The personal element of the Eastside Extension at the moment is that I'd really like revenue service to commence in time for my On Track On Line friends to ride it at their SoCal RailFest, coming up in the next week or so.
Gold Line East L.A. Extension
- Thread starter WhoozOn1st
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Los Angeles Times columnist Tim Rutten doesn't often write about local issues, but he's picked a pretty good one this time: the AnsaldoBreda thing. Looks like we'll know in a couple days if it's deal or no deal.
MTA prepares for a rail-car reality check
"Fights over major public manufacturing and construction contracts often are conducted under rules that make bare-knuckle prizefighting seem effete. Even by those standards, this one has been a bitter brawl."
Two examples of the type of car at issue. NY Times photo clearly taken at MTA Gold Line shops beside Amtrak/Metrolink tracks near Union Station. AnsaldoBreda also built the Red Line's rolling stock, which suffered some pretty severe issues of its own.
MTA prepares for a rail-car reality check
"Fights over major public manufacturing and construction contracts often are conducted under rules that make bare-knuckle prizefighting seem effete. Even by those standards, this one has been a bitter brawl."
Two examples of the type of car at issue. NY Times photo clearly taken at MTA Gold Line shops beside Amtrak/Metrolink tracks near Union Station. AnsaldoBreda also built the Red Line's rolling stock, which suffered some pretty severe issues of its own.
Yesterday the Op-Ed piece (above), this morning the news story...
MTA mulls rail firm's track record
"AnsaldoBreda has been accused of missing deadlines and specifications on rail cars -- but so have its competitors."
...and now this:
MTA delays decision on Italian rail-car maker; 'despicable' lobbying alleged
MTA mulls rail firm's track record
"AnsaldoBreda has been accused of missing deadlines and specifications on rail cars -- but so have its competitors."
...and now this:
MTA delays decision on Italian rail-car maker; 'despicable' lobbying alleged
Though still officially ahead of schedule, inauguration of revenue service on the Gold Line Eastside extension has been delayed several times. One of the holdups has been conductive paint that created false signaling indications.
Closing in on an opening
"MTA fixes glitches and adds finishing touches to the Gold Line's Eastside extension"
"There has been much anticipation on the Eastside about the line. Residents have long complained that the area has a large number of mass transit riders but no rail service.
"Although the extension itself is relatively short, it gives Eastside residents a route into downtown and to Union Station, where more rail routes are available."
Closing in on an opening
"MTA fixes glitches and adds finishing touches to the Gold Line's Eastside extension"
"There has been much anticipation on the Eastside about the line. Residents have long complained that the area has a large number of mass transit riders but no rail service.
"Although the extension itself is relatively short, it gives Eastside residents a route into downtown and to Union Station, where more rail routes are available."
Okay, this Times story isn't strictly about the Gold Line, but the issue of new light rail cars for the LACMTA has been covered in this thread previously. It's essentially the lastest chapter in the familiar, sad saga of urban transit as political football.
MTA chief urges new bids to build and refurbish light-rail cars
"It is the third time he has asked the agency's board to start over and reject contract options with an Italian rail firm whose cars are considered too heavy and are three years late."
This photo found online shows one of the AnsaldoBreda cars in testing on the Gold Line Eastside extension. The car is passing over the Hollywood Freeway, with Union Station behind camera to the right. To the car's left is the downtown federal detention facility, and to its right may be seen L.A.'s sand-colored new Catholic cathedral. EDIT: It appears the car in this shot is being pulled by the rail-mounted semi tractor seen pulling a car in the video (which still works) linked in this thread's initial post.
MTA chief urges new bids to build and refurbish light-rail cars
"It is the third time he has asked the agency's board to start over and reject contract options with an Italian rail firm whose cars are considered too heavy and are three years late."
This photo found online shows one of the AnsaldoBreda cars in testing on the Gold Line Eastside extension. The car is passing over the Hollywood Freeway, with Union Station behind camera to the right. To the car's left is the downtown federal detention facility, and to its right may be seen L.A.'s sand-colored new Catholic cathedral. EDIT: It appears the car in this shot is being pulled by the rail-mounted semi tractor seen pulling a car in the video (which still works) linked in this thread's initial post.
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Despite LACMTA chief Art Leahy's three recommendations to begin again from the beginning on acquiring new light rail cars (reported above just yesterday) AnsaldoBreda was awarded the contract.
Italian firm gets MTA rail deal
"'The MTA's return to sleaze once again has hung the taxpayers out to dry by selling out to the incompetent highest bidder,' [L.A. County Supervisor Mike] Antonovich said. 'Breda has failed to deliver on time in two previous MTA contracts, and the current contract is already three years behind schedule in delivering certified rail cars.'"
Italian firm gets MTA rail deal
"'The MTA's return to sleaze once again has hung the taxpayers out to dry by selling out to the incompetent highest bidder,' [L.A. County Supervisor Mike] Antonovich said. 'Breda has failed to deliver on time in two previous MTA contracts, and the current contract is already three years behind schedule in delivering certified rail cars.'"
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Mayor hails planned construction of light-rail car factory in L.A.
"...the economic impact figures were extrapolated from AnsaldoBreda's employment projections for its new L.A. facilities: 535 full-time positions at the plant and 126 full-time positions at the corporate headquarters.
"Those figures are based on AnsaldoBreda's expectation of building 75 rail cars and refurbishing 36 more annually at the L.A. plant. However, the MTA contract is the firm's only order thus far for that plant, and the MTA expects AnsaldoBreda to produce just 12 cars a year for the transportation agency." (emphasis added)
"...the economic impact figures were extrapolated from AnsaldoBreda's employment projections for its new L.A. facilities: 535 full-time positions at the plant and 126 full-time positions at the corporate headquarters.
"Those figures are based on AnsaldoBreda's expectation of building 75 rail cars and refurbishing 36 more annually at the L.A. plant. However, the MTA contract is the firm's only order thus far for that plant, and the MTA expects AnsaldoBreda to produce just 12 cars a year for the transportation agency." (emphasis added)
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