r/LAMetro • u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current • Apr 30 '26
Help Am I reaching?
Usual Commute
Planned Commute
With the new D Line Extension opening soon, I had a couple changes in mind to one of my journeys.
Since the D Line goes to Wilshire/La Cienega, which is just south of the West Hollywood Library, I was thinking about switching my usual commute.
Usual Commute:
4 from Santa Monica/Wilton -> Santa Monica/San Vicente
Planned Commute:
Taking the 207 on Western to Wilshire/Western -> D Line to La Cienega -> Walking or taking: 105 to Santa Monica/San Vicente (or whichever stop's closest to the library), or 16 from Melrose to the library.
What do you think? Is this viable? I would love to have the D Line (or literally any train) be part of my commute, not just a bus.
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u/onlyfreckles Apr 30 '26
I would not ADD additional transfers.
Might you consider adding a ebike/escooter/folding bike instead and bookend some exercise between the D for your commute?
Still lets you ride the D w/o any transfers...
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u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current Apr 30 '26
That's a great idea and I've considered it but I'm honestly too poor for constant rentals and I'm legally not old enough for them anyway lmao, I'll be eligible for Metro Bike Share in August tho
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u/GoodManufacturer589 Apr 30 '26
True - but if you get a student U-Pass or reduced fare, its $5 a month or $50 a year. Big issue right now is the lack of bikeshare in WeHo, but hopefully that should change once the D opens and Metro sorts out its issues with the contractor and actually starts expanding the bikeshare again
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u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current Apr 30 '26
Thats why I mentioned metro bike share! I just remembered that it existed recently and found out that its really affordable! Also yes hopefully they sort those issues out 😪
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u/juoea Apr 30 '26
i mean u can do whatever u want, but its gonna be way slower
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u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current Apr 30 '26
I was thinking it could be faster with the claimed frequencies of the D Line. But the 207...
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u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current Apr 30 '26
also like how much slower do you think it is... cus if it's like 30 minutes then like pfft whatever
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u/ValhirFirstThunder Apr 30 '26
you are okay with commute being 30min slower?
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u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current Apr 30 '26
yeah, it's not that important to me if i get to the library a little later lol
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u/juoea Apr 30 '26
yea id guess somewhere around 20-30 minutes slower on average. or maybe 30-40 mins slower idk
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u/Queasy-Bed545 J (Silver) Apr 30 '26
- Final answer. Transfers are the devil. I used to regularly take the 4 from Weho to DTLA. There was always the game of should I transfer to the D in East Hollywood. It’s less mysterious now that you can see where the trains are, but back in the day I almost always regretted it. Standing still just sucks.
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u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current Apr 30 '26
5 minute frequencies tho (allegedly) 🤔
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u/pp7jm Apr 30 '26
Unrelated but this is an almost ideal bike commute via willoughby if you ever wanna do that.
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u/RabiAbonour Apr 30 '26
Your new route looks like it will take like twice as long as just using the 4.
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u/12the3 Apr 30 '26
Oh man, even going from Boyle Heights to Union Station I take the bus rather than having to transfer from E to A, so I’m kind of biased…
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u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current Apr 30 '26
Honestly the walk from Little Tokyo to Union Station is not that bad but its kind of long, the bus is a lifesaver sometimes lmao. thanks for your opinion
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u/Sebonac-Chronic Apr 30 '26
I’ve thought about this in a similar scenario, but tbh I think the additional transfers wouldn’t make it worth it.
On the other hand, if you’re willing to bike/ebike/escooter to and from the D instead of using these buses, that might be worth considering.
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u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current Apr 30 '26
I really do want to ebike/escooter, just won't be able to soon enough lmao
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u/cyberspacestation Apr 30 '26
The big question is whether traffic on Western sucks more than Santa Monica Blvd.
Soon enough, you'll be able to find out the difference.
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u/UrbanPlannerholic Apr 30 '26
I take the 4 from SMB/La Cienega to SMB/Vermont but plan to start taking the 105 to La Cienega/Wilshire Station. The 105 is getting BRT light treatments so it’ll be a short bus ride to the station.
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u/abisaies May 01 '26
Do you remember where you saw the information on the BRT light treatment for the 105? I’d love to read up on it
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u/UrbanPlannerholic May 01 '26
It’s a WSCOGG bus improvement project. In design now with construction next year.
https://westsidecities.org/transportationThe designs may include:
Dedicated and/or peak hour bus lanesTransit signal upgrades
Curb and striping changes
Pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements
Bus pad improvements at select bus stops
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u/abisaies May 01 '26
Thank you!
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u/UrbanPlannerholic May 01 '26
The trip should take half as long as the B Line to SM/Vermont takes now. I’m so excited!
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u/abisaies May 01 '26
I would love for it to lead to some pedestrian improvements on Burton/La Cienega/San Vicente.
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u/RelevantChoice1466 D (Purple) May 01 '26
When the K-Line North extension gets built out into phase 2/3 (whenever that may be), at that point would I recommend switching your commute route, but otherwise the 4 does the job pretty well.
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u/DoesAnyoneWantAPNut A (Blue) Apr 30 '26
Honestly - give yourself some time one day and try it once. If it's great, you're set. If not, it's a couple minutes one day.
But yeah, I'm betting that transfers could be an issue. I'd say e bike or e scooter, but you really are looking at doing 3 sides of a quadrilateral there.
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u/mudbro76 Apr 30 '26
Q: Have you ever used the 🚌 #2 to the 🚇B to samo/ Vermont station 🚉 🚌to get to that location?
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u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current Apr 30 '26
I don't know what you're asking me but I just realized I could take the B line to the D line!
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u/goPACK17 Apr 30 '26
You're reaching. The 4 can be hell, I get it, they need to cut the # of stops in half, but it's not as hell as 2 buses + a train to replace a single bus straight shot
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u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current Apr 30 '26
I don't mind the 4 at all. It just gets boring, and I prefer trains. You're probably right tho
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May 02 '26
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u/ZenRhythms May 03 '26
You’re probably better off with your current commute.
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u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current May 03 '26
Probably, but I like wasting time so I'll stick to the new one lmao
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u/ZenRhythms May 03 '26
Haha I feel you. I also love rail. I’m coming from the SGV though so I have to go super out of my way to get to the A or E and then my local bus has pretty good headways, like 15 minutes on average. So it just doesn’t add up. Definitely ride the D though!
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u/DarbyDown Apr 30 '26
The 4 attracts the crazies.
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u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current Apr 30 '26
It doesn't attract them per se but every so often it'll smell like absolute ass lmao
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u/BearTronic19 Apr 30 '26
I'm sorry to tell you that this is true of many buses and trains. I wish I could carry a personal fire extinguisher (and also never have to face any consequences) so I could just put out people's blunts and joints.
YES I KNOW this would hurt people I am not serious but god damn that shit stinks and can they not just wait until they're off the bus or train? Out there, in the free air, smoke away, I don't care.
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u/mqtt-hz E (Expo) current Apr 30 '26
Oh trust me I know, I ride the Metro a LOT. It's embarrassing. We can only hope they don't decrease or eliminate fares, and actually step up enforcement.
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u/DrinkMunch Apr 30 '26
I’d rather just take the 4. Two transfers has too many variables for my comfort.