By Jung Gatoona

Since writing a story about the confusing entrance and exit paths of the new Little Tokyo / Arts District station for the Gold Line's Eastside Extension [click here to view], much has happened since. Yes, Metro has actually taken steps to fix the problem, and it took less time than I predicted.

Yes, fellow readers, it's a beautiful moment when a large agency such as Metro actually takes the time to follow up and act on a complaint. But, to have gotten to this point, it took tremendous amounts of time and energy.

When I first realized the problematic situation at Little Tokyo station, I immediately took pictures and headed over to Metro headquarters at One Gate Plaza to file a complaint at the Customer Service office. After waiting for nearly an hour at the office, I was able to have someone finally come and document my complaint to have it sent up to someone up at management. In time, I finished explaining the situation to a Metro employee, who by the way did not even know the Little Tokyo Station existed. The lady told me I was the only one to file such a complaint, and began to explain that it was highly unlikely that someone would contact me back. So I took her word, and left feeling as if I accomplished nothing.

However, I did not give up. I decided to vent my concern on this blog, and thanks to Fred Camino, blogger at Metro's The Source, it was featured on Metro's blog and received public attention. Two days later, I received a call. It was Metro. A man by the name of Mr. Moore, who claimed to be in charge of the Metro Gold Line, had contacted me back to discuss some of the safety issues regarding the Little Tokyo station. During the half hour phone conversation, I outlined to him the things that needed to be changed, and emailed him the URL to my story on plus Metro. After receiving the email, he proceeded to go over with me, in detail, on my suggestions for fixing the station's horrid design through visual aids.

He liked the idea of coloring the swinging gates to differentiate them from the fences, and adding an arrow to the doors and gates to lead people to the correct path. Adding graphics of footsteps though, he argued against, noting that this would never pass Metro's "design department." After a few more exchange of words, he thanked me for the link and offered to help by showing the story on my blog to other Metro employees, so that they can assess on what needs to changed.

And, by golly. After bombarding Mr. Moore, and other Metro employees and community activists with my concern for the two months after that initial phone conversation, they listened and acted.

Added visual signs pointing to the correct exit path.

Colored the swinging gates and added entrance signs.

Colored the swinging gates and added exit signs.

Illustration & Photo | Jung Gatoona