2008 Woodie Awards
Orange Line's Safety Under Scrutiny
The Orange Line is involved in a crash across from Valley College, making eleven collisions in four months.
Seda Terzyan
Issue date: 3/1/06 Section: News
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A Metro Orange Line bus collided with a car Feb. 18 injuring seven passengers, sending five to the hospital with minor injuries, when a car reportedly ran a red light and slammed into the bus at the Woodman and Oxnard intersection.
The bus was traveling eastbound on the busway leaving the Woodman stop when a motorist in a white BMW traveling southbound on hit the bus at approximately 4:30 p.m. Damages to the bus were minimal, but the motorist's car was totaled, according to reports, details of which have not yet been released.
This makes the eleventh crash the Orange Line has been involved in since its opening four months ago, all of which the LA Metropolitan Transportation Authority say were the fault of motorists who were inattentive while driving.
"There is only so much we could do to protect people from themselves," said Marc Littman, director of MTA public relations.
Many safety precautions have been implemented to ensure the safety of Orange Line riders and motorists according to the MTA. In November, after three collisions, the speed the buses traveled while crossing intersections was lowered to 10 mph from 25-30 mph, strobe lights, numerous signs and security cameras were installed at many intersections.
"We'll implement whatever we have to, to make this as safe as possible," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at a news conference in November.
The Orange Line cost more than $300 million to build and operate and has exceeded expected rider-ship, according to MTA officials. More than 16,000 passengers ride the line each day, which is three times the rider-ship predicted, and the accidents have not had a negative impact. Rider-ship is expected to reach up to 22,000 passengers daily by 2020.
When comparing the Metro Orange Line's coverage of 100,000 miles per month to other buses that travel the same distance, 11 minor accidents in four months falls below the 3.5 accidents per month average. It is reported to be one of the safest bus lines because it travels in its own designated area and has tank-like strength, weighing in at about 30 tons.
The bus was traveling eastbound on the busway leaving the Woodman stop when a motorist in a white BMW traveling southbound on hit the bus at approximately 4:30 p.m. Damages to the bus were minimal, but the motorist's car was totaled, according to reports, details of which have not yet been released.
This makes the eleventh crash the Orange Line has been involved in since its opening four months ago, all of which the LA Metropolitan Transportation Authority say were the fault of motorists who were inattentive while driving.
"There is only so much we could do to protect people from themselves," said Marc Littman, director of MTA public relations.
Many safety precautions have been implemented to ensure the safety of Orange Line riders and motorists according to the MTA. In November, after three collisions, the speed the buses traveled while crossing intersections was lowered to 10 mph from 25-30 mph, strobe lights, numerous signs and security cameras were installed at many intersections.
"We'll implement whatever we have to, to make this as safe as possible," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at a news conference in November.
The Orange Line cost more than $300 million to build and operate and has exceeded expected rider-ship, according to MTA officials. More than 16,000 passengers ride the line each day, which is three times the rider-ship predicted, and the accidents have not had a negative impact. Rider-ship is expected to reach up to 22,000 passengers daily by 2020.
When comparing the Metro Orange Line's coverage of 100,000 miles per month to other buses that travel the same distance, 11 minor accidents in four months falls below the 3.5 accidents per month average. It is reported to be one of the safest bus lines because it travels in its own designated area and has tank-like strength, weighing in at about 30 tons.
