New Metro line chugs through development
The Expo light-rail line is was initially projected to be completed next year, but it may be ahead of schedule. The Expo Line Systems Integration Testing, which tests the safety of each line, started in early April and is already ahead of schedule. As a result, Samo students can expect many major changes with this new extended transportation service to major destinations both locally and regionally.According to Metro, the Expo line is being built with modern light rail technology (LRT), which uses pollution-free electric rail cars. This allows for more efficient transit that is convenient, environmentally friendly and easily-accessible. LRT will allow students to go wherever they want without the hassle of parking and automobile congestion which is a daily problem for those who travel from Santa Monica to Los Angeles or other regional areas in LA County.According to Nicole Gaglione (’16), the Expo line will be a beneficial addition to Santa Monica.“I think the Expo line is a beneficial idea,” Gaglione said. ” It makes Santa Monica and other places in Los Angeles more accessible to people who are commuting to their jobs.”Additionally, trains will be running every 12 minutes during rush hour and every 10 to 20 minutes during midday and in the evenings for the convenience of passengers. By expanding transportation services and increasing access to and within regional areas, the Expo line will ultimately encourage growth while also reducing traffic on busy streets. This could potentially reduce the traffic congestion for students coming to and from school.According to Gaglione, the Expo Line will help make student lives a lot easier.“A lot of people will like that [the Expo line] will reduce traffic and make it easier for people to get to different places from school,” said Gaglione. “Even though I don’t have a sixth period, there is always a lot of traffic when I get picked up. Hopefully [traffic] will go down once the Expo line is put to use.”Increased services of the Big Blue Bus (BBB) to rail stations will also result in a fare increase for bus riders. According to BBB officials, regular fares will increase a quarter, from one dollar to a dollar twenty-five. BBB is projecting a 4-percent increase in passenger revenue because of the coming Expo line. However, this fare increase will directly impact many Samo students who take the bus frequently to school.Some locations will be closing in Santa Monica due to the Expo line as well. The Santa Monica Museum of Art is leaving its longtime location at Bergamot Station because the proposed redevelopment of the arts center has been delayed and is moving to Culver City. This area of Bergamot, is currently controlled by the City of Santa Monica and will be contracted to the Metro to create a rail line stop at Bergamot Station for the upcoming Expo line.For Samantha Gillespie (’16) , the loss of the art museum does not outweigh the benefit of having the Expo line run to Santa Monica.“I’m really excited about the expo line coming,” Gillespie said. “However, I’m rather sad that the Santa Monica art museum is moving. I used to go there regularly with my family. On the positive side, the expo line will be wonderful source of transportation. I can go downtown whenever I need to.”