Long Beach at the center of transit

Long Beach built its new downtown around the Blue Line light-rail system. Now, the area is getting a new transit information center in the heart of the city center, according to the Press-Telegram:

Bathrooms and mobility were reasons to celebrate at the groundbreaking ceremony for Long Beach Transit's new downtown information center on Thursday.

Construction for the $3.9 million project is set to begin in about a week and end in December, said Larry Jackson, CEO and president of Long Beach Transit.

"This is no small undertaking," Jackson said.

At First Street and Pine Avenue behind the Renaissance Hotel, the center's features will include real-time bus schedule displays, customer service representatives and an outdoor touch-screen kiosk that provides 24-hour transit information.

It will replace a smaller center at 223 E. First St., said Long Beach Transit spokeswoman Marcelle Epley.