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Metro line from Los Angeles to North Hollywood

This article is about the currently operating subway. For the former Los Angeles rail system known as the "Red Car", see Pacific Electric.

B Line
B Line train at Union Station
Overview
Other name(s)	Red Line (1993–2019)
Owner	Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Line number	802
Termini	North Hollywood Union Station
Stations	14
Website	metro.net/riding/b-line
Service
Type	Rapid transit
System	Los Angeles Metro Rail
Depot(s)	Division 20 (Los Angeles)
Rolling stock	Breda A650 running in 4 or 6 car consists
Ridership	21,398,104[a] (2021) -6.1%
History
Opened	January 30, 1993; 29 years ago  (1993-01-30)
Completed	June 24, 2000; 22 years ago  (2000-06-24)
Technical
Line length	16.4 miles (26.4 km)[1]
Number of tracks	2
Character	Fully underground (except yard)
Track gauge	4 ft8+ 1⁄2  in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification	Third rail, 750 V DC
Operating speed	70 mph (110 km/h) (max.) 33.9 mph (54.6 km/h) (avg.)
Route map All stations are accessible Legend Arts District/6th Street (proposed) Division 20 yard Union Station US 101 Civic Center/Grand Park Pershing Square 7th Street/Metro Center SR 110 Westlake/​MacArthur Park Wilshire/Vermont D Line to Wilshire/Western Vermont/Beverly US 101 / SR 2 Vermont/Santa Monica Vermont/Sunset Hollywood/Western US 101 Hollywood/Vine Hollywood/Highland US 101 Universal City/Studio City SR 134 North Hollywood This diagram: view talk edit

The B Line (formerly Red Line from 1993–2020) is a 16.4 mi (26.4 km) rapid transit (known locally as a subway) line operating in Los Angeles, running between Downtown Los Angeles and North Hollywood. It is one of six lines on the Metro Rail system, operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The B Line is one of the city's two fully-underground subway lines (along with the D Line). The two lines share tracks through Downtown Los Angeles before separating in Koreatown. As of 2019^[update], the combined B and D lines averaged 133,413 boardings per weekday.^[2]

In 2020, Metro renamed all of its lines using letters and colors, with the Red Line becoming the B Line (retaining the red color in its service bullet) and the Purple Line becoming the D Line.

Service description [edit]

Route [edit]

The B Line is a 16.4 mi (26.4 km) line^[1] that begins at Union Station and travels southwest through Downtown Los Angeles, passing the Civic Center, Pershing Square (near the Historic Core) and the Financial District. The 7th St/Metro Center station allows riders to transfer to the A Line (Blue Line) and E Line (Expo Line). From here, the train travels between 7th Street and Wilshire Boulevard (and briefly Ingraham Street) west through Pico-Union and Westlake, arriving at Wilshire/Vermont in the city's Koreatown district. Up to this point, the track is shared with the D Line; at Wilshire/Vermont, the two lines diverge. The B Line travels north along Vermont, and then west along Hollywood Boulevard, traveling through Koreatown and Hollywood. Finally, the line turns northwest and crosses into the San Fernando Valley, where it terminates in North Hollywood.

This route roughly follows a branch of the old Red Car system through the Cahuenga Pass, dismantled in the 1960s during what was later called the General Motors streetcar conspiracy.

Hours and frequency [edit]

B Line trains run every day between approximately 4:30 a.m. and midnight. Trains operate every ten minutes during peak hours Monday through Friday, every twelve minutes during the daytime on weekdays and all day on the weekends after approximately 10 a.m. (with a 15-minute headway early Saturday and Sunday mornings). Night service is every 20 minutes.^[3]

Station listing [edit]

The following table lists the stations of the B Line, from north to south:

Station	Date opened	City/Neighborhood	Major connections and notes[4] [5]
North Hollywood	June 24, 2000	North Hollywood	Park and ride: 1,085 spaces
Universal City/Studio City		Studio City	Universal Studios Hollywood shuttle Park and ride: 782 spaces
Hollywood/Highland		Hollywood
Hollywood/Vine	June 12, 1999
Hollywood/Western		East Hollywood
Vermont/Sunset
Vermont/Sunset
Vermont/Santa Monica
Vermont/Beverly
Wilshire/Vermont	July 13, 1996	Mid-Wilshire/Koreatown
Westlake/MacArthur Park	January 30, 1993	Westlake	Park and ride: 6 spaces
7th Street/Metro Center		Downtown Los Angeles
Pershing Square
Civic Center/Grand Park
Union Station			Amtrak, LAX FlyAway and Metrolink Paid parking: 3,000 spaces

Ridership [edit]

Note: Ridership figures are for B and D Line combined.

Annual ridership

Year	Ridership	%±
2009	47,453,332	—
2010	47,434,969	0.0%
2011	46,964,495	−1.0%
2012	48,703,612	+3.7%
2013	51,030,536	+4.8%
2014	48,645,206	−4.7%
2015	46,356,726	−4.7%
2016	45,629,352	−1.6%
2017	44,861,106	−1.7%
2018	43,301,200	−3.5%
2019	41,775,490	−3.5%
2020	22,776,524	−45.5%
2021	21,398,104	−6.1%
Source: Metro[6]

History [edit]

The current B Line is the product of a long-term plan to connect Downtown Los Angeles to central and western portions of the city with a subway system. Original proposals in the 1980s had it running down Wilshire Boulevard to Fairfax Avenue and then north to the San Fernando Valley. Residents in some parts of the city bitterly opposed the subway. A 1985 methane explosion at a Ross Dress for Less clothing store near Fairfax gave Rep. Henry Waxman, who represented the Fairfax District, a reason to derail the project that was opposed by his constituents by prohibiting tunneling in an alleged "methane zone" west of Western on Wilshire.^[7]

After some political wrangling, a new route was chosen up Vermont Avenue to Hollywood Boulevard.

Interior decor and stairs to platform level of Hollywood and Vine station

The groundbreaking for the first segment of the subway was held on September 29, 1986, on the site of the future Civic Center/Grand Park station.^[8] Today's B Line was built in four minimum operating segments:

• MOS-1, consisting of five stations from Union Station to Westlake/MacArthur Park, opened on January 30, 1993, as the Red Line. (At this point, the line's operator was still the Southern California Rapid Transit District).^[9]
• MOS-2A, consisting of three stations from Westlake/MacArthur Park to Wilshire/Western, opened on July 13, 1996, although only one station on this section (Wilshire/Vermont) is on today's B Line.
• MOS-2B, consisting of five stations from Wilshire/Vermont to Hollywood/Vine, opened on June 12, 1999.^[10]
• MOS-3, extending the Red Line from Hollywood/Vine to North Hollywood, opened on June 24, 2000.^[11]

On June 22, 1995, during the construction of MOS-2B, a sinkhole appeared on Hollywood Boulevard, barely missing several workers and causing damage to buildings on the street.^[12] Subway construction was delayed during the investigation and repairs of the sinkhole. The contractor on that segment project was replaced, and because of the perceived mismanagement of Red Line construction, in 1998 voters banned the use of existing sales taxes for subway tunneling.^[13]

Train at North Hollywood Metro B Line station

Construction of MOS-3, by comparison, proceeded with relatively few issues. Tunneling from North Hollywood for the subway started in 1995. Workers dug under the Santa Monica Mountains using tunneling machines. Work progressed an average of 50 to 200 ft (15 to 61 m) daily, performed by work crews round-the-clock six days a week.

Original proposals for the subway system included expansions east from Union Station to East Los Angeles and west from North Hollywood towards the Warner Center transit hub in the San Fernando Valley. Barred from subway tunneling, Metro turned to other types of mass transit. In the San Fernando Valley, residents passed a law in 1991 mandating that any rail line in the area be built underground,^{[14] [15]} so Metro built a busway (now the G Line) from North Hollywood to Warner Center, which opened on October 29, 2005. East of Union Station, Metro built a light rail line with at-grade and underground segments to East Los Angeles, now part of the L Line, which opened on November 15, 2009.

Operations [edit]

Maintenance [edit]

Inside a Breda A650 car used on the Metro B and D Lines

The B Line operates out of the Division 20 Yard (Santa Fe Yard), located at 320 South Santa Fe Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles. This yard stores the fleet used on the B and D Lines, and where heavy maintenance is performed. Cars reach this yard by continuing past Union Station, making a right turn and surfacing at the Eastern terminus of Ducommun Street. They then travel south to 1st Street, through a washing station, and enter the yard.

Rolling stock [edit]

The B Line uses A650 75 ft (23 m) electric multiple unit cars built by Breda in Italy. Trains usually run in six-car configurations during peak hours and four-car configurations otherwise. The cars are maintained in a Metro yard on Santa Fe Avenue near 4th Street alongside the Los Angeles River in downtown Los Angeles.

In March 2017, Metro ordered new CRRC HR4000 railcars, which will operate on the B Line when they are delivered.^[16]

Potential future extensions [edit]

Eastbound platform at Universal City station

Extension to Arts District [edit]

In 2010, at the request of L.A. City Councilman Tom LaBonge, Metro staff studied the possibility of adding a station along the west bank of the Los Angeles River to 6th Street and Santa Fe Avenue. The study concluded that such an extension, completed at-grade along Metro-owned right-of-way, could be completed for as little as $90 million.

The study suggested an alternative station at the Division 20 Yard north of 4th Street and Santa Fe Avenue. This station would be closer to the residential population of the Arts District. As new turnback tracks will need to be built as part of the Purple Line Extension (to allow shorter headways), this Arts District extension could possibly be partially completed as part of the Purple Line Extension project, lowering the incremental cost of the station while increasing its usability.^{[17] [18]}

Extensions to the South [edit]

One of the proposals for the Vermont Transit Corridor being considered by Metro would extend a subway line from Wilshire/Vermont station down Vermont Avenue to 120th Street. Metro is also considering other types of mass transit for the line, including light rail and busway options.

Incidents [edit]

• On December 22, 2006, a rider accidentally spilled a vial of mercury on the platform at the Pershing Square station. He notified the operator on a passenger intercom before boarding a train, but Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department did not know of the spillage until eight hours later.^[19] In response, Metro implemented new hazardous materials (Hazmat) training to its field employees and operators.^[20]
• On August 19, 2011, near the Hollywood/Vine station, an altercation between two passengers resulted in one being fatally stabbed.^[21] The suspect was arrested on August 24.^[22]
• On September 4, 2012, a 54-year-old man fell onto the tracks at the North Hollywood station and was hit by an oncoming train.^[23] He was rushed to hospital, where he later died.^[24]
• On May 22, 2018, an unidentified man "probably jumped" onto the tracks at the 7th St/Metro Center station and was hit by an oncoming train. He rushed to a hospital, where he later died. It is unknown if it was suicide or not.^[25]

References [edit]

1. ^ Ridership is for B and D Line combined.

1. ^ ^{a b} "Regional Connector Transit Corridor Project Contract No. E0119 – Operations and Maintenance Plan (Final)" (PDF). 2.1 Metro Light Rail Overview. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority. September 10, 2013. pp. 2–1. Retrieved May 19, 2017. The Red Line operates 16.4 miles between Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and North Hollywood.
2. ^ "Interactive Estimated Ridership Stats". Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority. January 1, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
3. ^ "Metro B Line schedule". Metro. September 12, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
4. ^ "Metro B Line (Red)". www.metro.net . Retrieved July 23, 2020.
5. ^ "Metro Parking Lots by Line". www.metro.net . Retrieved July 23, 2020.
6. ^ "Metro Ridership". Metro.net. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. February 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
7. ^ Reft, Ryan (January 28, 2015). "Building Subways in the Post World War II World: Los Angeles and Washington D.C." Tropics of Meta . Retrieved November 14, 2021.
8. ^ "25 Years Ago Today: Los Angeles' Red Line Subway Breaks Ground". Dorothy Peyton Gray Transportation Library and Archive. September 29, 2011. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
9. ^ Katches, Mark (January 31, 1993). "Red Line Rolls to Raves – It's Smooth Railing As L.A. Subway Opens". Los Angeles Daily News.
10. ^ Hiestand, Jesse (June 13, 1999). "Hollywood Subway Picks Up Rave Reviews". Los Angeles Daily News.
11. ^ Sheppard, Harrison (June 18, 2000). "End of the Line". Los Angeles Daily News.
12. ^ GORDON, LARRY; KENNEDY, J. MICHAEL (June 23, 1995). "Street Vanishes in Subway Sinkhole : MTA: Burst water main weakens earth above tunnel, causing half a block of Hollywood Boulevard to collapse" – via LA Times.
13. ^ "Anti-Subway Funding Measure Wins Easily". Los Angeles Times. November 4, 1998. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
14. ^ Covarrubias, Amanda (October 18, 2005). ""Is a Busway the Valley Way?; The region's Orange Line is ready to roll but some wonder if it will do much to curtail traffic."". Los Angeles Times. p. A1.
15. ^ Lopez, Steve (July 27, 2001). "Hahn Tiptoes in Front of Buses, Is Flattened". Los Angeles Times.
16. ^ "L.A. Metro inks pact with CRRC for up to 282 new rail cars". Progressive Railroading. March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
17. ^ "Feasibility study" (PDF). media.metro.net. June 16, 2010.
18. ^ Nelson, Laura J. (March 18, 2015). "Metro could expand subway service to the downtown L.A. Arts District". Los Angeles Times.
19. ^ Blankstein, Andrew; Guccione, Jean (January 19, 2007). "MTA admits subway spill errors". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved February 2, 2007.
20. ^ Blankstein, Andrew; Guccione, Jean (January 24, 2007). "Transient held in MTA mercury spill". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2007.
21. ^ Powell, Amy (August 19, 2011). "Passenger fatally stabbed on Metro Red Line". KABC-TV . Retrieved February 1, 2016.
22. ^ Hernandez, Miriam (August 24, 2011). "Metro Red Line stabbing suspect arrested". KABC-TV . Retrieved February 1, 2016.
23. ^ "Man rescued from under Metro Red Line train at North Hollywood station". Los Angeles Daily News. September 4, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
24. ^ "Death Of Man Rescued From Underneath Metro Red Line Train Under Investigation". KCBS-TV. September 5, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
25. ^ "Man who 'probably jumped' in front of Metro Red Line train dies". May 22, 2018.

External links [edit]

Route map:

KML is from Wikidata

• MTA Home Page
• Red Line map and info
• Red Line schedule
• Red Line news

fallonwastatile.blogspot.com

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_Line_%28Los_Angeles_Metro%29

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