Vermont Transit Corridor Project - Frequently Asked Questions

Project Overview

What is the Vermont Transit Corridor Project?
The Vermont Transit Corridor Project is a multi-year initiative that examines a medium-term Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) solution and a longer-term rail project. The goal is to provide faster, more reliable, and more enjoyable travel for riders.

What is BRT?
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a high-quality bus service designed to be fast, reliable, safe, and cost-efficient. Key features of BRT may include: dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority, off-board fare collection, all-door boarding, elevated platforms, and enhanced stations with amenities such as shelters, benches, trash receptacles, lighting, and next-bus information.
With features similar to light rail, BRT offers greater reliability, convenience, and speed compared to regular bus services.

What area does the study cover?
The corridor extends approximately 12.4 miles, from Hollywood Boulevard in the north to 120th Street in the south.

Is the Vermont Transit Corridor Project funded?
Yes, $425 million has been allocated to the project.

What types of improvements are being considered?
In the last phase, the community requested near-term, mid-term, and long-term improvements:

Near-term: Immediate enhancements to existing bus service, such as increased frequency, transit signal priority (TSP), and curb-running bus lanes (peak hours only from Sunset Blvd to Wilshire Blvd and all day from Gage Ave to the Vermont/Athens C Line Station). These are expected to be completed by Summer 2025.

Mid-term: Implementation of a BRT system with dedicated bus lanes, enhanced stations offering amenities such as shelters, benches, lighting, ticket vending machines, all-door boarding, real-time arrival information, and fewer stops.

Long-term: Potential conversion to light rail or subway, pending funding and ridership demand.
What is TSP?
Transit Signal Priority (TSP) refers to techniques that improve transit service by reducing delays for buses at signalized intersections. TSP decreases the time buses spend waiting at red lights.

Project Phases and Timeline

What is the current stage of the project?
As of January 2024, the project is in the community engagement and environmental review phase. This involves collecting feedback from residents and businesses along the corridor and evaluating potential configurations, including median and side-running options.

What is the difference between median and side-running BRT?
Median/Center-running BRT: Bus lanes operate in a dedicated guideway in the center of the roadway.
Side-running BRT: Bus lanes are implemented along the curb, typically using existing travel lanes.

When can we expect to see improvements?
Short-term improvements: Anticipated by Summer 2025.
BRT project completion: Expected by 2028.
Rail conversion: The timeline is uncertain and depends on funding and further study.

Project Benefits

How will the Vermont Transit Corridor Project benefit riders?
More predictable travel times, leading to improved reliability and faster trips.
Better connections to the regional transportation system.
Improved pedestrian and bicycle access.
Enhanced access to jobs, education, healthcare, and essential services.
Improved air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by providing alternatives to driving.
Support for economic development, job creation, and community revitalization in a historically underserved area of Los Angeles County.
Increased safety due to the separation of buses from other vehicles, enhanced lighting, and improved crosswalks.

Community Engagement

How can I get involved in the project?
Attend community meetings and workshops.
Submit comments and feedback via the Metro website or during public meetings.

Where can I find more information about the project?
Visit the LA Metro Vermont Transit Corridor website: https://www.metro.net/projects/vermont-corridor/
Sign up for email updates and project news.
Contact Metro via phone, email, or social media.

What are Equity Focus Communities (EFCs)?
Equity Focus Communities (EFCs) is a tool adopted by Metro in 2022 to help identify communities for targeted programs. EFCs are defined as census tracts where:
At least 40% of households are low-income ($35,000 or less), and
At least 80% of households are people of color, or
At least 10% of households have zero cars.
The Vermont Corridor is largely within EFC communities.

Project Impacts

How will this project impact traffic and parking?
An analysis is underway to assess potential traffic and parking impacts. This study will evaluate changes in roadway capacity, possible intersection delays, and parking spaces that may be affected, including utilization and capacity.

What will happen to the trees along Vermont?
Metro will work closely with the City of Los Angeles and adhere to city policies for any new or replacement landscaping. The landscaping plan has not yet been determined.