Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In

Over the past weekend, the city Transportation Department (LADOT) installed 1.3 miles of new bus lane on Olive Street through much of downtown Los Angeles. The new bus lane is part of a collaboration between LADOT and Metro that produced recent new bus lanes on Flower Street, 5th and 6th Streets, Aliso Street, and Alvarado Street - with more coming soon on Grand Avenue, La Brea Avenue, and more of Alvarado Street.

For background on how the Olive Street bus lane came about, see earlier SBLA coverage from September, and from 2020.

The nearly-completed new bus lane is located on Olive from Pico Boulevard to 2nd Street. It is the northbound half of a planned couplet that will soon also include a southbound bus lane on Grand Avenue. Per Metro's The Source, the Grand Avenue bus lane will be installed this Saturday, November 13.

According to Metro, Grand and Olive currently see 60 buses per hour at peak times. These streets carry many Metro lines - including the J (Silver) Line Bus Rapid Transit - plus LADOT DASH and other municipal buses.

Olive/Grand bus lane couplet map - via Metro
Olive/Grand bus lane couplet map - via Metro
false

The Olive (and soon Grand) bus lane operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

Below are photos of the new bus lanes - taken yesterday afternoon.

xxx
New northbound bus-only lane on Olive Street
false
xxx
New Olive Street bus lane signage notes that the lanes are for BUS/BIKE ONLY between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. (Note that this is the more bike-affirmative signage installed on Cesar Chavez Avenue - not the older "bikes OK" version recently installed on Alvarado Street)
false
xxxx
The new Olive Street bus lane is nearly complete, though in a couple spots some additional markings still need to be installed
false
One of the saddest signs: BUS LANE ENDS - on Olive at 2nd Street
One of the saddest signs: BUS LANE ENDS - on Olive at 2nd Street
false

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Tuesday’s Headlines

A lot of CA v Trump news, but there's plenty going on in cities (and ports!) throughout the state.

September 23, 2025

Our Streets Look Like War Zones — But What if They Were ‘Sites of Peacebuilding’ Instead?

A peace and conflict studies scholar weighs in on what car culture has in common with global conflicts — and why we need to confront violence on our roads if we want to end violence around the globe.

September 23, 2025

There’s Good Science Behind the Human Craving for Livable Streets

It's time to understanding the science of pedestrian-friendly cities. Or, why streets should be designed like gardens.

September 22, 2025

Caltrain Celebrates Electric Train Anniversary as Gov. Signs Bill for More

Gavin Newsom's signature on "Cap-and-Invest" means there will be even more rail electrification in the future.

September 22, 2025

StreetSmart Ep10: Zack Deutsch-Gross and the 2025 Legislative Session

A look back at the session, and forward at the state of advocacy.

September 22, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Culver City Robertson Improvements Under Construction

Culver City is nearly done transforming one long block of Robertson Boulevard to be a safe bike/walk/transit first/last mile connection to the Metro E Line Station.

September 22, 2025
See all posts