are awesome and these buses are too!!! I had no idea LA had so many bus systems!!!

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +2

      Yeah it’s dizzying. I kind of want to go back and film a challenge there.

  • @alfredoacosta5600
    @alfredoacosta5600 Před rokem +6

    11:07 Omnitrans in San Bernardino has a BRT called SBX, that service has a mix of street running and its own median, buses have doors on both sides

    • @alikaalex
      @alikaalex Před rokem +1

      I need to check that out as I prefer BRT buses with doors on both sides. You lose a few seats, but it encourages transit agencies to run their busways in street medians rather than using poorly implemented curb lanes.

    • @lyndakorner2383
      @lyndakorner2383 Před rokem +2

      sbX is excellent in most ways, but even it has some design issues.

  • @amber7705
    @amber7705 Před rokem

    Hey this is my city hahahaha! I’ve been learning about walkable cities, reliable transportation, and other stuff of that sort (mainly due to channels like NotJustBikes) and it’s so funny to see my city on your channel.

  • @MrRyukage
    @MrRyukage Před rokem

    While I was living in Irving,TX. One of the transit centers uses an platform like that

  • @tomminear286
    @tomminear286 Před rokem +1

    If you ride the J to Harbor/105, the stops there are on the opposite side

  • @erichuxel5408
    @erichuxel5408 Před rokem

    There is that section of I-5 north of Castaic where all lanes switch to the left but that is not strictly transit.

  • @marcoseliasmep
    @marcoseliasmep Před rokem

    Oh that is really interesting! I would never imagine they switch the lane to get passengers on the right doors. Here in São Paulo some buses have doors at both sides. It is weird at first but we get used to it. Most BRTs in the world use doors at the left side only.
    There is one different corridor here in São Paulo that uses right doors but operates on the left lane. Linha 3160 (route 3160), I have a video of the full route here.

  • @londonwhaley8690
    @londonwhaley8690 Před rokem

    I enjoy the video👍👍

  • @bryanCJC2105
    @bryanCJC2105 Před rokem +3

    Great video. Love seeing BRT service. It's a really good way to expand rapid transit. For most people, it's the speed that matters, not the mode.
    It's a shame that only the Harbor and San Bernardino Freeways have BRT service. Most freeways in LA, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange Counties have HOV lanes but with no provisions for BRT. Many freeways have been widened but w no provisions for BRT stations. I think that's a big miss since by LA METRO. LA METRO is also responsible for LA's freeways.
    San Diego County has done a pretty good job using the HOV lanes for dedicated BRT routes w stations on the freeway connected to streets above.
    Aside from the 2 actual BRT lines, there are 3 Metro "Rapid" Bus lines w limited stops. Just over a year ago, there were 33 Rapid Bus lines. 29 were discontinued for a variety of issues, not the least being that the "Rapid" buses were no different than the previous "Limited" buses, just rebranded and painted Red, except that service along the local routes were cut for additional Rapid service, angering many bus riders.
    The "Rapid" services were largely eliminated and increased service along the local lines was provided. This just shows that "local" and "Rapid" services must work together to be successful because they work in tandem for the same customer. LA METRO didn't understand that.

  • @tazareal
    @tazareal Před rokem

    Some BRT's have doors on both sides for island platforms. Leon, Mexico is the one I think of but I think there's one in Mexico City as well.
    One thing I haven't seen in the USA yet is the guided busway, of which there's several examples in Britain.

  • @ehavertyehaverty164
    @ehavertyehaverty164 Před 2 měsíci

    In Mexico City the 10 Trolebus runs on the left side on its own elevated guideway

  • @xmdz8903
    @xmdz8903 Před 2 měsíci

    Not a bus line, but a tram line. In Vienna, tram line 26 operates in an section with one station on it on the left side. This section is elevated and due to Vienna's trams with doors on only one side, they decided to let the tram operate on the left, so they only need one Plattform on the elevated section.

  • @nixcails
    @nixcails Před rokem

    I took the BRT in Rio de Janeiro As someone from a Right Hand Drive country where you pass on the left was strange to board the BRT via a leftside door. Many UK and Irish Coaches have right hand centre doors for ease of use when touring in mainland Europe. Ditto the German, Dutch and Belgian coaches that do tours of Devon, England (Popular with fans of Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes) and Kernow although in parts of both places the narrowness of the roads means you drive in the middle and pull into a passing space on the left.
    Always fun on a double decker service route.
    The drive on the left countries in Europe are Great Britain, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta. (Sweden used to but changed to driving on the right on 3rd September 1967, the whole process was relatively trouble free)
    BRT is usually a cost saving cop out or a political hot potato used by local authorities who can't justify a tram, light rail or reinstated rail line. In English Cities and Counties this is often the case. Gosport- Fareham's 'Eclipse' busway with pay on bus fares replaced an initial light rail plan with a simple private unguided bus only road. The Luton- Dunstable guided busway was built on an old railway line after a study to reinstate the railway and then to contemplate light rail was water down to buses. Then the Manchester to Leigh guided busway was built as the governments national and local deemed extending the Metrolink not cost effective. The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway (which when opened was the longest in the world) was again decided on after reinstatement of railway or a light rail system was seen as too expensive. Meanwhile Bristol the largest city in the West got a Busway style BRT with off bus ticketing but mostly on mildly improved existing bus lanes as the government acknowledged it was one of the largest cities with no light rail and limited commuter rail.
    BRT has its use BUT it rarely attracts people to modal shift like light rail and commuter rail does.

  • @jasonplatt2228
    @jasonplatt2228 Před rokem +1

    I'm not sure if the Silver Streak got its name this way, but Silver Streak was a buddy comedy film starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor and involved a fictional train line called the Silver Streak. It was a very popular and funny film. If you never seen it, I highly recommend it! Thank you for the video, I used to live in the Los Angeles area but had to move away in 2017. But these videos keep me from being totally homesick. As a fan of trains and other public transit, I just love your videos no matter what area you cover, though!

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +1

      In my research I did read about that movie, but I couldn’t find any relation to this bus. Obviously, naked grandma is way more plausible 😂

    • @jasonplatt2228
      @jasonplatt2228 Před rokem

      @@Thom-TRA lol! I like the originality but I'm not so sure if that name will help or hurt ridership--I guess it would depend on the naked grandma!

  • @caioalmeida7452
    @caioalmeida7452 Před rokem

    In São Paulo, and other cities in Brasil we have buses with doors on both sides

  • @bink023
    @bink023 Před rokem

    not sure if this counts ... but buses in Toronto entering Lawrence station (an underground bus terminal/subway station) use opposite side tunnels and an island platform.

  • @urb_
    @urb_ Před rokem

    The 9 de Julio Metrobus in Buenos Aires does the same switch, as well the Ankara BRT in Turkey!

  • @nicholasbyrne6485
    @nicholasbyrne6485 Před 11 měsíci

    Public transport in Brisbane Australia is not perfect, but all modes of transportation use the same ticketing (Go card), and our BRT (Busways) are separated from main traffic, with side platforms.

  • @MrJstorm4
    @MrJstorm4 Před rokem

    In Minneapolis instead of the bus driving on the wrong side of the road it'll drive on the correct side of the highway most to the way and then switch sides once it gets to the the station

  • @Alex_catz
    @Alex_catz Před rokem

    Harbor freeway station also does that in LA!

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +1

      Wow, so the J Line does it twice!

  • @jacobwhitecotton
    @jacobwhitecotton Před 2 měsíci

    OGX in Ogden, Utah does this

  • @drdewott9154
    @drdewott9154 Před rokem +2

    There's actually a similar setup at Copenhagen Central station in Denmark, where the northbound buses serving the station cross over onto an island platform on the side of the road, and exit into an intersection to go back on the normal side afterwards, while the southbound buses just unload at the island platform which to them is their sidewalk.
    A similar setup is proposed for some BRT lines being studied in Copenhagens suburbs where space is too tight for double platforms.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +1

      It’s a clever solution to be honest. Just requires a little extra engineering lol.

  • @schwenda3727
    @schwenda3727 Před rokem

    The main thing I think that turn of the century highway rebuilds/widenings/redesigns got severely wrong with HOV lane placements is the location within the far left lane.
    Inadvertently but HIGHLY effectively, said HOV lanes COMPLETELY corrupt basic lane discipline off-peak (moving around the speed limit) as well as traffic flow in general during peak rush periods (total GRIDLOCK standstill congestion). Incoming traffic quite likely cuts all the way over to the left into the HOV lane and traffic preparing to get off of the highway starting FROM the HOV lane has to do the very same tricky maneuver the other way around. And dedicated surface ramps for HOV lanes are quite rare, thus exacerbating said weaving or “traffic generation” in similar fashion as a long outmoded cloverleaf interchange that lacks the “collector” lane that’s physically separating on/offramp traffic from thru traffic.
    How HOV lanes SHOULD HAVE been designed from the getgo:
    >100% physically separated from the general purpose lanes
    >constructed on the far rightmost parts of the highway’s ROW
    >access to/from the overwhelming majority of all surface road interchanges
    & wider underpasses exclusively so a proper silver or gold standard BRT line could eventually be built along the very same HOV lane system/infrastructure- with plenty of stations inbetween and MUCH closer to surface streets than the freeway itself.
    HOV vehicle traffic is more efficient, regular freeway traffic is more efficient, AND far more effective & efficient transit than previously before is added to serve people who already know if/when said freeway is going to be moreso a parking lot than actually moving (“ope; I’ll just park right there and catch the bus that goes in front of the office or the stadium while laughing at the stalled line of cars on the same path”)

  • @tomminear286
    @tomminear286 Před rokem

    In case your original question hasn't been answered already, the buses run on the left at Union Station (as well as County USC Medical Center) because it's easier, and less expensive, to build an island platform rather than a separate platform for each direction.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      So you just decided to watch the first 5 seconds and comment, without watching any of the rest of the video…?

  • @starrwulfe
    @starrwulfe Před rokem +1

    2:39 -- Wow, the 212 LaBrea-Hollywood/Inglewood is still plying the streets! This was my first ever bus commute in junior high and high school (Crozier MS & Inglewood HS!) City of Inglewood has no school buses, but gave out passes for RTD (now Metro). When I rode, it was mostly Division 15 Neoplans but a few Flixble Metros and TMC RTS were sometimes thrown in.
    I developed transit fever since I was also around for the opening of the Blue (A) line in 1990 and Red and Green (B)(C) lines after that. Thanks LA for being a great city for 12 year old me to become a transport nerd!

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      It’s always fun to reminisce about where you first became passionate about trains! It was Tokyo for me when I lived there as a little kid

  • @deathbat748
    @deathbat748 Před 11 měsíci

    They don't drive on the left unless they're turning left somewhere ahead and passengers are always discharged on the right side of the bus where the doors are located.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 11 měsíci

      You clearly did not watch the video

  • @FEARNoMore
    @FEARNoMore Před rokem +1

    Hey, you're bringing me back to my youth. I remember visiting my sister at Cal State & on my way to union station on this busway. Thanks Btw, didn't know you weren't rom the U.S. Your American english is perfect. ;)

  • @AlexCab_49
    @AlexCab_49 Před rokem +1

    We need more bus ways in LA and have them double as HOV lanes

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +1

      I’d say they need more subway lines

    • @AlexCab_49
      @AlexCab_49 Před rokem

      @@Thom-TRA That would work in Central LA but not in the Valley or Harbor region.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      @@AlexCab_49 there are so many people in the valley begging for trains

    • @AlexCab_49
      @AlexCab_49 Před rokem

      @@Thom-TRA Problem is that most people drive and look down on public transportation here in The Valley and car culture is very huge here that people without cars are seen as weird or irresponsible.

  • @fdsafi8we7r67ga8sfh
    @fdsafi8we7r67ga8sfh Před rokem

    Als mensen vragen aan welke kant ze in jou land reiden dan is dat meestal een teken dat je gefaald hebt met het opkomen van een interessant onderwerp

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      Je hebt twee soorten domme mensen:
      Domme mensen die domme vragen stellen, en oerdomme mensen die rondlopen met het gevoel dat zij verantwoordelijk zijn voor de domme acties van anderen.
      Vaak kun je zien dat iemand dom is, als ze woorden zoals “rijden” en “jouw” verkeerd spellen.

  • @middletransport
    @middletransport Před rokem +2

    There are quite a few BRT systems in the US with buses with doors on both sides to fit into more narrow arterial roads. The TEMPO system in the Bay Area is one such example. It runs in the median of a relatively narrow road and this, lane switching would not be a good idea.

  • @robk7266
    @robk7266 Před rokem +1

    Actually, LA proper has another bus provider: LADOT

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      Actually, I mentioned that in the video

    • @robk7266
      @robk7266 Před rokem

      @@Thom-TRA oh. I guess I missed it. Sorry

  • @IamTheHolypumpkin
    @IamTheHolypumpkin Před rokem

    But as a train channel you should be well aware that a lot of countries with right hand traffic for automobiles trains run left hand traffic.
    I know Switzerland, Sweden, France and Belgium all have left hand running trains.
    I'm not entirely sure about Spain, Portugal and Italy.
    I think most of central and Eastern Europe has right hand running trains.
    Austria is just whatever most doubletracked lines are build to support both left and right hand running but I think they persuade the goal of going entirely right hand running eventually.

  • @brianrecinos3914
    @brianrecinos3914 Před rokem +1

    This hobby of mine that I've done somewhat last year was using the Metro lines to explore the city. I've been to every station on the G Line (orange) that stretches out in the San Fernando valley. At 2:56-3:03, that's the last station for the G line (Chatsworth).
    I've been to every station on the Red line and Purple line (B and D line). 2:04 is the last station for those 2 lines (Union Station) which is also another stop for the J line (silver) that goes east to El Monte and south to San Pedro.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +1

      That sounds really fun!

    • @brianrecinos3914
      @brianrecinos3914 Před rokem

      @@Thom-TRA Thanks, I plan on taking the A, E, L, K and C lines eventually to explore more of the city. If you're interested in doing more videos about LA's metro rails, I read that the city is gonna be adding more lines to other parts. There are 4 that are underway already and two that have been approved for construction. The 4 are: D Line project heading for Westwood
      L Line project heading more towards the foothills
      K Line project heading towards LAX
      A regional connector project heading from Little Tokyo to the Metro Center.
      The 2 that have been approved are: an extension linking Artesia to Union Station and another line linking Van Nuys Station to Sylmar.

  • @insecureraven5777
    @insecureraven5777 Před rokem +1

    7:02 as a student of Cal State LA the ticket machine is actually where that bridge is at. So if one wanted to ride metro or foothill after riding metrolink, they would have to climb up the stairs up to the bus platform and then some more stairs upward into where the campus bridge is at, to your left. It’s a really big workout just for the ticket but usually people get off at the metro bus transit station upstairs and then go downstairs to their transportation of choice

  • @chromebomb
    @chromebomb Před rokem

    LA has so much potential but its still needs a lot of work

  • @humanecities
    @humanecities Před rokem

    I agree: trains > BRT… BUT! A couple bonuses about BRT are the generally lower capital cost and (at least in my area) less political opposition. We gotta work with what we can get. Hopefully some of our BRTs can be replaced by trains after proving themselves useful.

  • @knocturna9731
    @knocturna9731 Před rokem +1

    You should also check out the Silver Line stop at the Harbor Freeway Station.

  • @tacitdionysus3220
    @tacitdionysus3220 Před rokem

    Yeah, in Sydney (Australians drive on the left) we have something similar, with buses using island stops/stations on the M2 Motorway. But they only switch sides at the stops/stations, not for general driving on the motorway - See czcams.com/video/_bN21ruUhSQ/video.html at about 1:20 and 2:50 to see typical crossovers.

  • @baseballfan99
    @baseballfan99 Před rokem +1

    Next month on my US visit I have plenty of Transport days lined up including LA, Portland, Vancouver and New York/New Jersey including the mammoth 317 from Asbury Park to Philly. If I have time I will add this BRT to the list. 😳

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      Good luck with all your exciting plans!

  • @kevanhubbard9673
    @kevanhubbard9673 Před rokem

    Maybe they have employed bus drivers from England, Australia, South Africa,etc?!

  • @williamyoon7660
    @williamyoon7660 Před rokem +1

    Next BRT that should be checked out is San Francisco's Van Ness BRT! The dedicated center-running bus lanes on a 1.96-mile stretch of Van Ness Avenue are pretty standard, but the lanes are also electrified with parallel overhead wires.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      Do the buses use the wires?

    • @williamyoon7660
      @williamyoon7660 Před rokem

      @@Thom-TRA They are using them now, but right after the project was completed last April the substitution of diesel-hybrid buses for trolleybuses on MUNI Route #49 continued into the summer of 2022.

  • @Jpkjr52
    @Jpkjr52 Před rokem

    Thanks again John in Chicago

  • @KJW-Transit
    @KJW-Transit Před rokem +25

    It's because if they ran on the right the doors wouldn't be on the platform. It would be going into the road

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +23

      Thanks for… answering the question, I guess? Did you see the part of the video where I answered the question? Because that was kind of the point of the video.

    • @KJW-Transit
      @KJW-Transit Před rokem +2

      @@Thom-TRA yeah but I commented this before I got to that part

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +7

      @@KJW-Transit that’s my point…

    • @owenreese2216
      @owenreese2216 Před rokem +5

      It is useful for people who don't want to sit through a 12 minute video to answer a very simple question

    • @KJW-Transit
      @KJW-Transit Před rokem +1

      @@owenreese2216 I only answered one question. What do you mean?

  • @Brian-jk2ih
    @Brian-jk2ih Před rokem

    Minneapolis orange line on i-35w is a hybrid. The route is the left lane but as it enters and exits the few stations there is a signal where the busses cross over so the right hand doors open to island stations like la busway.

  • @vapajeannine504
    @vapajeannine504 Před rokem +3

    It will always be the El Monte Cristo to me from now on 😂

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +1

      And they should give people free sandwiches!

    • @CityLifeinAmerica
      @CityLifeinAmerica Před rokem +1

      @@Thom-TRA Free sandwiches with tap of your TAP card. One TAP Card and one sandwich per rider please.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      @@CityLifeinAmerica you get it haha

  • @davetissue
    @davetissue Před rokem

    there's a short section of bus ramp at the transbay terminal in san francisco that also has left side running

  • @lyndakorner2383
    @lyndakorner2383 Před rokem +1

    sbX in San Bernardino and Loma Linda is one of the best B.R.T. systems in the U.S., but even that line has some issues that need to be corrected.

    • @lyndakorner2383
      @lyndakorner2383 Před rokem

      sbX, incidentally, has vehicles that each have five sets of doors, two on the left and three on the right.

  • @jmcoupe
    @jmcoupe Před rokem

    I live in Madison, Wisconsin and the city is just starting to build a BRT line. A large portion of the line is going to have center (left) running lanes and stations.

    • @williamyoon7660
      @williamyoon7660 Před rokem

      I currently live in Boston, Massachusetts and have heard of the recently-implemented center-running bus lanes on Columbus Avenue in the Roxbury neighborhood. I find this project to be very interesting and I think it should definitely be implemented on several street-running sections of the MBTA Silver Line, ESPECIALLY a large portion of the Washington Street Corridor that runs through the South End and Roxbury neighborhoods. (Although the MBTA does brand the Silver Line as BRT, it lacks many BRT elements, and thus it cannot be described as such.)

  • @MrJamieBattle
    @MrJamieBattle Před rokem +1

    6:28 YOU LOSE!!

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      I could overhear his convo and turns out he actually had to go the other direction so he was fine

    • @MrJamieBattle
      @MrJamieBattle Před rokem

      @@Thom-TRA ah ok. But still at first look, it was a loss. Apparently i didn’t do LA enough on my visit in September 2022.

    • @InlandEmpiresoccer909
      @InlandEmpiresoccer909 Před rokem

      Worse feeling happened twice to me

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      @@InlandEmpiresoccer909 many times for me too

  • @jimbobjones5972
    @jimbobjones5972 Před rokem

    What is the answer to all such questions? "Can't dance." These buses cannot dance.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      Barbara Manatee would be very upset

  • @scottcary1
    @scottcary1 Před rokem

    Did you go to Carney's while in LA?

  • @brianhubert8418
    @brianhubert8418 Před rokem

    Wow that's quite the bus infrasctructure? Are the frequencies really as bad on these routes as it looks?

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +1

      They were on Saturday evening at least

  • @brucequinn
    @brucequinn Před rokem

    At solana beach ca and maybe some other Amtrak stops, the trains take (and stop on) the “wrong” left side of the two-train tracks. At many other stops Amtrak just runs on the normal right.

  • @deathbat748
    @deathbat748 Před 11 měsíci

    They don't run on the left, what are you talking about. It's a hov/ fast track accessible.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před 11 měsíci

      Watch the video before you make dumb comments like this

  • @iany6059
    @iany6059 Před rokem

    Why does union station use island platform?

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +1

      To maximize space I believe

  • @ChicagolandTransit
    @ChicagolandTransit Před rokem

    Buses are awesome

  • @history_leisure
    @history_leisure Před rokem

    I know some TER lines in France run on the left when France drives on the right

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem

      In fact, all railways in France, Belgium, and Switzerland run on the left! Even though the cars don’t

  • @HeStoned05
    @HeStoned05 Před rokem

    Check out the SBX bus in San Bernardino

  • @alexhaowenwong6122
    @alexhaowenwong6122 Před rokem +1

    Where in Europe are you from? You sound American.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +3

      I have the fortunate ability of being multilingual

    • @rbrouns9569
      @rbrouns9569 Před rokem +1

      @@Thom-TRA Cheeky answer! 🤣

  • @Brian-jk2ih
    @Brian-jk2ih Před rokem

    The SbX in San Bernardino is opposite they bought busses with doors on both sides thus Island stations don't matter.

  • @jackbates7467
    @jackbates7467 Před rokem +1

    Of course if you go 1500 miles the other way on I-10 you reach Houston's poor man version of this, buses that use HOV/toll lanes.

  • @lyndonglasgow3176
    @lyndonglasgow3176 Před rokem

    Promo`SM

  • @yaraihan
    @yaraihan Před rokem

    Those Island Platform On Bus Isn't Not Normal, In Jakarta, We Have TransJakarta Busway Buses That Most Of It's Stations Or Stops Are Island Platform And They Are Really Run On The Same Manner As El Monte Busway. The Different Thing Is El Monte Busway Runs Deviate The Normal US Traffic (US Traffic Usually Runs On The Right Side). However TransJakarta Runs Following Indonesian Traffic.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +2

      I said: “it’s unique for the United States”

  • @kevinhoward9593
    @kevinhoward9593 Před rokem

    I didn't know that LA had so many operators. It's probably confusing AF for someone that doesn't live there.

  • @LifeOnCoach
    @LifeOnCoach Před rokem

    ✌🏾

  • @Lillyabdlmtf
    @Lillyabdlmtf Před rokem

    Busses in LA are the worst. This is coming from a former Chicagoan who's mow an Angeleno. They're slow half the time unreliable infrequent service unless you're right in downtown and that's only because a lot of busses go in the same direction for at least part of the route.

  • @MusicalMylow
    @MusicalMylow Před rokem

    LOL El Monte Python

  • @drdewott9154
    @drdewott9154 Před rokem

    I know that the El Monte busway is actually the oldest busway in North America so I guess that makes it the US's very first BRT system.
    Though the HOV lanes are stupid. It just hinders the buses, makes the bus platforms dangerous, and there's no good way to even enforce it that I know of so of course people would try to get into the lane whenever traffic is otherwise too inconvenient! (and knowing drivers this could be waiting even just 10 seconds more in traffic).
    Its annoying that such is being proposed here to "Increase the share of Carpooling to reduce congestion" all while public transit here is suffering and gets little to no care from the state apart from the big infrastructure projects like a new BRT line or another highway expansion, all while bus services are being cut back nationwide and fares being the most expensive in the world.

    • @Thom-TRA
      @Thom-TRA  Před rokem +1

      Yeah and what I can’t wrap my mind around is that “carpooling” starts at 2 people! Like it’s just depressing to think about how many people ride solo in their vehicles for 2 people to be rewarded.

    • @MrJstorm4
      @MrJstorm4 Před rokem

      I don't know what the first busway was but the oldest one I know was in 1962 there were bus lanes added to the San Francisco Bay bridge. They were removed completely one year later due too those poor drivers.

    • @CityLifeinAmerica
      @CityLifeinAmerica Před rokem

      @@Thom-TRA Carpooling needs to be 3+ all the time. 2 people should be the norm of "personal vehicles" and SOVs should be discouraged as much as possible.

    • @alikaalex
      @alikaalex Před rokem +2

      I think LA Metro’s rates are still $1.75 per boarding. I don’t think that makes them among the nation’s highest, does it?

    • @Jon.Morimoto
      @Jon.Morimoto Před rokem +1

      ​@@alikaalex You're right. I hate uninformed/malicious commenters like "Dr" Dewott because they spread falsehoods. San Francisco Muni bus fare is $3 cash. New York is $2.75. London is £1.75 or about $2.20. LA fares are not the most expensive in California, let alone the whole world!

  • @damnimloomin
    @damnimloomin Před rokem

    The usvi could use those busses, they also drive on the left everywhere and is the us lol but I don’t think they have real busses just safari trucks

  • @AlexDahl
    @AlexDahl Před rokem +1

    I lived in LA for a few years and it is remarkable just how incompetently stupid the transit system is. BRT galore, and hardly anyone rides them. I mean, just look around, the buses are practically empty at most times of the day!
    They need faster things than buses to get people where they need to go, and trains should be everywhere! I want them to rip up every single "BRT" system and replace it with a train!

    • @CityLifeinAmerica
      @CityLifeinAmerica Před rokem +1

      The orange line BRT is pretty nice. Silver line is good on its dedicated right of way portions. I see nothing wrong with BRT done right. The Pulse thing on the other hand.....that is shitty.

    • @Geotpf
      @Geotpf Před rokem +3

      Transit use is still down nationwide from before the pandemic, especially during rush hour, due to more people still working at home.

    • @lyndakorner2383
      @lyndakorner2383 Před rokem +1

      What B.R.T. are you referring to? The old Orange Line was and is uncomfortably busy. I would never use it because of the number of passengers filling the vehicles.