his 2021 Lakewood Transit Guide is packed with advice on Bikes are cool More information about cycling as a transit alter- T alternatives to solo driving. You’ll find trip planning tools and Sometimes two wheels are better than four. native can be found at www.metro.net/riding/ Even as Los Angeles County transi- tions to fewer COVID restrictions, transit answers to your questions on getting around by transit. Lakewood’s flat terrain and clusters of parks, go-bike. riders should continue safe habits. As of As more Lakewood residents return to work and school in schools and stores make biking an option that’s as June 1, 2021, a mask covering your nose the weeks ahead, they’ll find that public transit is ready to get good for your health as it is for your pocketbook. Special transit services and mouth must still be worn at all times them on their way. Just ask the increasing number of people who use Everybody into the pool. Why not share the while riding public transit. You should No matter the destination, Lakewood is a good place to bikes to commute to work, take trips around town costs of commuting? Carpooling will help reduce also keep as much distance from other leave the car at home. Walkable and bikeable streets that lead or connect to bus and rail services. Bikes are a real the cost of driving and put fewer miles on your car. passengers as possible by leaving an to Lakewood’s schools, parks and shopping centers are essen- alternative to driving! To find a carpool, go to the ride matching service empty seat or row when you ride. Avoid using transit if you feel unwell or have a tial parts of the city’s transportation heritage. All LB Transit and Metro buses have bike racks. provided by or call 511 www.commutesmart.info temperature. And Metro allows riders to bring their bike on to have an agent help you. Currently, bus and rail lines are run- board light rail A vanpool is a group of 5 to 15 people who regu- ning at reduced levels, but transit provid- and subway larly travel 30 miles or more to and from work. Typi- ers are beginning to restore service to cars. Bicycle cally, riders pay a monthly fare and maintenance fee, pre-COVID levels. Before riding, visit the Cut costs. Commuting only once a week by transit can racks and stor- while drivers ride at a discounted rate in exchange Metro and LB Transit websites, or call Lakewood DASH, to learn about service bring your driving costs under control. Gas, insurance and auto age lockers for for driving and maintaining the van. To join or form changes and current COVID safety rules. maintenance add up fast. Driving a typical four-door sedan bikes can be a carpool or vanpool, go to www.metro.net/ (Web addresses and customer service costs nearly $9,000 a year. The transit choices that Lakewood found at some riding/rideshare. phone numbers for both transit agencies residents enjoy are real alternatives to the high cost of driving. Metro stations. are included on page 2.) Just for fun. Public transit isn’t only about commuting. As Lakewood has For more COVID advice, consult the COVID restrictions relax in its own system L.A. County Public Health website at the weeks ahead, how about of bike lanes Lakewood’s DASH www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/ Coronavirus/. a trip to the arts and enter- and paths. The service takes ac- tainment districts in down- system is de- tive senior citizens town Long Beach and Los scribed at www. and disabled adults Coping with Angeles? Or ride the A Line lakewoodcity. to medical centers, COVID-19 to Staples Center for a game? 1. Metro’s bus system includes local org/bicycle. stores and com- routes and express routes. 2. Service Parking. Park & Ride lots is frequent and fast on Metro’s B and Entrance munity facilities in throughout the Metro sys- D lines. points in Lake- Lakewood and a Lakewood offers DASH service Heightened cleanliness. LB Tran- tem provide safe, convenient wood to the San Gabriel River Trail are at every limited number of for seniors and the disbled. sit, Metro, and Lakewood DASH have places to park and transfer to major overcrossing of the river. From Del Amo destinations outside the city. The free service strengthened their cleaning regimens a bus or train. Some lots are Boulevard, the path takes riders south for six miles is for Lakewood residents over 60 or disabled using EPA-approved disinfectants. Both free. Some have fees. To find through Rynerson and El Dorado parks and end- residents 18 or older. systems currently use rear-door boarding a Park & Ride lot at any point ing at the ocean in Seal Beach. The northern route Pre-registration is required, and pickups are to minimize operator/passenger contact. along your commute, go to terminates in the San Gabriel foothills. by reservation only. For registration information, LB Transit and Metro also have installed hand sanitizer dispensers throughout their Let someone else deal with the . Del Amo Boulevard provides easy access to call the DASH office at 562-924-0149. www.metro.net systems. Metro even offers mask dispens- driving. Lakewood’s 2021 Transit More transit choices. Cerritos Regional Park and the northern end of the Dial-A-Lift is a service of LB Transit. Dial-A- Guide shows you how. ers on trains and buses. Lakewood DASH Further investment is ex- Coyote Creek Bikeway. A four-mile journey further Lift’s curb-to-curb service takes eligible passen- also provides hand sanitizer and masks to panding transit choices, making travel faster and easier. The south joins riders with the San Gabriel River Trail. gers to any destination in Long Beach, Signal passengers. Regional Connector, tying three of the busiest rail lines into a Cyclists can access the Orange County bike Hill and Lakewood. Like Lakewood DASH, pre- Staying healthy. Be a safe pas- seamless network, and the completion of the K Line (Crenshaw system by pedaling east along Del Amo Boulevard registration is required to ride. For help with senger. Maintain social distancing. Avoid Line) will soon give transit users even more ways to connect or Centralia Street. The southern end of the San registration, call 562-591-8753. touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Wash your hands frequently with soap work, shopping, and recreation. Extensions of existing light rail Gabriel River Trail connects to beachside bike lanes and water. Follow a regular cleaning and subway lines are being built, and a direct rail link to LAX in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The information in this guide was checked for accuracy in May 2021. schedule for cell phones and other fre- terminals is coming. quently touched surfaces. Lakewood Transit Guide 2021 ▪ 4 Lakewood Transit Guide 2021 ▪ 1 Get more information www.lakewoodcity.org/transit Lakewood’s Tips for new riders You can get in-person help at the Transit In summer, LB Transit’s Aquabus and Aqua- website includes a guide to local transportation options. It’s always a good idea to plan ahead. Before you and Visitor Information Center Monday link services sail to waterfront attractions. www.lbtransit.com Long Beach Transit’s website ride: Opened in 1939, Union Station in Los through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beaches and foothills. If you need to has maps and schedules along with a trip planning n Angeles is a major hub for transit tool. Bus arrival times are available for mobile Get a copy of the Long Beach bus schedule by commute to downtown Los Angeles, the users. Bus lines, light rail and subway phone users. calling 562-591-2301 or clicking to Take a trip by transit www.lbtransit. lines and regional and national rail lines Metro A Line can put you at 7th and Flower www.accessla.org Access Services offers transit . Use the site’s online trip planner for your route. all converge at Union Station. It’s surprisingly easy to make connections. streets in less than 40 minutes from the Del options for disabled residents. com Metro provides the same service at www.metro.net. If you’re new to public transit, your first Amo station. If you want to explore down- www.metro.net The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s website has schedules, a trip planner You’ll need the address of your starting and destina- ride is likely to be on a bus. The systems town Long Beach, the southern end of the A and tools for using TAP fare cards. Mobile phone users can see bus and train arrival times. tion points, as well as the day and time you want to that serve Lakewood run modern, air-con- Line terminates in a loop that’s close to the www.ladottransit.com The Los Angeles Depart- leave or arrive. ditioned, clean-fueled coaches that make Aquarium of the Pacific, Terrace Theater, the ment of Transportation provides local bus service in and around downtown Los Angeles. The LADOT n Review your stops and transfer points. Be at your getting to your destination easy, comfort- Long Beach main library, Long Beach Con- homepage has information on current service changes, fares and routes. starting point 10 minutes early. Google Maps has a able and environmentally sound. vention Center and the Pike entertainment feature for mobile phones telling you when the next To make using bus transit even more ap- www.octa.net The Orange County Transportation district. Authority has trip planning information for com- bus or train is approaching.