Residents of East Los Angeles greeted the new extension of Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro Gold Line light-rail service with shouts of excitement as 1st District County Supervisor Gloria Molina put the link to Downtown and Pasadena into perspective.
"We have the chance to go wherever we want," said Molina at the November 15 launch of service on the line, which is formally known as the Edward R. Roybal Gold Line East Los Angeles Extension in honor of the late and long-serving member of the U.S. Congress who represented the area for decades.
"We are now ready and prepared because of the access that we should and will have," Molina said.
Molina also acknowledged the members of the Review Advisory Committee that was established to review and give feedback on the condition and general direction of the Metro light rail project.
Later that day, at the Mariachi Plaza station in the Boyle Heights district, politicians again held an official act in which they expressed support of the new line and the local economy.
Molina urged residents to take care of the new transportation system and keep it free of graffiti.
Jose Villa, who owns the J&C Cream Shop located at Plaza Mariachi, said the new rail service is important for the area residents to have a access to a fast and efficient transportation system, adding that he hopes the Gold Line will also bring visitors to Boyle Heights area and customers to its businesses.
Margarita Gomez offered an indication that Villa's hopes have a chance. Gomez came from her home in Paramount in southeast Los Angeles County just to ride the new line and to visit Mariachi Plaza. She said it was the first time she had come to Boyle Heights.
"I had only heard of Plaza Mariachi, and now I'm here with my sister, the immigrant from the Mexican state of Michoacan said "I really liked this line. I think it's a good service."
Cinthia de Leon, Esperanza Juarez and Lucy Gomez — all members of the Mariachi Voz de America musical group, said that they hope the Gold Line will help them and their fellow musicians get around the city and region for performances.
Construction of the Gold Line extension took approximately five years and cost $898 million. The line is an extension of Gold Line service that runs between Downtown's Union Station and Pasadena. The extension now adds service south of Downtown to a stop in the Little Tokyo district, and then heads east, with seven more stations covering Boyle Heights and various other areas before ending at the East Los Angeles Civic Center.
Call (800) COMMUTE or visit metro.net for more information in English or Spanish.
Mireya Olivera is editor of Impulso.
Photos by Impulso.
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