Expo Line Shuttle Promises Convenience for Culver City

The Expo Line will be chugging into Culver City soon, bringing with it fond memories of the Red Car and a bright future for those hoping for a . However, according to , one of Culver City’s prize features of the upcoming train stop is a shuttle that will operate between downtown Culver City and the surrounding business district.

The shuttle—which is a darling of Malsin’s, who doubles as a board member for the Exposition Construction Authority Board of Directors—promises to loop from the future Culver City station to the Hayden Tract and on to downtown Culver City.

The goal? To improve mobility and sustainability, he said. His phone interview with Patch was fresh after a Monday morning tour of the anticipated rail line at the future Exposition and Western Avenue stop.

The shuttle—which will cost an estimated $500,000—will be paid for in part by an assessment area on the commercial property surrounding the stop, Malsin said.

“Right now is a good time for people to think about what it’ll be like to have a line in the region,” Malsin said, who is very excited about the shuttle and the Expo Line itself.

As for the rest of the Expo Line route, Metro is busy getting ready for a Nov. 15 debut of Phase 1, which will span from Downtown Los Angeles to the LaCienega Boulevard station; the Culver City station will open in 2012. Phase 2, which will extend the rail to Santa Monica, is set for completion in 2015.

Earlier this month, the Expo Construction Authority announced that it began slow-speed tests on the Expo light rail line near Downtown Los Angeles. Train testing will continue intermittently over the next several months, including testing of traffic signals and crossing gates, vehicle braking systems and the catenary system that powers the trains, said Gabriella Collins, government and community relations manager for the Exposition Construction Authority. In addition, several safety presentations will be conducted in order to help the public get accustomed to the light rail line, she said.

“The goal is to keep everyone safe as trains are tested on the tracks and continue to be safe when it opens this fall,” said Rick Thorpe, CEO of the Exposition Construction Authority in a recent press release.  

But for now in Culver City, be sure steer clear of the intersection of La Cienega and Jefferson Boulevards until Monday, April 25, as construction will promise a gridlocked route.