Back in November when I filmed LACMTA 9556 and Foothill Transit F1610 between El Monte Station and Downtown LA, I decided to check out the new bus stop along the El Monte Busway near LA Union Station’s Patsaouras Transit Plaza. After several years of construction beginning in 2017 along with a delay from April 2018 to April 2019 due to some artifacts being found along the construction site, the station finally opened on November 1, 2020. This new stop replaces the former bus stop near Alameda St at the busway entrance, which will still be used as a backup in case elevators don’t work at the new stop. More importantly, this new station eliminates the long walk to Union Station and instead connects the station with a bridge over the busway.
I decided to visit the new stop myself on November 6, 2020 during a evening full of clouds and drizzle. I was initially going to film after I got off 9556, but there was security there so I decided to cross the bridge to Patsaouras Transit Plaza and spend a few minutes there before I headed back to the bus stop where I start recording as I head down the ramp from the bridge. I then walk around the platform which had no security walking around this time and I filmed all the bus stops on each side along with some of the other signs posted throughout. I even managed to catch a few buses that passed by, the 487 in both directions and the J Line (Silver) 910, both of which serve the station along with Foothill Transit’s Silver Streak and Commuter Express Lines 490, 493, 495, 498, 499, and 699 during weekday rush hours.
Recorded: 11/6/2020
