The 13 year old kid who got to do the same VIP tour through the OG tunnels with construction crews from Westlake/MacArthur Park to Union Station and see the Bredas being “unwrapped” and tested back in 1992 has a happy tear in his eye. 🥹 I’m 47 now and I thought I’d see not only what’s happening now but a “valley to Long Beach” line, red line east parallel to the 5 Fwy down to OC, and light rail on the G Line that crosses over to where the A runs past Pasadena by now. Even with the “slowness” of my wishes coming true, I’m so glad other Angelenos never gave up on Metro.
@@Kerry. yep- i also got to see the Blue Line opening at Metro Center and check out Metrolink’s inaugural runs at Union station too. Fun fact: I used to use what’s now the K Line tracks to walk to school in Inglewood daydreaming about what it would look like to have a Metro Rail station in my area. I’m very happy other people don’t have to daydream like me now!
@starrwulfe wow, you yourself lived through an incredible, transformative time in LA transit history. I suppose now is the second wave; I'm so glad you got to take part of it!
Honestly if LA metro is just as safe as Seoul Metro in South Korea, people would ride it. Glad all this is happening before the Olympics because I was wondering how bad the traffic was gonna be with the Olympics and Fifa being here.... I know that LA is the fastest building metro at the moment too
@@deborahsearle2339 I think that is his point. The biggest issue with LA Metro is not nice seat or capacity, but safety and reliability. Last time I rode a metro from Pasadena to USC, the train stopped half way due to police activity at next station, everyone got out, told to ride a bus without specific direction. People went in various directions. We followed one small group and waited 30 min for a bus. No bus. Ended up walking 1.5 mile to final destination. And before that, rode a metro and seat near near a guy mumbling to himself. It explains why the seat is empty, but still unsettling when you have a kid with you.
@ it is ridiculous what we have to put up with people misbehaving and unreliability of metro…. I would say that I saw many more security people when I rode downtown a few weeks ago. But I was surprised that there weren’t very many people even taking the metro and it was a Saturday!
I've only ridden Metro once. Came in for the Galaxy-MNUFC Game. Ride red line from ear of MacArthur Park to downtown, J Line to and from Carson. Blue Line to Pasadena and back to Union Station. I felt perfectly safe
I like that the new trains keep some design elements from the old cars. They look like a really solid successor to the older cars, not a complete overhaul. Familiar, but clean and fresh. Really cool to see them running finally
You have to recall that the HR4000 is only 64 cars. The remaining cars in the order were canceled and now the old trains are receiving a 3/4 life refurbishment that will see them in service until after the Olympics. A new order of cars from Hyundai Rotem, the HR5000, will replace the old cars but they will not be ready for service until 2027-2028.
Interesting, but that could be cool, too. It could mean we could ride 3 different types of subway cars for a while. Do you know what specific upgrades the old Bredas will be getting?
ooh now I want to ride the purple line just to see this new train. Im still waiting on the extension of it, It would've been great to have when I was taking the 720 for an hour and 15 to get to school almost every day. It will be so awesome! awesome video!
@TiltBrook ...I mean let's be real, the average toilet bowl after having a chili dog at Wienerschnitzel is pristine compared to a 70's NYC subway car. I actually liked something about that look though. Maybe I watched the Warriors too many times.
@Palatine-Knight Not even the red line. They look well worn, but in relatively good shape for being 30+ years old. And they are keeping them cleaner today than a year ago. Same goes with the stations. The stations are being upgraded, too with better lighting and gates.
So, to "buy America" we have China ship a train kit to Massachusetts, where non Californians assemble legos, and then pay $230 to have the trains be put on trains and sent to Los Angeles, instead of just paying non-Californians in China to build legos and shipping them to the Port of Los Angeles? .... Smart.
It’s the amount of issues CRRC is having I don’t see them being viable for much longer. Stadler, Kawasaki, Siemens, Alstom and now hitachi have more equipment built in the US and only really ship the shells from abroad and are more reliable and exceed buy America standards. Also many agencies like MBTA and CTA Chicago are canceling CRRC orders with poor reliability.
@portcybertryx222 Yes. In fact, LA Metro didn't extend the contract with CRRC because of problems. They only ordered 64 cars. The rest will come from Hyundai Rotem to supply an additional 182 HR5000 cars.
That’s so great! For someone who rides the Metro whenever I’m in LA this is a huge and much needed upgrade. One can’t help but notice how old and outdated Metro’s current subway trains are. It’s gotten me to try and avoid the subway when I can and try to mainly use the light rail lines, which are more updated from the old light rail trains they used to have. But this is I believe Metro trying to improve their services in preparation for the World Cup and Olympics coming in 2026 and 2028 respectively.
I love how excited this young man is about the metro! I lived in LA for the last 5 years and took it constantly. Being from NYC, I went to LA with a subway bias, but really, the train in LA is totally fine for its purpose, especially since I'm not a driver! Glad to see some improvements. Also, a tip: It's pronounced "Krist-tening", not "Christ-tening" 😛
Thank you for helping bring us the purple line. Can't wait for that to open this year. EDIT: Also had no idea about fare capping. That's awesome. Great video!
Seeing how the trains arrive in LA & are placed on the tracks would be as great for us nerds as your pre-op ride. The fascinating ideas of how trains could arrive by truck, train or even ship from Mass fires our neurons! LOL
Drive to the North Hollywood B line station, park and take the train to the Wilshire/Vermont station to see if you can catch the new cars on the D line. That's the first B line station it shares with the D line if you're coming from your direction. Good luck.
It’s a nice step in the right direction, but we gotta fix the underlying issues with the metro that have nothing to do with the trains. We need a safer metro with more lines. Hopefully the purple line/wilshire project finishes on time for the Olympics so we can actually access the west side, and not just the expo line.
Can't wait to ride this when i visit in March. These new trains look so good but a part of me will miss the old bredas but all rail vehicles have a service life but it is what it is.
@CraigFThompson Not another 30 years, though. For a few years, but not without substantial upgrading of hardware and technology. The carriages themselves are very worn out both inside and put. There are also no modern digital signage. And it has outdated security equipment. It won't be cheap to bring them closer to modern standards. That's why they're only refurbishing a certain amount until the HR5000s start arriving in a couple of years.
That's awesome. I'm so sick of the narrow aisles and awkwardness of two seat groupings making you sit in front of it behind someone. I wish they'd get side facing seats on the light rail lines.
Interesting that LA got an early christmas present, and Sydney Australia which has many similarities to LA, also got one with a new light rail having opened just two days ago!
LA Metro is getting these upgrades because of the Olympics that will happen in a few years from now. It's kinda disappointing that we need an event such as the Olympics to highlight how backwards SOV transit is to the region (due to the predicted influx of tourists) since the majority of the flow of traffic occurs from suburb to urban environments.
To be fair, many of these new lines and extensions (and, as a result, the need for new rolling stock) were in the works long before LA even bid on the 2024 Olympics. If I recall correctly, the new rolling stock is necessary for the D Line to achieve certain frequencies per Metro's agreement/funding from the FTA for the D Line extension, which began planning back in 2009 I think.
That's not true. Besides, LA actually wanted the 2024 games, not the 2028 games. These transit upgrades were planned independently of the Olympics, not because of them. These new train cars were delayed by 4 years because of Covid and manufacturing problems.
LA Metro was given a grant from the federal government back in 2012/2013 to buy new equipment and they did. New buses, trains, relief cars, trucks, etc. I thought they were going to buy more of the same trains from Italy. The CEO and 4 other guys were there for like 3 days at the Red Line Maintenance Facility...
Cannot wait to ride these! I just wish they would give them proper PE trombone whistles. Its Hollywood, a good SFX of that whistle has to be floating around somewhere in this town
Wow, you guys out in L.A. are so lucky that your new trains are running with few hitches! The MBTA in Boston had sooo many bad experiences with their new CRRC Orange Line and Red Line trains that they had to send them back to the plant to be fixed. And delivery was slow too... for a transit system where some (most?) of the old trains were 40 and even 50 years old!
Well, to be honest, another transit YTer said the new train cars did have a problem for a little bit at the Wilshire/Western station once it went into service. However, it didnt seem like a major issue.
So some of the old trains are 40 to 50 years old?! Do you know what that says about rail-based public transit?! Simply that rail vehicles outlast buses----in the long run, saving money.
@CraigFThompson You're missing his point. He's implying that the trains were more problematic to maintain and run and should have been replaced years ago. Vehicles don't last forever, and technology evolves, too.
@mrxman581 Yet the newer equipment has a much shorter lifespan....plus, maintenance employees know the older systems, and can literally fabricate parts for the old equipment right in their own shops. With the new stuff, such in-house fabrication would be next to impossible.
@CZsWorld That's true, but these train's designs were probably done around 6 years ago. I'm sure with time they can update them. I was just implying that you could still charge a USB-C device. Some people imply that you can't.
Ah yes, good 'ol CRRC-MA... I mean, it depends who you're talking to how good it is. Also, I still can't believe Ylvis shot those EXACT scenes just a stop away from me on the Red Line.
I was lucky enough to be hired to shoot some video of the original construction of the tunnels and underground stations. Tudor Saliba (spelling here is questionable) was the original contractor. I remember having to climb down metal scaffolding to get down to the floor.
The new trains for LA Red and Purple Line Metro lines are a huge upgrade to the existing fleet (wich seems like it hasnt got refurbished or taken care of in any other way since it's first day of operation). They definitely arent bad. But compared to the usual usual metro or tram vehicles that came into service in the past few years throughout europe, it is sad that these trains are perceived as an upgrade, as the upgrade especially regarding passenger information systems could be much bigger.
There are other digital screens on the side walls that will have train information, too. They just weren't active yet. And, yes, the old Bredas are the original cars that first went into service in 1993. They were originally going to get replaced in 2019, but there were issues with CRRC and then Covid hit, so here we are about 4-5 years delayed..
@@mrxman581 Seems i was "lucky" to still see them in operation when i went to LA this summer. Also nice to hear that there will be additional digital screens
@@bahnfahrenaufschlau Yes, it wasn't clear what type of information will be on those screens, but Tiger Railfan YTer does show them in one of his videos. He was also an invited guest.
Having worked at two different Metro Divisions, I would not sit on those seats ever again. Whether it's the lighht rail or a bus. The nasty things the homeless do to them is just gross 🤮.
I think this a good step forward. It's not going to be nowhere near the level of the rail system in Japan or Korea but at least its another option. The Metro bus system is pretty nice especially the silver line and the Flyaway bus at LAX.
They are more rigid, but they're shaped better so still comfortable enough. But, yes, less padding than the old ones. The new ones are more similar to the seats on the new light rail train cars.
HR4000 are not made in China. They are made in Springfield. I know this, because my company makes all the interior light systems for them. HVAC is also made here in Southern California...
Nice, hopefully, they add more and more trains, what the system lacks is frequencies, a train every 20-15 minutes is useless, they should run every 5 min max as in any other proper city
Trains run every 12 to 20 minutes, depending on time of the day of the week, although from midmorning to late evening they have are 12 minute headways seven days a week. Also, between Wilshire/Vermont and Union Station, both the B and D Lines share all the same stops so the headways for that section, which includes all of downtown, is only six minutes.
@Geotpf 12 minutes is still useless, 6 min downtown is useless, they should run back to back downtown and every 2-4 in the rest of the systems, no one with a car will opt for public transit since it's so unreliable
@@mrxman581 12 minutes is still useless, 6 min downtown is useless, they should run back to back downtown and every 2-4 in the rest of the system, no one with a car will opt for public transit since it's so unreliable
@bjoon It's obviously not useless because ridership has increased every month for the last 2 years. Once the new D line extension opens frequencies will get better. The LA Metro is continually improving. It's not a static system. The important thing is that more people are using it as it continues to improve. I've used it many, many times and it has been extremely useful especially going to DTLA, Hollywood, and Koreatown.
Kind of surprised LA Metro didn’t go with installing widescreen LCD displays for station info and route maps, even the newer train sets on the MTA in NYC has them. They are much more advanced and flexible (in terms of routes) than the light-up maps LA Metro went with. CRRC (the manufacturer for LA’s new train sets) offers widescreen LCDs as an option and is found in metro systems across China, where, unsurprisingly, the bulk of CRRC’s orders are from.
I'd like to post a few suggestions: 1. Your voice was quieter than the background noise, and I suggest you improve your audio mixing next time so that you can be more clearly heard. 2. Generic background music is unnecessary. It's better to hear the transit you're on. Los Angeles still has a long way to go, but I appreciate this look into its growing metro.
it's amazing how their newer E line trains (japanese made) had the same seating format as the old trains. I literally would fear for my safety, because I can only see what's in front. I kinda got used to it and ignored the safety part as I used it more. They finally made a correct decision.
The flipside is that there's less seating available. So when it's busy and you can't get a seat... You're in the same position as before. Except now you have to stand the whole time. Which not only is more uncomfortable, but leaves you more exposed. So if you can score a seat, it's nicer. But it's going to be twice as hard. And if it's busy you're also gonna have to have some dude's ass in your face because you're facing the aisle. Pros and cons I guess.
@@Palatine-KnightWe'll see once they are fully used. For me personally, i am more used to this new style since it is common in Asia. For the space/butt concern, I doubt it will be that bad because the concept of personal space here is different and it will depend on the line. I usually take the e lime to east la and it is not crowded. Azusa line seems to be more crowded and people are already standing somehwat close to each other.
@@Ninjabeefyschtick Yeah, I remember the trains being like this in Seoul, and they were really comfortable... But I was also riding pretty late at night. In BKK though I don't think I've ever actually gotten a seat on the BTS or MRT and I ride it all the time. The E line isn't usually too bad. But I mostly ride the B line and it usually has a higher amount of people on it
I'm glad they're updating, but these aren't impressive at all. Hopefully they keep investing in trains and dedicate more roads to mass transit, bikes, and electric options.
@@sloanNYC I'm just curious why you say it's not impressive. Your word not mine. What metric are you using to judge impressiveness level. Just seems a little subjective.
@@mrxman581 Of course it is subjective. There's nothing new or revolutionary here. It's a standard car with nothing to entice new riders. Which is fine, but this isn't a glow up or exciting. It's maintenance. Standard maintenance. Which is needed, but not impressive or exciting.
When will these become standard? Every 4 minutes would be a huge upgrade. Do you think metro is doing enough to protect passengers? I’m still very hesitant to ride as a single disabled female after all the violence towards women that’s been going on the last few years on LA metro specifically.
Things have improved over the last year. I would recommend to ride the train with a friend during the hours you would normally expect to use the system to get a real world experience and judge for yourself.
@CraigFThompson Yes, but it's a good tradeoff for more capacity and minimal cost compared to needing to run larger trainsets or more trains. Most people don't ride the train for the whole distance either, and those that do would very likely get to sit down at some point in their journey.
New trains wont matter. They will smell like the homless's toilet within a day. They need to eliminate this problem in order for more people to ride them.
I live 80 miles from L.A. but I was riding Metro just this week. I'm hoping that the Purple Line extension finally brings enough passengers to the trains that the homeless and druggies go somewhere else. Metro needs to get serious about removing non-passengers from the trains.
They're working on it. Things have improved over the last 18 months. About 3 weeks ago several security officers boarded my E line train at the 7th/Metro station and asked to see your Metro Tap Card. They escorted 2 people off the train. First time I've seen that.
@@mrxman581 - The LRT has regular fare control. The subway is the issue. If I were in charge, every non-peak train would be emptied at Union Station, the train would continue to the yard, then anyone still on the train would be given medical attention and otherwise cleared out of there before it is sent back out. Many of these people are physically ill.
@@pacificostudios They might be doing that already. I know they started getting people off at EOL stations on the LRT lines so they might be doing the same on the B and D subway lines.
@@mrxman581 - I've been avoiding the subway just for that reason. Remember, the woman murdered in cold blood was at a subway station. The subway is scarier, with cops doing absolutely nothing about anything from smoking to meth use to bicycles on the escalators to people entering through the handicapped gate. They seem to have received no instruction as to what they are supposed to be doing.
@pacificostudios Yes, that was terrible and sad. However, because of that incident they started the TAP to exit pilot program and it was successful. Now they are expanding it. In their research they discovered that 95% of the reported crimes and problems were caused by people who had NOT paid the fare. So Tap to exit gives LA Metro another opportunity to catch fare evaders. Many other Metro systems around the world use tap to exit. I did see two guys doing crack at the Hollywood and Vine station. The station was clean and seem better lit to me, too. Also, the classical music playing at some station seems to be helping, too. Personally, I like the music. Did not see any homeless on the platforms or station entrances. LA Metro also approved the creation of their own security force. That will be a huge improvement over using law enforcement who are not specifically train to deal with problems on public transit systems. Unfortunately, that will take 4-5 years to make happen. I'm still hoping it's established for the Olympics. We'll see, but things are improving overall. They need to keep it up though. They still have a way to go especially on the subway as you say.
Esto es lo más mejor por mí sabes quién vaya donde sea y llegamos donde usted quiere que no buscamos otra forma o etcétera etcétera no los qué es nadie te puede rajar la ley así como somos 15 alguien sé a dónde son pero el chiste pondré todos los de aquí California lo que son México no le hace
I would rather have more than 3 trains an hour and service after 11:30pm than new rolling stock, but I'm not greasing the palms of LA city council so who cares about me? 😡
You obviously don't use LA Metro because the trains are more frequent during peak hours. And LA Metro did extend operation hours this year by around one hour in the evening across all or most lines.
Let's see how long it takes before hooligans scratch graffiti into the windows and steel panels of the new trains, all while the new Metro police and staff do nothing to prevent it.
these are ugly. LA should have got the Sydney Metro Metropolis stock instead and they could have retrofitted platform screen doors and made them driverless. Even the desto boards inside these trains are outdated. And the map could of being displayed on a digital screen, even new yorks new R211 subway cars are much more modern than these. If you want to encourage people to take public transport, you need to not only improve frequency but also appearance. Make it look nice and safe, will probably encourage more people to use it.
The screens are all modern digital screens. The shape of the trains is an homage to the original trains. They have a retro vibe, which is cool that they aren't following what everyone else is doing. The issue of automation and platform doors are not the priority for now. The bigger issue is to replace all the old trains as quickly as is practical. That will take 2-3 years. In the interim, a combination of retrofitted old Bredas and new HR4000s will be used.
Automation and platform screen doors are completely different investments from just procuring extra trains. Also why specifically the Sydney Metro's metropolis stock? Why not any other Alstom Metropolis?
Not true. There's been a subway since 1993. A new extension will open in 2025. There are also 8 underground light rail stations in addition to all the subway stations.
@ElevationStationProductions Agreed. I read recently that the NYC subway fares were going up to $3 per one-way ride next year. Ouch! As a native Angeleno, I'm spoiled with the LA Metro fares. I get a senior discount. It's 75 cents weekdays and 35 cents weekends. LA Metro also has a capped fare system. For seniors, it's $2.50 for 1 day and $5 for a week. Students can ride for free. Low income residents can get 20 free rides per month, too. The regular capped fare is $5 for 1 day and $18 for a week. Very convenient, especially for tourists. They can use the LA Metro rail, bus, and bikes as much as they want and will never pay more than $18 per week or $5 a day.
@jimmyjohn6479 Not true. Besides, only 64 of these cars will come from CRRC. The rest, about 200, will come from Hyundai Rotem. And in the interim, some of the old Bredas will be retrofitted.
Still smells like pee and drugs all over 😂 them giving content creators “vip” invites still won’t get me near any LA public transportation and I’m in LA 3 times a week
The 13 year old kid who got to do the same VIP tour through the OG tunnels with construction crews from Westlake/MacArthur Park to Union Station and see the Bredas being “unwrapped” and tested back in 1992 has a happy tear in his eye. 🥹
I’m 47 now and I thought I’d see not only what’s happening now but a “valley to Long Beach” line, red line east parallel to the 5 Fwy down to OC, and light rail on the G Line that crosses over to where the A runs past Pasadena by now.
Even with the “slowness” of my wishes coming true, I’m so glad other Angelenos never gave up on Metro.
That is so cool you got to see the unveiling of the red line!
@@Kerry. yep- i also got to see the Blue Line opening at Metro Center and check out Metrolink’s inaugural runs at Union station too.
Fun fact: I used to use what’s now the K Line tracks to walk to school in Inglewood daydreaming about what it would look like to have a Metro Rail station in my area.
I’m very happy other people don’t have to daydream like me now!
@starrwulfe wow, you yourself lived through an incredible, transformative time in LA transit history.
I suppose now is the second wave; I'm so glad you got to take part of it!
Honestly if LA metro is just as safe as Seoul Metro in South Korea, people would ride it. Glad all this is happening before the Olympics because I was wondering how bad the traffic was gonna be with the Olympics and Fifa being here.... I know that LA is the fastest building metro at the moment too
Exciting times!
Having just been in Seoul, I would disagree. We found Korea so much safer than any part of LA. Cleaner and well behaved people as well.
@@deborahsearle2339 I think that is his point. The biggest issue with LA Metro is not nice seat or capacity, but safety and reliability. Last time I rode a metro from Pasadena to USC, the train stopped half way due to police activity at next station, everyone got out, told to ride a bus without specific direction. People went in various directions. We followed one small group and waited 30 min for a bus. No bus. Ended up walking 1.5 mile to final destination.
And before that, rode a metro and seat near near a guy mumbling to himself. It explains why the seat is empty, but still unsettling when you have a kid with you.
@ it is ridiculous what we have to put up with people misbehaving and unreliability of metro…. I would say that I saw many more security people when I rode downtown a few weeks ago. But I was surprised that there weren’t very many people even taking the metro and it was a Saturday!
I've only ridden Metro once. Came in for the Galaxy-MNUFC Game. Ride red line from ear of MacArthur Park to downtown, J Line to and from Carson. Blue Line to Pasadena and back to Union Station. I felt perfectly safe
Wow that transition from Test Train to a normal run immediately, caught me off guard.
It is quite a dramatic statement that literally says "We are ready!"
Surprise!
I like that the new trains keep some design elements from the old cars. They look like a really solid successor to the older cars, not a complete overhaul. Familiar, but clean and fresh. Really cool to see them running finally
You have to recall that the HR4000 is only 64 cars. The remaining cars in the order were canceled and now the old trains are receiving a 3/4 life refurbishment that will see them in service until after the Olympics. A new order of cars from Hyundai Rotem, the HR5000, will replace the old cars but they will not be ready for service until 2027-2028.
Interesting, but that could be cool, too. It could mean we could ride 3 different types of subway cars for a while.
Do you know what specific upgrades the old Bredas will be getting?
Thanks for sharing that info - super helpful; did not know this!
I'm looking forward to the A line extension to Pomona. That said, it will forever be the Gold Line in my heart.
Great video! So happy to see that Metro finally added the Light Up Map so you can see what stop youre at like in NYC
ooh now I want to ride the purple line just to see this new train. Im still waiting on the extension of it, It would've been great to have when I was taking the 720 for an hour and 15 to get to school almost every day. It will be so awesome! awesome video!
Me: Excited
Also me: "I wonder how many weeks before the Red Line riders make these cars look like something out of a dystopian movie again"
These trains are, and will be, PRISTINE in comparison to NYC subway trains in the 70’s & 80’s!
@TiltBrook ...I mean let's be real, the average toilet bowl after having a chili dog at Wienerschnitzel is pristine compared to a 70's NYC subway car.
I actually liked something about that look though. Maybe I watched the Warriors too many times.
Even the current trains don't look dystopian, and they've been around over 30+ years.
@@mrxman581 Red line does for sure. The other lines are better.
@Palatine-Knight Not even the red line. They look well worn, but in relatively good shape for being 30+ years old. And they are keeping them cleaner today than a year ago. Same goes with the stations. The stations are being upgraded, too with better lighting and gates.
Nice. Keep them safe, clean and efficient.
So, to "buy America" we have China ship a train kit to Massachusetts, where non Californians assemble legos, and then pay $230 to have the trains be put on trains and sent to Los Angeles, instead of just paying non-Californians in China to build legos and shipping them to the Port of Los Angeles? .... Smart.
Kick backs for everyone, except the taxpayers paying for them.
The trains have to be built in the USA, it is the law.
There are no more American companies to build them. so they are assembled in the US. Same with the new Amtrak equipment.
It’s the amount of issues CRRC is having I don’t see them being viable for much longer. Stadler, Kawasaki, Siemens, Alstom and now hitachi have more equipment built in the US and only really ship the shells from abroad and are more reliable and exceed buy America standards. Also many agencies like MBTA and CTA Chicago are canceling CRRC orders with poor reliability.
@portcybertryx222 Yes. In fact, LA Metro didn't extend the contract with CRRC because of problems. They only ordered 64 cars. The rest will come from Hyundai Rotem to supply an additional 182 HR5000 cars.
That’s so great! For someone who rides the Metro whenever I’m in LA this is a huge and much needed upgrade. One can’t help but notice how old and outdated Metro’s current subway trains are. It’s gotten me to try and avoid the subway when I can and try to mainly use the light rail lines, which are more updated from the old light rail trains they used to have.
But this is I believe Metro trying to improve their services in preparation for the World Cup and Olympics coming in 2026 and 2028 respectively.
Nice video! I really enjoy the way you edited this video
Thanks for the comment - I appreciate it!
I love how excited this young man is about the metro! I lived in LA for the last 5 years and took it constantly. Being from NYC, I went to LA with a subway bias, but really, the train in LA is totally fine for its purpose, especially since I'm not a driver! Glad to see some improvements. Also, a tip: It's pronounced "Krist-tening", not "Christ-tening" 😛
Thank you for your comment and advice! Rare to find a subway enjoyer in Los Angeles
Thank you for helping bring us the purple line. Can't wait for that to open this year. EDIT: Also had no idea about fare capping. That's awesome. Great video!
Seeing how the trains arrive in LA & are placed on the tracks would be as great for us nerds as your pre-op ride. The fascinating ideas of how trains could arrive by truck, train or even ship from Mass fires our neurons! LOL
So excited for the Purple Line extension!
Which should later be extended all the way to LAX on an elevated alignment!!
i've never been to LA, but their subway systems are dope & in my POV nice lookin', tbqh.
They’re very useful! Our public transportation is great. I grew up taking the bus and subway everywhere.
I'm happy that LA is getting a nice upgrade. Nice looking trains that have more character for LA itself, and not just the raw steel body.
I'm dying to try it. Don't wanna drive to LA from the SFV anymore if I can help it!
Sepulveda Transit Corridor 🥹🥹🥹
Drive to the North Hollywood B line station, park and take the train to the Wilshire/Vermont station to see if you can catch the new cars on the D line. That's the first B line station it shares with the D line if you're coming from your direction. Good luck.
It’s a nice step in the right direction, but we gotta fix the underlying issues with the metro that have nothing to do with the trains. We need a safer metro with more lines. Hopefully the purple line/wilshire project finishes on time for the Olympics so we can actually access the west side, and not just the expo line.
Metro is addressing that too. They are enforcing tap to exit and testing out better fare gates like the new ones Bart uses.
Yes, the “underlying conditions”, like the “homeless”, and the “made in China”.
@@ciello___8307Indeed. I love the new BART fare gates. They are the best ones I've seen. It's great that LA Metro is testing them.
@@ciello___8307 "Tap to exit" is just one step towards robbing the passengers with expensive zone/time fares....
Can't wait to ride this when i visit in March. These new trains look so good but a part of me will miss the old bredas but all rail vehicles have a service life but it is what it is.
The bredas will still run while metro awaits more new traincars
We look forward to your arrival!
@@ciello___8307And Metro said some of the old Bredas will be retrofitted, too. However, they didn't say exactly how.
The Bredas still have another 30 years of life left in them....
@CraigFThompson Not another 30 years, though. For a few years, but not without substantial upgrading of hardware and technology. The carriages themselves are very worn out both inside and put. There are also no modern digital signage. And it has outdated security equipment. It won't be cheap to bring them closer to modern standards. That's why they're only refurbishing a certain amount until the HR5000s start arriving in a couple of years.
That's awesome. I'm so sick of the narrow aisles and awkwardness of two seat groupings making you sit in front of it behind someone. I wish they'd get side facing seats on the light rail lines.
WORSE! Not only do more people end up standing, but facing someone across an aisle can be quite troublesome.
USB ports and lighted stations map are helpful.
Oooh, I’m excited to try one of the new trains! Thanks for letting us know!
~Trav
IN LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA WE NEED THE STREET LIGHTS TO BE FIXED! 80% OF STRRET LIGHTS AROUND MID CITY AND DOWNTOWN HAVE COLLAPSE!
Interesting that LA got an early christmas present, and Sydney Australia which has many similarities to LA, also got one with a new light rail having opened just two days ago!
i give it 1 month before it gets tagged up and homeless people start pissing and leaving trash all over 😂
Wow nice Subway best Wishes ❤❤❤
A HUGE WIN
Yes!!! On all fronts!!
LA Metro is getting these upgrades because of the Olympics that will happen in a few years from now. It's kinda disappointing that we need an event such as the Olympics to highlight how backwards SOV transit is to the region (due to the predicted influx of tourists) since the majority of the flow of traffic occurs from suburb to urban environments.
To be fair, many of these new lines and extensions (and, as a result, the need for new rolling stock) were in the works long before LA even bid on the 2024 Olympics. If I recall correctly, the new rolling stock is necessary for the D Line to achieve certain frequencies per Metro's agreement/funding from the FTA for the D Line extension, which began planning back in 2009 I think.
That's not true. Besides, LA actually wanted the 2024 games, not the 2028 games. These transit upgrades were planned independently of the Olympics, not because of them. These new train cars were delayed by 4 years because of Covid and manufacturing problems.
LA Metro was given a grant from the federal government back in 2012/2013 to buy new equipment and they did. New buses, trains, relief cars, trucks, etc. I thought they were going to buy more of the same trains from Italy. The CEO and 4 other guys were there for like 3 days at the Red Line Maintenance Facility...
Cannot wait to ride these! I just wish they would give them proper PE trombone whistles. Its Hollywood, a good SFX of that whistle has to be floating around somewhere in this town
This is a great idea!
Wow, you guys out in L.A. are so lucky that your new trains are running with few hitches! The MBTA in Boston had sooo many bad experiences with their new CRRC Orange Line and Red Line trains that they had to send them back to the plant to be fixed. And delivery was slow too... for a transit system where some (most?) of the old trains were 40 and even 50 years old!
I heard a lot from MBTA about quality control problems! We shall see!
Well, to be honest, another transit YTer said the new train cars did have a problem for a little bit at the Wilshire/Western station once it went into service. However, it didnt seem like a major issue.
So some of the old trains are 40 to 50 years old?! Do you know what that says about rail-based public transit?! Simply that rail vehicles outlast buses----in the long run, saving money.
@CraigFThompson You're missing his point. He's implying that the trains were more problematic to maintain and run and should have been replaced years ago. Vehicles don't last forever, and technology evolves, too.
@mrxman581 Yet the newer equipment has a much shorter lifespan....plus, maintenance employees know the older systems, and can literally fabricate parts for the old equipment right in their own shops. With the new stuff, such in-house fabrication would be next to impossible.
Of course they put USB-A ports instead of USB-C....
LOL
It's a non-issue since USB-A to USB-C cables are readily available. That way, it works for many more types of devices and not just the newest.
@@mrxman581 Except USB-C charges 20x faster and USB-C to USB-micro-B also exists so older devices would still be covered.
@CZsWorld That's true, but these train's designs were probably done around 6 years ago. I'm sure with time they can update them. I was just implying that you could still charge a USB-C device. Some people imply that you can't.
Ah yes, good 'ol CRRC-MA... I mean, it depends who you're talking to how good it is. Also, I still can't believe Ylvis shot those EXACT scenes just a stop away from me on the Red Line.
That's so freaking cool!
I was lucky enough to be hired to shoot some video of the original construction of the tunnels and underground stations. Tudor Saliba (spelling here is questionable) was the original contractor. I remember having to climb down metal scaffolding to get down to the floor.
You were close! It was Tutor-Saliba.
@@Johnny_Socko For some reason, I remember "TuDor"; maybe it must've been a misprint....maybe not.
The new trains for LA Red and Purple Line Metro lines are a huge upgrade to the existing fleet (wich seems like it hasnt got refurbished or taken care of in any other way since it's first day of operation). They definitely arent bad. But compared to the usual usual metro or tram vehicles that came into service in the past few years throughout europe, it is sad that these trains are perceived as an upgrade, as the upgrade especially regarding passenger information systems could be much bigger.
There are other digital screens on the side walls that will have train information, too. They just weren't active yet.
And, yes, the old Bredas are the original cars that first went into service in 1993. They were originally going to get replaced in 2019, but there were issues with CRRC and then Covid hit, so here we are about 4-5 years delayed..
@@mrxman581 Seems i was "lucky" to still see them in operation when i went to LA this summer. Also nice to hear that there will be additional digital screens
@@bahnfahrenaufschlau Yes, it wasn't clear what type of information will be on those screens, but Tiger Railfan YTer does show them in one of his videos. He was also an invited guest.
Honestly, my top 5 concerns of riding the metro is safety. All 5 spots. Please that's all I ask at this point.
Having worked at two different Metro Divisions, I would not sit on those seats ever again. Whether it's the lighht rail or a bus.
The nasty things the homeless do to them is just gross 🤮.
Supposedly the LACMTA cleaning budget must've been repurposed elsewhere....
US need more of this so bad!
OK I love the safety of hay I can see you !
Nice job 👏🏼👏🏼
That Ylvis reference might’ve made my day
Haha this is awesome; so glad!
I think this a good step forward. It's not going to be nowhere near the level of the rail system in Japan or Korea but at least its another option. The Metro bus system is pretty nice especially the silver line and the Flyaway bus at LAX.
Baby steps!
Mostly, the buses just plain SUCK! They get caught up in traffic, getting on everyone's last nerve!!
Great Watch.
They call the center aisle, "A GANG WAY".....ironic
Love it ❤ 👏
The New Seats look Way Harder than than Previous
At least they're not plastic
yeah so homeless dont sleep in them
They are more rigid, but they're shaped better so still comfortable enough. But, yes, less padding than the old ones. The new ones are more similar to the seats on the new light rail train cars.
Super cool!
Reminds me so much of the nycta's R211T's.
the new liveries give me metrolink vibes
New subscriber! ❤
Thank you for your support - yay!
HR4000 are not made in China. They are made in Springfield. I know this, because my company makes all the interior light systems for them. HVAC is also made here in Southern California...
Nice, hopefully, they add more and more trains, what the system lacks is frequencies, a train every 20-15 minutes is useless, they should run every 5 min max as in any other proper city
Trains run every 12 to 20 minutes, depending on time of the day of the week, although from midmorning to late evening they have are 12 minute headways seven days a week.
Also, between Wilshire/Vermont and Union Station, both the B and D Lines share all the same stops so the headways for that section, which includes all of downtown, is only six minutes.
They run a little more often than that and it will be even better on the D line once the first extension opens next year.
@Geotpf 12 minutes is still useless, 6 min downtown is useless, they should run back to back downtown and every 2-4 in the rest of the systems, no one with a car will opt for public transit since it's so unreliable
@@mrxman581 12 minutes is still useless, 6 min downtown is useless, they should run back to back downtown and every 2-4 in the rest of the system, no one with a car will opt for public transit since it's so unreliable
@bjoon It's obviously not useless because ridership has increased every month for the last 2 years. Once the new D line extension opens frequencies will get better. The LA Metro is continually improving. It's not a static system. The important thing is that more people are using it as it continues to improve. I've used it many, many times and it has been extremely useful especially going to DTLA, Hollywood, and Koreatown.
Hopefully fleet trade out won’t be caught in any upcoming trade wars or budget battles
I believe the 64 cars are already in the USA.
Kind of surprised LA Metro didn’t go with installing widescreen LCD displays for station info and route maps, even the newer train sets on the MTA in NYC has them. They are much more advanced and flexible (in terms of routes) than the light-up maps LA Metro went with. CRRC (the manufacturer for LA’s new train sets) offers widescreen LCDs as an option and is found in metro systems across China, where, unsurprisingly, the bulk of CRRC’s orders are from.
There are other digital screens on the side walls, but they weren't active yet. I'm sure they'll have additional information.
Will the new trains come with better air circulation and air fresheners? And will they be better for riders with bicycles?
Yeah there’s bicycle/luggage securement straps
not the manchester metrolink livery omg
Did they really put fewer seats on the train, and you are making it sound like a good thing?
Exactly 2 seats fewer but a lot higher capacity. Excellent choice
@@dkii21 STANDING ROOM ONLY....
when can I use purple line
1:57 JOSH T
A Josh T has appeared
@@Kerry.thanks for cameo 🙌
@ElevationStationProductions thank you for EVERYTHING!
Hype!
30 isn't old for trains they have at least ten years left !!!
Just like NYC subway as well
I'd like to post a few suggestions:
1. Your voice was quieter than the background noise, and I suggest you improve your audio mixing next time so that you can be more clearly heard.
2. Generic background music is unnecessary. It's better to hear the transit you're on.
Los Angeles still has a long way to go, but I appreciate this look into its growing metro.
it's amazing how their newer E line trains (japanese made) had the same seating format as the old trains. I literally would fear for my safety, because I can only see what's in front. I kinda got used to it and ignored the safety part as I used it more. They finally made a correct decision.
The flipside is that there's less seating available. So when it's busy and you can't get a seat... You're in the same position as before. Except now you have to stand the whole time. Which not only is more uncomfortable, but leaves you more exposed.
So if you can score a seat, it's nicer. But it's going to be twice as hard. And if it's busy you're also gonna have to have some dude's ass in your face because you're facing the aisle. Pros and cons I guess.
@@Palatine-KnightWe'll see once they are fully used. For me personally, i am more used to this new style since it is common in Asia. For the space/butt concern, I doubt it will be that bad because the concept of personal space here is different and it will depend on the line. I usually take the e lime to east la and it is not crowded. Azusa line seems to be more crowded and people are already standing somehwat close to each other.
@@Ninjabeefyschtick Yeah, I remember the trains being like this in Seoul, and they were really comfortable... But I was also riding pretty late at night. In BKK though I don't think I've ever actually gotten a seat on the BTS or MRT and I ride it all the time.
The E line isn't usually too bad. But I mostly ride the B line and it usually has a higher amount of people on it
@@Palatine-KnightOnly 2 less sests per car, but higher overall capacity. That's a good tradeoff.
@@mrxman581 Source?
I'm glad they're updating, but these aren't impressive at all. Hopefully they keep investing in trains and dedicate more roads to mass transit, bikes, and electric options.
baby steps!
Not impressive how?
@ Please explain what you find impressive. It’s a standard train. Nothing cutting edge or ground breaking here. They’re just fine.
@@sloanNYC I'm just curious why you say it's not impressive. Your word not mine. What metric are you using to judge impressiveness level. Just seems a little subjective.
@@mrxman581 Of course it is subjective. There's nothing new or revolutionary here. It's a standard car with nothing to entice new riders. Which is fine, but this isn't a glow up or exciting. It's maintenance. Standard maintenance. Which is needed, but not impressive or exciting.
When will these become standard? Every 4 minutes would be a huge upgrade.
Do you think metro is doing enough to protect passengers? I’m still very hesitant to ride as a single disabled female after all the violence towards women that’s been going on the last few years on LA metro specifically.
Things have improved over the last year. I would recommend to ride the train with a friend during the hours you would normally expect to use the system to get a real world experience and judge for yourself.
we’ve landed on the moon !!! 🙄🌚
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Sooo less seats and more standing room. Got it.
Only 2 fewer seats per car, but much more overall capacity. That's a good tradeoff to accommodate future growth more efficiently.
@@mrxman581 STILL more standing room....
@CraigFThompson Yes, but it's a good tradeoff for more capacity and minimal cost compared to needing to run larger trainsets or more trains. Most people don't ride the train for the whole distance either, and those that do would very likely get to sit down at some point in their journey.
No USB C ???
They lied. I don’t see the new trains currently running 😅 it’s the same ol’ thing…..
Problem is these are Chinese so they'll fall apart in 2 years
Wasn't that why they're already switching to Hyundai or sth?
@LGVRhin-RhoneYes.
@LGVRhin-Rhone And THOSE will fall apart in six MONTHS....
@LGVRhin-Rhone And THOSE will fall apart in six MONTHS....
Lack of led screens is disappointing
i noticed the difference!! (doctors HATE me)
New trains wont matter. They will smell like the homless's toilet within a day. They need to eliminate this problem in order for more people to ride them.
I live 80 miles from L.A. but I was riding Metro just this week. I'm hoping that the Purple Line extension finally brings enough passengers to the trains that the homeless and druggies go somewhere else. Metro needs to get serious about removing non-passengers from the trains.
They're working on it. Things have improved over the last 18 months.
About 3 weeks ago several security officers boarded my E line train at the 7th/Metro station and asked to see your Metro Tap Card. They escorted 2 people off the train. First time I've seen that.
@@mrxman581 - The LRT has regular fare control. The subway is the issue. If I were in charge, every non-peak train would be emptied at Union Station, the train would continue to the yard, then anyone still on the train would be given medical attention and otherwise cleared out of there before it is sent back out. Many of these people are physically ill.
@@pacificostudios They might be doing that already. I know they started getting people off at EOL stations on the LRT lines so they might be doing the same on the B and D subway lines.
@@mrxman581 - I've been avoiding the subway just for that reason. Remember, the woman murdered in cold blood was at a subway station. The subway is scarier, with cops doing absolutely nothing about anything from smoking to meth use to bicycles on the escalators to people entering through the handicapped gate. They seem to have received no instruction as to what they are supposed to be doing.
@pacificostudios Yes, that was terrible and sad. However, because of that incident they started the TAP to exit pilot program and it was successful. Now they are expanding it. In their research they discovered that 95% of the reported crimes and problems were caused by people who had NOT paid the fare. So Tap to exit gives LA Metro another opportunity to catch fare evaders. Many other Metro systems around the world use tap to exit.
I did see two guys doing crack at the Hollywood and Vine station. The station was clean and seem better lit to me, too. Also, the classical music playing at some station seems to be helping, too. Personally, I like the music. Did not see any homeless on the platforms or station entrances.
LA Metro also approved the creation of their own security force. That will be a huge improvement over using law enforcement who are not specifically train to deal with problems on public transit systems. Unfortunately, that will take 4-5 years to make happen. I'm still hoping it's established for the Olympics. We'll see, but things are improving overall. They need to keep it up though. They still have a way to go especially on the subway as you say.
Esto es lo más mejor por mí sabes quién vaya donde sea y llegamos donde usted quiere que no buscamos otra forma o etcétera etcétera no los qué es nadie te puede rajar la ley así como somos 15 alguien sé a dónde son pero el chiste pondré todos los de aquí California lo que son México no le hace
I would rather have more than 3 trains an hour and service after 11:30pm than new rolling stock, but I'm not greasing the palms of LA city council so who cares about me? 😡
New rolling stock is needed though for more frequent trains, no? 🤔
You obviously don't use LA Metro because the trains are more frequent during peak hours. And LA Metro did extend operation hours this year by around one hour in the evening across all or most lines.
In general, it’s still look the same. It’s just a paint job over an old dinosaur train. The US is #1 in pretending to be #1.
hoping la’s train stations will someday be as good as any 1st Asian countries
They are. Have you seen all the stations?
not even in 50 years 😔
@mrxman581 please name some
Those "1st Asian countries" that ALL started much later in the game....
@@CraigFThompson Well, not later than the LA Metro, which started in 1990.
Let's see how long it takes before hooligans scratch graffiti into the windows and steel panels of the new trains, all while the new Metro police and staff do nothing to prevent it.
Vapid comment.
When are they going to replace NYC old, dirty, and outdated subway trains ? 😂
Can't you see they're ALREADY working on it?!
@ No, NYC subway stations look the same!
@ NOPE; there are several variations….
Btw, you asked about TRAINS; the NYCMTA is already replacing their entire fleet as I type this comment.
these are ugly. LA should have got the Sydney Metro Metropolis stock instead and they could have retrofitted platform screen doors and made them driverless. Even the desto boards inside these trains are outdated. And the map could of being displayed on a digital screen, even new yorks new R211 subway cars are much more modern than these. If you want to encourage people to take public transport, you need to not only improve frequency but also appearance. Make it look nice and safe, will probably encourage more people to use it.
The screens are all modern digital screens. The shape of the trains is an homage to the original trains. They have a retro vibe, which is cool that they aren't following what everyone else is doing.
The issue of automation and platform doors are not the priority for now. The bigger issue is to replace all the old trains as quickly as is practical. That will take 2-3 years. In the interim, a combination of retrofitted old Bredas and new HR4000s will be used.
Automation and platform screen doors are completely different investments from just procuring extra trains. Also why specifically the Sydney Metro's metropolis stock? Why not any other Alstom Metropolis?
Better than the original ones by far. But still a little old and tired.
No, more like an homage to the Bredas with a modern retro vibe.
Digital tracking has been on LA trains for years… glad the red line finally got up to speed
The new trains will be on the D purple line for now.
China has the best trains
Too much music.
There is no subway in Los Angeles. Metro trains are mostly above ground.
You haven’t been to LA in a good 40 years. Lots of underground stations.
Not true. There's been a subway since 1993. A new extension will open in 2025. There are also 8 underground light rail stations in addition to all the subway stations.
The red and purple lines (shown in this video) are entirely underground.
and in a week it will smell like piss with homeless sleeping in it.
yes
Vapid comment
@@mrxman581 go get your 5th booster
@@thedrunkweddingphotographer vapid comment
These trains look so bad compared to what they have in Asia lol
However, at the VERY LEAST, there's a forward view, which'll be indispensable once the lines emerge from their underground alignments....
$1.75 is insane.
Good or bad insane?
Insanely cheap
@ElevationStationProductions Agreed. I read recently that the NYC subway fares were going up to $3 per one-way ride next year. Ouch!
As a native Angeleno, I'm spoiled with the LA Metro fares. I get a senior discount. It's 75 cents weekdays and 35 cents weekends.
LA Metro also has a capped fare system. For seniors, it's $2.50 for 1 day and $5 for a week. Students can ride for free. Low income residents can get 20 free rides per month, too.
The regular capped fare is $5 for 1 day and $18 for a week. Very convenient, especially for tourists. They can use the LA Metro rail, bus, and bikes as much as they want and will never pay more than $18 per week or $5 a day.
The USB charging won't stick around for long. And im happy it won't. Homeless will linger around there for sure!
I prefer the old ones
No, they needed to be replaced. Though, they are retrofitting some of the old Bredas, so they'll still be around for a few years.
These trains should have been used for the 2028 olympics. They'll be trashed horribly by 2028
Ridiculous! Even the current 30 YEAR OLD TRAINS are not trashed horribly.😂
@@mrxman581they are but the difference is stuff was built way better 30 years ago these trains will have literal holes in the wall in a week
@jimmyjohn6479 Not true. Besides, only 64 of these cars will come from CRRC. The rest, about 200, will come from Hyundai Rotem. And in the interim, some of the old Bredas will be retrofitted.
There's almost no seats in the new cars!!!
Still smells like pee and drugs all over 😂 them giving content creators “vip” invites still won’t get me near any LA public transportation and I’m in LA 3 times a week
yes comes pre installed with chinese spyware.
With my social anxiety, I would rather stand for an hour than have to stare at a stranger in those old, awkward seat groupings.