A major transformation is moving forward along one of Los Angeles’ busiest transit corridors as LA Metro advances plans for a new Bus Rapid Transit system on Vermont Avenue, a project designed to improve travel times, reliability and street safety for tens of thousands of riders.
Metro is preparing a 12.4 mile Bus Rapid Transit corridor stretching along Vermont Avenue from Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood to 120th Street in South Los Angeles. The agency says Vermont Avenue currently serves more than 38,000 passengers each day, making it the most heavily used bus corridor in the Metro system.
The project is planned to introduce dedicated bus lanes, upgraded stations, improved traffic signals and street improvements intended to allow buses to move more efficiently through congested sections of Los Angeles.
Metro is targeting 2028 for the new Bus Rapid Transit service.
The project could represent a significant change for communities along Vermont Avenue, connecting residents to neighborhoods, schools, employment centers and other parts of the Metro rail and bus network.
According to Metro, dedicated lanes and special traffic signals are expected to help buses avoid some of the traffic delays that currently affect service along the corridor. The project also includes improvements intended to make stations and surrounding streets safer for pedestrians, including enhanced crosswalks and improved lighting.
The next major step begins Monday, August 10, when Metro launches a series of community meetings where residents, business owners and riders can learn about the latest plans and provide feedback.
The first meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at the Expo Center near Exposition Park. Metro will then hold two virtual meetings on Tuesday, August 11, followed by an in person meeting at Los Angeles City College on Thursday, August 13 and another meeting at the Metro Talent Hub in South Los Angeles on Saturday, August 15.
Metro says the same project information will be presented during each meeting, allowing residents to select whichever session is most convenient.
The Vermont Avenue corridor has long been identified as an important part of Los Angeles’ transportation network. Metro began studying major transit improvements for the corridor more than a decade ago, with Vermont Avenue identified as a strong candidate for Bus Rapid Transit because of its high ridership.
The project later received funding through Measure M, the transportation sales tax measure approved by Los Angeles County voters in 2016. Metro’s planning calls for Bus Rapid Transit service first, while the corridor could potentially be considered for rail service in the future if ridership and transportation needs continue to grow.
For riders, one of the biggest potential benefits will be faster trips.
Metro says the combination of dedicated lanes and traffic signal improvements is intended to reduce delays and create more dependable service. Unlike traditional buses that regularly compete with cars for space in congested traffic, Bus Rapid Transit systems can use dedicated infrastructure to keep vehicles moving.
The improvements could be particularly important along Vermont Avenue, which crosses several major Los Angeles neighborhoods and connects with multiple parts of the regional transit network.
The corridor reaches from the Hollywood area through Koreatown and communities near Exposition Park before continuing through South Los Angeles. Along the route, riders can connect with existing Metro rail and bus services.
The project is also moving forward as Los Angeles continues expanding and modernizing its public transportation system ahead of major international events expected to bring millions of visitors to the region over the coming years.
Metro has multiple large transportation projects underway across Los Angeles County, including continued construction of the D Line Subway Extension and additional rail, bus and station improvements throughout the region.
For communities surrounding Vermont Avenue, however, the upcoming meetings will provide one of the most direct opportunities to hear how the project could affect daily transportation, businesses and neighborhood streets.
Metro says the meetings will include project updates, information about construction and an opportunity for community members to provide feedback as the Vermont Transit Corridor continues moving forward.
If the project remains on schedule, riders could begin seeing a dramatically different Vermont Avenue transit experience by 2028.
For a corridor already carrying tens of thousands of passengers every day, the investment could become one of the most consequential bus transportation upgrades in Los Angeles in years.
