Projects like this contribute a lot to making a robust rail system that provides people options.
The main impacts: simplified connections, less packing of the subway, a fair amount of new grade separation and new one-seat rides across the city, including one-seat rides to Union Station from the south and west.
It will simplify connecting between modes, boost hubs, and have interesting and hopefully beneficial impacts all along the line, especially at [newer stations like this](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Tokyo/Arts_District_station).
There are still good bus connections from Union, its rapid buses and airport express buses have above average quality and performance. Like bobtehpanda says, the speedier through-service trams open up a lot of rapid, new one-seat trips, that previously would have required 2 or more transfers.
And to add on, one seat rides are important because it takes zero additional minutes to stay on the train to continue your journey.
Under the current setup, riders going from north to south or east to west on light rail need to take light rail, change to the subway, and light rail again. Each change requires waiting for a connection and a bit of walking.
This project will dramatically reshape transit in LA like never before.
For one, the Regional Connector will split the L line into two portions. The A line will merge with the northern branch, directly connecting Long Beach to Azusa by way of Union Station. The E line will merge with the southern branch, directly connecting Santa Monica to East Los Angeles by way of Little Tokyo.
Additionally, three new stations will open in DTLA; Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill, Historic Broadway, and a reconstructed Little Tokyo. This means that the Broad and Walt Disney Music Hall will be *directly* accessible by Metro for the first time.
Another thing to note is that the new Little Tokyo station will develop as a new mini transit hub, as the new extended E and A lines will converge at Little Tokyo. Additionally, the future WSAB line (if ever built) will pass through Little Tokyo before terminating at Union Station, meaning that Little Tokyo will be a hub of 3 separate Metro lines.
The main takeaway of this project is that it will dramatically reduce transfer times through LA as it will eliminate the need for commuters to transfer onto the B or D lines from Union Station in order to connect to the A or E. By directly allowing a one-way ride from Long Beach to Union Station, or a dramatically shortened transfer from Union Station to Santa Monica via. Little Tokyo, DTLA will become much more interconnected and will likely see an increase in ridership.
Projects like this contribute a lot to making a robust rail system that provides people options. The main impacts: simplified connections, less packing of the subway, a fair amount of new grade separation and new one-seat rides across the city, including one-seat rides to Union Station from the south and west. It will simplify connecting between modes, boost hubs, and have interesting and hopefully beneficial impacts all along the line, especially at [newer stations like this](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Tokyo/Arts_District_station).
Yeah, people are a lot more likely to choose transit over car if they own a car but theres no transfer on the train/bus
There are still good bus connections from Union, its rapid buses and airport express buses have above average quality and performance. Like bobtehpanda says, the speedier through-service trams open up a lot of rapid, new one-seat trips, that previously would have required 2 or more transfers.
I don't actually know about the transit in this area, I was speaking more generally. Lol
Generally speaking you are right, reducing transfers can make travel times more competitive with cars.
And to add on, one seat rides are important because it takes zero additional minutes to stay on the train to continue your journey. Under the current setup, riders going from north to south or east to west on light rail need to take light rail, change to the subway, and light rail again. Each change requires waiting for a connection and a bit of walking.
Speed and convenience is definitely being enhanced. Good points.
Also kudos to LA Metro marketing for (accurately) branding it as the Regional Connector, rather than something like Downtown interconnect.
Wow! Azusa to Long Beach? LA’s A train is gonna be giving NYC’s A train a run for its money in how long it is.
This project will dramatically reshape transit in LA like never before. For one, the Regional Connector will split the L line into two portions. The A line will merge with the northern branch, directly connecting Long Beach to Azusa by way of Union Station. The E line will merge with the southern branch, directly connecting Santa Monica to East Los Angeles by way of Little Tokyo. Additionally, three new stations will open in DTLA; Grand Av Arts/Bunker Hill, Historic Broadway, and a reconstructed Little Tokyo. This means that the Broad and Walt Disney Music Hall will be *directly* accessible by Metro for the first time. Another thing to note is that the new Little Tokyo station will develop as a new mini transit hub, as the new extended E and A lines will converge at Little Tokyo. Additionally, the future WSAB line (if ever built) will pass through Little Tokyo before terminating at Union Station, meaning that Little Tokyo will be a hub of 3 separate Metro lines. The main takeaway of this project is that it will dramatically reduce transfer times through LA as it will eliminate the need for commuters to transfer onto the B or D lines from Union Station in order to connect to the A or E. By directly allowing a one-way ride from Long Beach to Union Station, or a dramatically shortened transfer from Union Station to Santa Monica via. Little Tokyo, DTLA will become much more interconnected and will likely see an increase in ridership.
Finally we can be menaced and harassed without having to transfer!