Going To Work On L.A.'s Metro

Well, the 1989 Mustang is in the body shop (H & R Paint and Body), after which, I had to try out Los Angeles's transit system to get to work.

A few years ago, a new busway was built in the San Fernando Valley on what used to be a Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way. The tracks were taken out, and a new roadway with nice landscaping was built exclusively for special buses. This busway is called the Orange Line.

I figured, if I can easily navigate my way around Tokyo, Japan on that city's transit system (trains and subways), I should be able to handle this.

So, about an hour and a half before my work start time, I got to the Orange line station at Reseda Blvd. at Oxnard St. Within 10 minutes, the bus was due to arrive. I purchased my day pass at the station's vending machine ($5.00) and waited for the bus. The bus arrived right on schedule!

I got on and it took me to the North Hollywood Red Line subway station. I've used the Red Line subway before, so I am familiar with its workings.

It was a short walk from the bus station to the subway station. After a 10 minute wait, the subway was there to take me to the mid-Wilshire District of L.A. for the Vermont Ave.-Wilshire Blvd. subway station, which is three short blocks from work.

As it turned out, I got to work with fifteen minutes to spare. I am elated that the transit system worked out just fine. I am at work now on break, so it will be interesting to see how the return trip to Tarzana works out.

So far, so good!

UPDATE (10/3/09): The ride home went smoothly. The only problem was when I got back into Tarzana, I was unsure if the bus lines on Reseda Blvd. were still running at 11:00 PM. I decided to walk home from the busway station (I'd guess it was a half mile walk). As I got about a block away from the station, I noticed a bus had stopped at the Reseda Blvd. bus stop near the station. I guess that answered my question. I was too far away to hurry back to catch the bus and I was loaded down with my work gear. At least I know I can catch a bus next week (just have to be a little patient).