Charles Hobbs proposed we explore the transit systems of Compton and Carson for our Fall 2003 study tour. Unfortunately the MTA strike forced us to reschedule the trip to Spring 2004. Saturday May 15 was the date set and Lionel Jones took the lead in planning.

Our initial rendezvous point was the fish tank at the Gateway Center at 8 a.m. By 8:15 a.m. we were on our way, riding Red Line vehicle #516 from Union Station to 7th/Metro. Among those in the group at this point were Ken Ruben, Woody Rosner, Lionel Jones, Carlos Osuna, Paul Castillo, Andy Novak and Dana Gabbard.

At 7th/Metro we boarded Blue Line vehicle #159A, "The City of South Gate". As we departed the car was full with some standees. Hank Fung joined us at Grand station. As is common with the Blue Line there was a great deal of people getting on and off along the way as we proceeded southward. At 9:04 a.m. we arrived at the Compton station, adjacent to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Transit Center.

Ed Buckley was already at the Transit Center and joined the group. While waiting we explored the Transit Center. Inside the Center were some chairs and tables for one to sit at, an indoor fountain to provide atmosphere and various offices off the corridors (mostly closed). There was a Metrobus information phone plus pay phones and bathrooms. A bus schedule rack unfortunately was empty. There was a police substation with a counter which at the time was unoccupied. In fact the place was mostly empty. At the back was the Greyhound counter, mere steps from the Greyhound bus platform. Around this time
a DowneyLINK bus drove by the Center with a headsign that said this vehicle was "training" . We weren't surprised since the Downey and Compton systems use the same contractor.

Several Compton buses began arriving (the Transit center functions as a timed transfer for the Compton system) and we boarded Route 1, which displayed the destination Centennial Gateway. Fare for Compton's system is 50 cents, and the driver actually had a supply of the new Muni to Metro transfers for a quarter. The entire Compton bus is made up of El Dorado/National buses known as TRE-32. This bus we were on was #21370. The seats were cushioned and very comfortable--seating capacity was 31 and we departed with 4 passengers. We traveled thru commercial then residential areas, and even passed the First Transit yard. While ridership was mostly light it was noteworthy that at Aranbe & Rosecrans that we had 3 boardings. We returnerd to the Transit center at 9:50 a.m.

We decided next to explore route 5, the only one of the five Compton routes that takes nearly an hour to do its circuit (the other 4 routes take about 20 minutes to do their loop). The destination displayed was MLK Hospital and the vehicle was #21367. The air conditioning was much more noticeable on this bus (and appreciated!). We began with 4 passengers. Among the first places we passed was a shopping center, then for a time we were shadowing an MTA line 60 bus. Accessing Compton College entailed going over a speed bump. By now the bus was empty except for us. At the Artesia Blue Line station we had 1 boarding, continuing thru the nearby industrial park and eventually past Cal State Univ. Dominguez Hills. It was at this time that Ken Ruben via cell phone made his weekly call to the internet program Let's Talk Trains, describing our adventures to the hosts and their listeners. We continued thru a markedly middleclass neighborhood and had 7 passengers board at the intersection of Compton and El Segundo. Further along we passed the famed Drew/MLK Medical Center and spotted one of the County contracted Hahn Trolleys. We arrived back at the Transit Center at 10:50 a.m. where Russ Jones and Armando Avalos were waiting to join us.

Now we boarded Route 3, with Job Center as the destination--vehicle #21368 and one passenger. Initially we were in a working class enclave, passing Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. 5 boardings occurred at El Segundo and Santa Fe. The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful except for passing a Fashion Center. Having ridden 3 of the 5 Compton routes we decided to have a lunch break and then start our exploration of the Carson Circuit system. Among the nearby eateries patronized were Subway, McDonald's and El Pollo Loco. At 12:22 p.m. we caught Blue Line vehicle #155A ("The City of Paramount") southward to the Del Amo station.

At 12:50 p.m. we boarded Carson Circuit route D, a Gillig Phantom vehicle #B43. There were 8 passengers. The route traveled thru industrial parks interspersed with residential areas. Along Carson Street surroundings were commercial then industrial (indicated by a high bridge to carry us over a rail yard). We passed a few mobile home parks, Carson's City Hall and then crossed under the 405 freeway. At 1:10 p.m. we arrived at the hub of the Carson system, a stretch of curb alongside the South Bay Pavilion where the buses lay over and one can transfer between routes.

We next rode on Route E, a Ford Econoline/Champion #697. This bus lacked any exterior sign it was operating for the Carson system (i.e. it was unmarked), evidently a pull-out from the contractor's yard when one of the dedicated vehicles failed. The seats were cushioned and comfy, with enough space to seat 20 plus a wheelchair. We started with only two passengers. The route proceeded along some residential streets with names such as Brenner, Wadley and Wall. Many of the homes had satellite TV dishes on their roofs. Much to our surprise we spotted two military jets pass overhead, followed by two helicopters. We learned the nearby city of Torrance was holding a salute to the military which explains the presence of the flying vehicles.

Next we tried Route C, an El Dorado #314 with (thankfully) air conditioning and a seating capacity of 29. There were 5 passengers. There was some marked on and off boarding as we proceeded. Mostly unremarkable, landmarks passed by the route included an Elementary School and Junior High School. We arrived back at South Bay Pavilion at 2:35 p.m. for a rest break. Some sought out a snack from the nearby AM/PM. Hank Fung decided to take off, catching a 205 to connect with the 254. Ed Buckley along with Carlos and Paul also decided to call it a day.

At 3:24 p.m. we took Route A, vehicle #311. This passed Cal State Dominguez Hills, took residential streets thru a new development and carried 3 passengers. Our last bus was Route F, #319 which also explored residential areas, besides passing the Carson Auto Mall and some gated communities. After going by the Carson Town Center mall and industrial area we once again passed the Auto Mall on our way back to the Pavilion.

We could sense the service day for Carson Circuit was winding down (one driver recognized us and said he was doing his last run to the Blue Line in case we wanted to ride back there). At this point we broke up--some taking MTA's 446/447 service south, other northward. While waiting for the bus one group spent some time in one of those 50's themed McDonald's which had as a decoration a classic jukebox were ironically was just for display.

And so ended our sojourn on the Compton and Carson transit systems. Lessons were few, but it was an enjoyable day had by all the participants.