Transit Briefs: TTC, LA Metro, HART

(HART photo)

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) announces the return of streetcar service on St. Clair Avenue. Also, LA Metro ridership growth continues for the 18th consecutive month; and the third rail for the second operating segment of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) Skyline rail system is now energized.

TTC

The TTC announced June 14 that it is returning streetcar service along St. Clair Avenue following major infrastructure upgrades, including the modernization of overhead power along the streetcar right-of-way. From Sun., Jun. 23, 512 St. Clair streetcars will resume service between St. Clair Station and Gunns’ Loop, weeks ahead of schedule.

Commencing last September, overhead work was coordinated with construction inside St. Clair West Station, track and concrete repairs at various locations along the corridor, and major infrastructure works by Metrolinx, City of Toronto, and Toronto Water in the area.

TTC work included:

• Repairs and improvements to power infrastructure, including modernization of the overhead power network along the streetcar right-of-way, and at streetcar loops along the route.
• Rebuilding overhead power systems at intersections with St. Clair Ave. at Lansdowne Ave., Oakwood Ave., Vaughan Rd., and Bathurst St.
• Track renewal at streetcar stops at Bathurst St. and Earlscourt Ave. to replace aging rails.
• Track lubricator improvements at Earlscourt and Oakwood loops to minimize streetcar noise.

Until work at St. Clair West Station is completed later this year, 512 St. Clair streetcars will serve the station on-street. Customers transferring from the subway, Line 1 Yonge-University, will be able to board streetcars at stops near St. Clair West Station located at Bathurst St. and Tweedsmuir Ave.

“We are grateful for the patience and understanding shown by our customers, residents, and businesses as we carried out this critical work to upgrade our streetcar infrastructure on St. Clair Avenue, which will deliver reliable service for years to come,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “Our focus is now on completing streetcar track replacement and structural work inside St. Clair West Station. We are optimistic about reopening that loop by the end of this year, further enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of the TTC network in the area.”

LA Metro

LA Metro on June 14 announced that the agency achieved 27,170,160 boardings on its bus and rail services in May. LA Metro carried an average of 980,865 boardings each weekday, an 8.2% increase over last May and the 18th-straight month of year-over-year ridership increases. 

Additionally, average weekend ridership in May saw a 7% increase in boardings over May 2023 as more people took LA Metro to special events and leisure activities, with Saturday boardings at 2,706,120 and Sunday boardings at 2,885,010. In May, weekday ridership for bus and rail was at 81.1% of the level it was before the pandemic in May 2019. Weekend ridership in May reached 95.9% of the pre-pandemic level from May 2019.

The total number of May rail boardings was 5,887,366, with 4,573,712 trips taken on weekdays reflecting a 4.5% increase over May 2023, according to the agency. Average ridership on the A and E Lines is up 31% year-over-year when compared to the A, E, and L line configuration before the Regional Connector project was completed. Weekend ridership on the A and E Lines now exceed their pre-pandemic levels. Saturday ridership in May 2024 on A and E Lines was 0.9% higher than Saturday ridership on the A, E, and L Line configuration in 2019. Sunday ridership in May 2024 on the A and E Lines was 5.9% higher than Sunday ridership on the A, E, and L Lines in May 2019. In May, the A Line saw the largest total rail boardings with 1,946,782 trips taken, a 4.6% increase over April 2024. 

HART

HART recently announced that the “third rail” for the second opening segment of the Skyline rail system, from the Aloha Stadium Station to the Middle Street Station, will be energized beginning June 17, 2024.

According to HART, the energization of the third rail marks a milestone in the construction of the second segment of the rail system and will allow for the commencement of certain testing along this section of the system. As testing activities begin, the public will soon see trains moving along the rail guideway from the Aloha Stadium Station, past the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and Pearl Harbor to the Middle Street Station. This segment of Skyline is expected to open for service in late 2025.

Along the entire rail system, the energized third rail provides power to the trains and carries 750 volts of electricity. HART emphasizes that any contact with the third rail “poses an immediate fatality risk.” While the guideway and rail stations along the second segment may look complete, they remain active work zones, and access to secured rail facilities and the guideway is strictly prohibited.

The agency issued the following rail hazards and safety tips:

• Keep off the rail track. The third rail is energized 24/7 with 750 volts of electricity. Any contact with the third rail will result in immediate death.
• The automated trains may move forward or backward at any time without warning.
• Keep out of rail stations that are under construction and all active work sites.
• Do not attempt to cut or hop fences to enter secured facilities.
• The system is equipped with 1,500+ security cameras.
• Trespassing at the rail facilities is strictly prohibited, and violators will be prosecuted (HRS S708-814).

Additional Safety Tips:

• HART urges the public to follow safety precautions when driving near the rail guideway and to look ahead, not overhead.
• Do not watch or photograph the trains while driving.
• Keep your attention on the road.