DASHing around Century City

Century City is a part of L.A. famous for its lack of pedestrian life (though we've reported that there is a new push from urban planners to fix that with better street furniture, cafes, etc.). Would a new DASH bus line help? There is now talk of adding the minibus service (fairly popular downtown) to Century City:

The Los Angeles City Council directed transportation officials today to study the feasibility of implementing a DASH bus route in Century City. The Department of Transportation was asked to study possible routes within the area, as well as connections to the planned Metro Expo Line light-rail system. "In order to ensure the long-term success of Century City, it is critical that the city examine transit connections to, from and within Century City that provide for optimal local circulation and regional connectively," Councilman Jack Weiss wrote in his motion requesting the study. (CNS)

Comments

[DW]

Or how about a simple elevated branch/extension off of the Expo Line to serve Lot 36 at UCLA/Westwood? That would help in the short term provide an alternative to the Wilshire Subway in addition this would better connect to the dense off-campus housing that is right of the future Expo Line in Palms/Culver City.

[Peter McFerrin]

Amir K, Palms is already a UCLA student ghetto, both in university-owned and private housing. I would bet that the BBB #12, which goes from Palms to UCLA, is the busiest line in the Big Blue Bus system. So too with the Culver City #6 that goes up Sepulveda to UCLA.

Don Hosek is right--UCLA is really, really well-served by transit. The only problem now is that it's bus lines running on badly congested streets. Still, the levels of transit usage among UCLA students and employees are quite high. USC could probably beat it but the negotiations between MTA and USC over a "TrojanGo" program similar to UCLA's BruinGo have been at an impasse for at least two years.

[don Hosek]

I'm sorry, but UCLA is served by an embarrassing wealth of transit options already dude. Take a look at what's available and housing along those bus lines that go straight to campus. You can get rid of the car NOW.

[Amir K]

Peter, I agree that a Washington/National to Constellation in CC would be great down Motor. It could also be extended 1 mile to the bottom left triangle of Beverly Hills (Wilshire and Santa Monica) to have an inexpensive and quicker way for Culver City, Mar Vista and Cheviot Hills folk (I know, the last being a long shot!) to connect to the Wilshire subway. I mean, it would have to be ACTUALLY extended first, but it would be well located. Having said that, the DASH should connect Century City to the Wilshire line.

As for UCLA students, it would be interesting to see if the new student neighborhood could be along Motor and Venice Blvd. Right now it's a cheap neighborhood with lots of potential, and a consistent (ie: 24 hour) DASH could make driving and parking less attractive.

About those NIMBY's, can't we as an entire city claim Cheviot Hills under eminent domain? The needs of 5 loud people do not trump a 21st century transportation system. Even if we don't NEED their neighborhood, can't we just do it out of spite? Just kidding, Cheviot, you know I love you.

[Peter McFerrin]

DASH from Century City down Motor to the Expo Line terminus at Washington/National would work like gangbusters, but I guarantee that the Cheviot Hills NIMBYs would scream bloody murder at the idea.

[ucla student waiting for subway]

This sounds great, an immediate short-term partial solution to our problems in Westwood. With parking being such a nightmare for students near campus, being able to get to the C C mall by public bus would really help. Extending the route from the priciest westside like UCLA/ C C would also enable some of us to consider living further / cheaper from campus and commuting, leaving our cars back at our cheaper apartments or possibly home with our parents. My dream, though, is nice new light rail cars, and that subway to the sea, although I probably won't be in L A by then. Unless I can get a good job and afford to live here.

[ucla student waiting for subway]

This sounds great, an immediate short-term partial solution to our problems in Westwood. With parking being such a nightmare for students near campus, being able to get to the C C mall by public bus would really help. Extending the route from the priciest westside like UCLA/ C C would also enable some of us to consider living further / cheaper from campus and commuting, leaving our cars back at our cheaper apartments or possibly home with our parents. My dream, though, is nice new light rail cars, and that subway to the sea, although I probably won't be in L A by then. Unless I can get a good job and afford to live here.