Traffic reached a tipping point where rail was a viable if not better option. The pandemic changed the calculus a bit but in general never underestimate LA traffic.
Thirty years ago, the rule of thumb was that to get from point A to point B for all points A and B in the L.A. area it will take about an hour. I think these days that rule of thumb has gone up to 90+ minutes, although it’s over a decade since I left L.A.
One thing people don’t realize is that the LA Metro area actually has a greater population density than the New York Metro area. Yes, Manhattan and some of the boroughs have higher density than you’ll see anywhere in Los Angeles, but the low-density areas in L.A. are higher density than the low density areas in NY.
One thing people don’t realize is that the LA Metro area actually has a greater population density than the New York Metro area. Yes, Manhattan and some of the boroughs have higher density than you’ll see anywhere in Los Angeles, but the low-density areas in L.A. are higher density than the low density areas in NY.