Transit Center Stones Still Shifting

I think the reason this is in the news (and it is not clear from the brief) is because the entry ramp to the plaza is closed. This is causing some buses to load and unload passengers right on Vignes at the bottom of the ramp.

The bricks are set in sand, not mortar or cement. Obviously, this was the crucial mistake made when the Taj Mahal was built. And apparently they can’t change this without ripping up the entire plaza. Oh joy.

In my opinion, for the $100 million in federal funds spent building the plaza that it is a very poor facility. The curves are too tight. Bricks may look nice, but a poor choice for a road surface that gets continual pounding by transit vehicles. Despite a kiosk in the middle of the oval marked “information”, there has never been funds to staff it. The pylons were supposed to have display screen with information on when the next bus is scheduled to serve the stop (just like the transit mall in Long Beach). Alas, due to poor design inadequate ventilation led to the electronics overheating. A year or so ago they finally put maps over the useless screens. Only recently did they put up a kiosk with a map of bus service in the vicinity and where to catch it. SIGH

I agree: the plaza is not well designed. I think the concept is good, just poorly executed. The choice of these paving stones is embamatic. I’ve used the place a lot over the years catching Metrolink, Amtrak, Red Line, Gold Line, Rapid, Dash and Flyaway buses. Now I use the underground parking when I pick up and drop off my daughter at daycare.

My biggest gripe is lack of informative signage. The situation has improved immensely over the past few years. I particularly like the branding the agency has done with its various communication elements. But, I think they could do better at nuts n’ bolts informative signage. I’ve never been able to figure out with great confidence where the various buses stop. For instance, the 740 and 745 Rapids both run down Broadway. But, they have different stops in the plaza. And, no, the drivers will not stop at the other stops.

I suspect these kinds of details really fall between the cracks or are delegated to junior staff. I think the MTA ought to have a more holistic concept of its service. Every detail of its service should be conceived as part of the customer service experience. Sort of like designing the GUI for a piece of software or laying out a retail store. Again, the MTA has improved enormously over the years. It is still not there yet.

From the website of Big Blue Bus:

Metro has notified Big Blue Bus that Patsaouras Transit Plaza at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles will re-open effective at the beginning of the service day on Monday morning, October 16, 2006.