Proposal to Convert Orange Line BRT to Light Rail

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Did a search, but couldn't find an existing topic on this.

L.A. Metro receives proposal to fast-track Orange Line conversion to light rail

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has received an unsolicited proposal from Fluor Enterprises Inc. to accelerate conversion of the Orange Line bus rapid transit (BRT) route to a light-rail line.

The proposal calls for a public-private partnership (P3) to make that happen, Metro officials said in a press release yesterday.

Metro's Office of Extraordinary Innovation is assembling a review team to evaluate the concept. The team will decide whether to advance the proposal to the next phase of review, decline further review or proceed directly to a competitive solicitation, Metro officials said.

"Since we announced our new unsolicited proposal policy to the public one year ago, we have been gratified by the strong response," said Metro Chief Innovation Officer Joshua Schank. "We are seeing innovation at its best in the proposals and we look forward to delivering projects and programs — supported by P3s — to improve the quality of life of our region."
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The Orange Line BRT route opened in 2005 and has surpassed "even the most liberal ridership projections," Metro officials said. In 2012, the route was extended from L.A.'s Canoga Park neighborhood to the Metrolink and Amtrak station in Chatsworth, Calif.

As I recall, the original idea was for a light-rail line and for various reasons BRT was substituted as a temporary measure. (For one thing, there is no rail-accessible maintenance facility nearer than the Gold Line in downtown LA--the buses are maintained at an existing facility in the Valley which maintains other, conventional buses used in the area.) The recent extension may require a large-enough fleet of LRVs to justify a new shop in the Valley.

Oddly enough, Orthodox Jews have filed an objection against this line being converted to a light rail line.

While I think they are being a tad silly with this one, I am not about to dismiss the religious objections of any religious group, because this is America and we're better than that.

Shabbat prohibits the use of automobiles and electricity, so many Orthodox Jews walk to synagogue. The objection they have is that they will be in greater danger crossing a light rail line on foot, especially in the later hours of the day. Why crossing a light rail line is somehow more dangerous, especially when compared to crossing a dedicated busway, is not explained.

Personally, I'd rather cross a light rail or bus line, where the operators are professionals, than any street where your average Joe is trying to balance his iPhone so he can text while using his knees to steer.

they protested the original BRT too. i suspect they just see this as an opportunity to shut down the line for good.

That seems quite possible. Were there any similar objections to the Santa Monica LRT extension? Similar conditions, surely.

i wasn't paying too much attention, but does Santa Monica have a significant orthodox jewish population?

I have no idea, but perhaps West Los Angeles may--been a long time since I lived out there.