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# Some rapid expansion
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/some-rapid-expansion/
- Published: 2006-12-08T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T23:20:50.000Z
- Author: Kevin Herrera
- Tags: local, Downtown, #archive-import

FOURTH STREET — Looking to entice more riders while improving service for long-time customers, the Los Angeles County MTA board on Thursday approved a plan that will cut down travel times for those who ride the bus along Wilshire Boulevard.

In June, commuters will be able to hop on a Wilshire Rapid Express bus that will make just seven stops between downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica during rush hour. The current Metro Rapid line stops at 21 stations along the same route.

“It’s another innovative tool in our ever-expanding network, giving commuters choices that are adapted to fit their commuting patterns,” said City Council member Pam O’Connor, the vice chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board. “We think this will cut down on travel time, and that is one of the most important things in many people’s lives. We want to maintain clean, reliable service and we think this will be a great opportunity to do that.

“Perhaps we can attract new customers too.”

Red Rapid buses employs technology that keeps traffic lights green for longer periods of time.

The Express service is a pilot program that, if successful, could expand to other routes, O’Connor said.

Currently, there are 14 Rapid routes. Another route on Reseda Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley is expected to be added within weeks. There are plans to have a total of 28 Rapid routes by 2008, MTA officials said.

Wilshire Boulevard is the MTA’s heaviest traveled bus corridor, with more than 60,000 daily bus boardings. About 45,000 of those boardings are on the Rapid line.

The Wilshire Rapid Express is expected to stop at the Vermont and Western stations, Fairfax Avenue, Beverly Drive and Westwood Boulevard, in addition to Santa Monica stops at Fourth and Fifth streets and Colorado Avenue.

Bus fare will be the same as paying for normal bus service — $1.25 for one trip or $3 for unlimited trips on all routes for one day.

The limited-stop service is similar to a program implemented on the Metro Gold Line to Pasadena in February. The Gold Line Express stops at just five of the 13 light rail stations during rush hour, which is the time between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Since it was created in 2000, the Wilshire Rapid line has cut travel times from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica by 25 percent, getting commuters to their destinations in less than 45 minutes, said Rick Jager, a spokesman for the MTA.

“We believe Express service will be able to cut an extra five to 10 minutes,” Jager said. “Wherever we go, riders are always saying they want faster service.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 8, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/120806.pdf?ref=smdp.com)