The Gold Line begins its regular operations this weekend. So it is time to look at the ABC’s of travel on the light rail.
– All about the line: The extension includes six new stations along 11.5 miles of track. The stations are (in order going eastbound from Pasadena): Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale, Azusa/Downtown, and Azusa/APU Citrus College (APU is short for Azusa Pacific University). I assume this last station will be known simply as “college station” or the “student stop.”
In those 11.5 miles there are 24 bridges, but also 14 at grade street crossings. Those at grade crossings are all well marked and signaled. Remember to obey all the rules of the road. Never try to run the signal at any railroad crossing, even light rail.
Each of the new stations have parking structure adjacent to the stop. There are 300 spots in Arcadia while Duarte has only 125. Monrovia and Irwindale each have 350 spaces in their parking structures. Azusa/APU Citrus College has 200 spaces, while at the downtown station there is a parking structure with over 500 spaces, but it is shared with the City of Azusa and Foothill Transit. Two hundred of the spaces have been allotted for Gold Line use, but according to an Azusa official, they are not yet enforcing the restriction.
Along the route, just east of the Monrovia station, is the Gold Line maintenance and operations yard. This 24-acre site can hold 84 cars at any one time. It houses the repair shops, the cleaning facilities, and even the car wash for the Gold Line.
– Basics of riding: Remember to get on the train going in the right direction. In stations with one platform, the trains on the north side of the platform are going toward Los Angeles and those on the south side are going eastbound toward San Bernardino. When there are two platforms with the tracks running between them: if you want to go westbound stand on the north-side platform, or on the south-side platform to go eastbound. For the navigationally challenged, if you want to go to Pasadena or Los Angeles, stand closer to the mountains. In stations with two platforms, only cross the tracks using designated crosswalks. They are easy to spot: there are gates on each side of the tracks. Never jump from the platform to cross the tracks.
Cost of riding. The basic fare is $1.75 which includes transfers for two hours. There are also day passes for $7, and a weekly pass is $25. The monthly pass is $100 (known as a TAP card). There are discount rates available for K-12 students, college and vocation education students, senior citizens, the disabled, Medicare recipients, and low income riders. For more information on these rates and how to apply for the appropriate pass, go to www.metro.net/riding/fares.
Remember, this is only the beginning of the next step, taking the line out to Montclair. The environmental studies for this next segment are complete. The Los Angeles County portion of this extension is part of Metro’s long-range plans, but has not yet been funded. If the line is to continue out to Montclair and (dare we dream big) the Ontario Airport, San Bernardino County will need to become involved.
For more information about this service, visit www.metro.net/riding/line501.
