Southern California Rapid Transit District ----111EdU)1111AY"

Volume 6, Number 8 August 1979 Regional core subway proposal moves one step closer to reality at public hearings

early a dozen rapid transit NORTH HOLLYWOOD The plan also received consider- proposals critical to ' able support from California Gov- future were discussed during a ernor Jerry Brown, whose recently series of RTD-sponsored public signed $1.8 billion, five-year mass hearings the second week in July. transit and alternative energy plan Federal, state, county and Los 18-MILE DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES- calls for construction of such a Angeles City officials, along with WILSHIRE-FAIRFAX-NORTH HOLLYWOOD system. members of the RTD Rapid Transit RAIL RAPID TRANSIT LINE "The RTD's preliminary analysis Engineering Department, have UNIVERSAL CITY indicates that local funding is now been involved for two years in a virtually assured," said Holen of study whose results were consi- HOLLYWOOD BOWL the energy bill. "Before it will supp- FRANKLINAVE. j STATION LOCATION dered during the hearings. HOLLYWOOD BLVD. ly Los Angeles with the 80 per cent Called a Transit Alternatives funding it has in other cities for SUNSET BIM

Analysis and Environmental Im- SANTA MONICA BLVD such a project, one of the prelimin- pact Statement, the report spells ary requirements of Washington is out 11 different plans including rail- the assurance of the 20 per cent bus and all-bus alternatives for im- VERLYBLVD. local funding match." proving mass transit in the Region- All interested citizens and civic al Core, the 55-square mile area UNION STATION groups have been encouraged to encompassing downtown Los comment on the 11 alternatives Angeles, the Wilshire area, Holly- WILSNIRE BLVD. presented at the hearings and CIVIC wood and North Hollywood. CENTER have been given until to

Last October, the RTD Board of ) 5114 4 do so. Directors gave preliminary en- BROADWAY In addition to the Board- dorsement to one of the alterna- DOWNTOWN endorsed plan are four proposals tives. That proposal calls for con- LOS ANGELES which call for some variation on the Miction of an 18-mile rapid transit IMMOMOMMIInnn 18-mile subway, generally dealing Wter line which would connect and civic leaders at the first hear- (owners of Universal Studios), Los with shorter routes (down to eight Union Station in downtown Los ing, held in the San Fernando Angeles Valley College in Van miles). Other alternatives call for Angeles and North Hollywood via a Valley. Nuys, and various civic organiza- an aerial busway along the same route beneath Wilshire Boulevard, Among those supporting the so- tions. route as the subway, reservation of Fairfax Avenue, the vicinity of the called Wilshire Corridor Subway "No tax increases or new tax the center lanes on Wilshire and Cahuenga Pass and terminating at were Los Angeles City Mayor Tom would be required to finance this on La Brea for buses only, one Lankershim and Chandler boule- Bradley, Councilwoman Pat Rus- plan, estimated to cost $1.2 billion reversible, median peak period ex- vards. sei, U.S. Congressman Barry in 1978 dollars," RTD Board Presi- press bus lane along Eighth and Considerable favorable support Goldwater, Jr., and spokesmen for dent Marvin Holen, who chaired was lent the District by city political the Music Corporation of America the hearings, told the gathering. (Continued from page 2)

Flamenco dancer gamers Ms. RTD title Antoinette Lopez of Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley, a profes- sional Flamenco and Spanish Classical dancer, has been named Ms. RTD for Summer of 1979. Lopez, who travels around Los Angeles via five RTD bus lines between work, school and leisure activities, will receive a monthly pass for each of the three months that she holds the title. The RTD passes are valued at approximately $150 and enable Antoinette to ride any of the District's more than 200 lines during her reign, which ends in September. The third RTD patron selected for the honor, Lopez will also receive a large photographic portrait of herself which will be displayed an some 1,500 buses traveling throughout the 185 cities and communities served by the District. A member of two dance troupes, Antoinette was one of the many RTD customers representing a cross section of Los Angeles area bus riders who submitted their applications in connection with the Ms. RTD contest. "I have lang been a supporter and user of the bus system," said Lopez. "However, I became even more aware of the convenient, inexpensive variety of services offered by RTD during the recent energy crisis. As a result of that experience, RTD has become my main source of transporta- tion." In addition to her professional pursuits, Lopez teaches dance classes in Santa Barbara an weekends and is also interested in sewing, reading, cooking and horseback riding. "Antoinette Lopez is another example of the fine, energy-conscious passengers who take RTD regularly," said RTD Board President Marvin L. Holen. "She is expected to make an excellent representative for the District during the summer months, because of her knowledge of the regular and special services RTD offers. lt is a pleasure to bestow the title of Ms. RTD of Summer 1979 upon her." Page 2 subway (Continued from page 1) Olympic or two exclusive curb bus lanes on Wilshire and La Brea. The other alternatives call for simply improving the present service in the Regional Core by use of high- capacity buses and increased ser- vice or simply sticking to the Status Quo and making no changes at all. Once the deadline for comments has past, the District will make writ- ten responses to all responsible comments made during the hear- ings or delivered to the District. Those responses will be combined with the study and will constitute the final Environmental Impact Statement. In September or October of this year, the Board of Directors will select one of the alternatives, with that choice subject to approval of LENDING SUPPORT—Los Angeles City Mayor transit alternatives in the city. Top-ranking local several local and regional planning Tom Bradley (far right) was the lead-off witness at government officials lent their support to a Board- agencies. the first of six public hearings dealing with rapid endorsed subway system.

Career success saluted As the saying goes, many are pin, has never had a missout Commendations called but few are chosen. And, and maintains a maximum of 60 each month,a panel of RTD em- merits. ployees must get together and And those are just her routine select those three employees accomplishments. (Editor's note: Quoted below was the patience and respect he who have distinguished them- Marie is the first female oper- are excerpts from just a few of the extended to the senior citizens selves from among the dozens ator to earn Employee of the hundreds of letters praising Dis- who rode with him. Setting this fine who are nominated. Month recognition since August trict operators received each example was perhaps his best Garnering Employee of the of 1976. The mother of one month by the Customer Relations quality." Month honors for May were daughter and grandmother to Department. Space simply does Ralph A. Bruno, Dale A. Simp- Telephone Information Operator three children, Mrs. Thompson not permit printing even a list of all son, Division 8: "During one of the Teresa Quijas, Division 15 oper- is the wife of recently retired operators receiving commenda- hottest periods of the day my car ator Marie Thompson and Divi- operator Biven Thompson, who tions. All such letters are reported stalled in a public driveway. I sion 18 mechanic Lisandro Mar- also worked out of the Sun Val- to the Operator by his division walked to the corner and called a tinez. ley operating division. Biven reiß manager, however, and a copy is repair place and two gas stations, Teresa is one of many infor- tired in January with an almosfw placed in the operator's personnel none of which could help me. Re- mation operators who have identical service record to file). turning to my car I saw two of your faced the tremendous task of Marie's. drivers and asked them to help me "I had handling the record number of Mechanic-A Lisandro Mar- Willie Gibson, Division 8: move my car to the side. They im- information requests the District tinez has worked for RTD since the privilege of being the first to mediately checked the car and got has been receiving daily in the January, 1974. He was selected board Mr. Gibson's bus and wit- it started for me. I must commend as Maintenance Employee of nessed from beginning to end, the wake of the gasoline shortage them for their courteous assist- and the resulting increase in the Month for a number of problems that faced the driver and ance." how he handled them in a profes- ridership. She has distinguished reasons. He is an outstanding Ernest Marshall, Division 1: mechanic and very helpful in sional and expedient manner. As herself as one of the more pro- "Being new to this state, I was ductive operators, maintaining training younger mechanics on the bus pulled up to each stop, he trying to figure out the bus routes dealt with kids trying to sneak on, an above average call count. trouble shooting coach prob- but could not get through to your To use the words of her su- lems and proper maintenance an aggravated man who wanted to 24-hour information line. I was in a pervisor, "Teresa is a conscien- procedures. fight, people asking for directions, restaurant and Mr. Marshall came three foreigners who really caught tious employee and a pleasure He has maintained an excel- in to have dinner. I asked him if he to work with." This marks Tere- lent attendance record, he is the wrong bus but asked about it could help me and he gave me the too late, an accident on the free- sa's second recognition as an punctual and his attitude is con- information I was seeking. I appre- dusive towards getting the job way which held up traffic for an outstanding employee since she ciated this very much." came to work for the District in done regardless of the time in- hour, teenagers acting up and then Earl Cobbs, Division 3: "The October, 1975. She was Infor- volved or the nature of the repair a young woman fainting and doubl- driver made three separate re- ing up in the aisle. Mr. Gibson kept mation Operator of the Month in needed. quests that a passenger turn his May, 1977. He has proven that he can the bus under control the entire radio down. After the third request Marie Thompson has been an accept leadership when it is time and presented himself as a with no response the driver stop- operator with the District for 28 given to him and all the men in person very much worthy of the ped at the next bus stop until the years and in that time has the division respect him be- utmost respect." situation was resolved. In these earned a 23-year safety award cause of his experience. Jim Shorters, Division 7: "In an times, it takes some degree of effort to promote the advantages of courage to speak out on behalf of rapid transit in a large city I recent- the majority of passengers against ly took my eighth grade class on a the one who is inconsiderate." rather long ride across town on the Joseph E. Wise, Division 3: "We RTD system .. I would like to tell are a few of the people whose you of one particular individual days are made brighter and hap- who definitely deserves a few extra words of praise. Jim Shorters is pier by riding the 430 bus each most unique in his friendly and morning with Captain Joe Wise. helpful treatment of RTD passen- Joe is not only a careful and skillful gers. In the half hour we traveled driver, but he is also a spreader of with him, he must have said wel- good cheer and is the best good- come aboard at least 100 times. lt will ambassador the RTD ever was a real lesson in psychology to had. We love him and want to see how his warm and open wel- nominate him for Driver of the come truly changed the faces of Year." (This letter was signed by the people boarding the bus and 22 people). getting off at their destination . . John L. Collins, Division 15: He spoke to every individual with a "Several of us transfer from the few welcome words or a conta- No. 20 line from Burbank and the connection is so close that it is gious smile. He called out every THE CHOSEN—Director Charles Storing (left) presents certificates stop and displayed driving cour- usually a toss up as to whether we will make it or not. Your kind driver to Marie Thompson, Teresa Quijas and Lisandro Martinez. Looking tesy on the road under some pretty on are Division 15 Transportation Manager George Marsala, Mana- difficult situations. Especially waited for us all to cross the streets, thereby starting our day off ger of Customer Relations Bob Williams and Division 2 Maintenance admirable — and something I hope Manager William Spencer. my 14 and 15 year olds noticed — (Please turn to page 5) Page 3

ENERGETIC RESPONSE Statistics reflect increasing use of RTD services Everyone is aware that the in- same period last year. creased demand put on the RTD in About the only thorn in RTD's the wake of the developing energy rosey picture was that, as the age shortage has resulted in increased of the fleet continues to increase, service on the part of the District the number of road calls for buses and its employees. with mechanical problems con- Well, now the statistics are start- tinues to rise. During the first quar- ing to roll in that show just how ter, mechanics made road calls on significant that increase has been. the average of every 1,838 miles, RTD's 2,600 buses rolled into compared to the first three nnonths service nearly 200,000 times in the of 1978 when road calls were five-county area served by the Dis- made every 2,005 miles. trict during the first three months of this year, a 6.6 per cent increase The District was also moving Itoer the same period last year. ahead in other directions with o for the first quarter of 1979, programs established in response istrict buses operated at an to the energy crisis. annual rate of 103.5 million miles. A new Customer Service Center However, first quarter ridership was opened in the San Fernando figures were completely oversha- Valley for the sale of monthly pas- dowed by the dramatic statistics ses and to provide free timetables, registered in May, at the height of maps, brochures and information. the gasoline shortage. For the 22 The new office — the seventh working days in May, average daily operated by the District — is lo- passenger boardings on RTD cated an the corner of Wyandotte buses totalled 1,370,000. During Street and Van Nuys Boulevard, at May, 1978, average daily board- the rear of Division 8. Two other ings were 1,100,000. Customer Service Centers are "The all-time one-day record planned for the South Bay area was set Monday, May 14, when we and South Central Los Angeles. recorded 1,470,000 boardings," "This is the first additional center announced RTD Board President we are opening as part of our prog- - Marvin Holen. "Just behind that ram to respond to the gasoline was the following Monday, May 21, shortage," explained Ruth Richter, which saw a count of 1,460,000." vice-president of the District's In other ridership counts for the Board of Directors, who represents month of May, El Monte Busway the area. use was up more than 25 per cent Bulk quantities of timetables and over the previous month. Park- maps are also being distributed and-Ride lines showed dramatic free of charge to Los Angeles increases throughout the service County home builders and de- area, as much as 30 to 40 per cent velopers. The program allows buil- jigher on some lines, according to ders and developers to request Wneral Manager Jack Gilstrap. large quantities of timetables and Downtown minibus usage in- area maps detailing all District ser- creased 18 per cent in May, while vices near their construction site, the District's Airport Express ser- thus providing new and potential vice carried 83,000 passengers to home buyers complete information Los Angeles International Airport, an that area's bus service. an increase of 22,000 over April's "Knowledge of a convenient, SCHOOL DAYS—Potential telephone information operators study total. economical way of getting to work the more than 200 RTD lines they will have to answer questions The Bus Express Employee and back, as well as around the about when they become PAX operators. Class is part of training Program (BEEP), RTD's commu- community for school, shopping program for the 25 authorized new PAX positions. ter service to the El Segundo and recreation, can be a key factor aerospace complex, more than tri- in the sale of a home or condomi- pled its usage, going from about nium," said Director Holen. "Many 6,000 in April to 21,000 riders in potential buyers are looking to May. public transportation as a way of Pass sales rose 20 per cent dur- cutting costs after buying a new Supervisor's actions ing the first quarter, with sales of home." discount passes to senior citizens Due to the deluge of calls com- and students up 22 per cent. (Dis- ing into the District's Telephone In- save operator's wife count pass sales account for 58 formation Center, which has made per cent of all passes sold). it impossible for some people to District operators can look with get through, Bus Information Division 8 operator Jay Stewart was extremely grateful that Super- pride to the only decrease reg- Teams were sent to five major visor W.F. Siedenburg was an duty the evening of July 5th. But not istered during the first three shopping centers in the greater for the reasons you might think. Stewart was not having mechanical months of 1979. Customer com- Los Angeles area. problems with a bus or being hassled by an unruly passenger. plaints recorded per million board- The teams assisted new pas- Siedenburg's actions an that post-holiday evening possibly saved ings continued to drop slightly, with sengers with free maps, timetables Stewart's wife from having to have her arm amputated. He just may received for every one million and other helpful literature to help have saved her life. Wardings. This compares to 24 them get around easily an our bus Shortly atter 8:30 p.m., Stewart, his wife and family were driving in per million received during the system. the family car. As they passed through the intersection at Sepulveda Boulevard and Plummer Street, another vehicle ran the red light, slamming into the Stewart car. Supervisor Siedenburg, who was an duty at the time, came upon the accident just after it occurred. Stewart recalls what happened from there. "If Supervisor Siedenburg had not gatten an ambulance and police an the scene as quickly as he did, my wife's right arm might have had to be amputated," he recalled in a letter commending Siedenburg's actions. "Thanks to his quick actions the flow of blood was restored at Panorama Memorial Hospital and she was later transferred to Kaiser Hospital, for stitches in her head, her arm placed in a cast and treatment of other cuts and bruises." Stewart said that he and his family are extremely appreciative of the professionalism and efficiency demonstrated by Siedenberg that night. "If more of us had (qualities like his) this world would be a much better place in which to live," Stewart wrote. To honor Siedenburg for his lack of apathy and concern for his fellow human beings, a special commendation award was presented to him an July 26 by the RTD Board of Directors. OPEN FOR BUSINESS—Melba Sarris, office manager of the San Fernando Valley Ticket Office, displays the new system maps avail- able at the District's seventh Customer Service Center along with free timetables, information and monthly pass sales. Page 4

lt was only two short lines in last month's Schedule Changes sec- tion of Headway. Only the most thorough reader would have noticed it unless he were looking for it, but it was an historic note nonetheless. lt read: "Ortiz, Audrey J., (divi- sion) 3203, from Op.X. Supv. of V.O. to Op.X. Supv. of V.O.X. Rad. Disp. (effective) 4-07-79." lt may have looked like alphabet soup, but it meant that Audrey J. Ortiz had become the first female radio dispatcher in RTD history. What might have been cause for a landmark celebration for some barely ruffled the blonde curls on Audrey's head. She has gotten used to setting such precedents by now. With a hint of impish humor in her eyes, Audrey recalls a time — not so long ago — when she was not so composed and self- confident about such matters. "lt dawned on me one day that here I was, 40 years old, I'd work- ed as a waitress all my life and I was going absolutely nowhere fast," she says. "I suppose I could FIRST LADY—Audrey Ortiz says she has had no ter, des pite being the first female to hold the posi- have continued to go downhill from problem fittina into the routine of the Dispatch cen- tion. there, but I decided to get gutsy." With a young daughter to raise and being separated from her hus- band, getting gutsy meant that Au- drey signed up at the Truckmaster Audrey Ortiz keeps on truckin' School of Trucking. Believe it or not, she learned to drive the big rigs. "My life had been very dull and down the road to success all of a sudden I found it very in- and went to work locally for Safe- The result is obvious. She has Boulevard with dozens of people teresting," she says matter-of- way Markets, driving one of their gone farther in her line than any sent to the hospital. Nothing that factly. big delivery trucks from store to woman to come before her and traumatic has happened over the store. Audrey was the first female she has broken new ground sever- airwaves as yet, she reports. driver to work for the nationwide al times. From Operator she went "Whatever job I have done, I al- 'I was 40 years old, supermarket chain. to Division Dispatcher at Division ways make sure I'm as good at it From there it was a relatively 3. She followed that up with a brief as I can possibly be," she says. "I had worked as a waitress simple move from hauling food to stint as a Staff Assistant but re- really like the work here, it's väht all my life and I was not hauling people when she joined calls, "I decided very quickly that interesting and I would like to gffl the District as an Operator in July of that was not where I wanted to be." far as possible in this office." going anywhere fast' 1975. Audrey operated for two So, she applied for and qualified While she does not have her years out of Division 3 in Highland for a supervisor's position, becom- eyes on any particular job, she Park and credits Assistant Trans- ing the first woman to do so with says, "Who knows what may open After "graduation" Audrey found portation Manager James Cin- RTD (there are now four women up?" herself making transcontinental derelli for inspiring her to climb the supervisors). After the mandatory Despite the inroads she has runs in a diesel rig for a national company ladder. one-year period, she opted to try made into a previously all-male do- trucking company, but this was not "I owe him a lot," she confesses. for the Radio Dispatcher's job. main, Audrey shies away from exactly compatible with being a "He constantly encouraged me to Audrey credits a great deal of thinking of herself as a feminist. mother. The cab of a truck is not try and better myself, to not be her success in the past and with "No, sir. I'm no women's libber," the best place to raise a child. content to stay a driver, but to get RTD to the fact that she is a she says with a big smile. "If a man So she decided to settle down on up the line as far as I could." woman . . . not because the times came along who could support my are right for women to make career daughter and 1 in the style to which strides, but because being a we've become accustomed, I'd woman has made her try harder at give up my job right now. I still want whatever she attempts. Her boss, Superintendent of Transportation Services Jeff Diehl, `If I can do the things agrees. "I really never had any doubts I have done, anyone can. that Audrey couldn't handle the job because she has always done well It's just a matter of at any of the positions she has held with the company. The reason we wanting to do them' never had a woman in this position before is that Audrey's the first one to qualify," Diehl explains, adding to be known as a woman anglak that Audrey went through the nor- mother and the guys here treatIfr mal promotion procedure for the as such." position. She finished second out Now 16 years old, her daughter of 10 applicants and that included is "very proud of her mom," Audrey convincing an Oral Review Board says. "When I first started working that she could do the job. as a Radio Dispatcher, she heard Then followed a six-week train- my voice come over a bus radio ing period to learn Central Dis- while she was riding to school. She patch Center operations. Since told me later she wanted to stand she has been on the job, Diehl up and teil everyone on the bus, says he can sum up her perform- `Hey, that's my mom?' " ance in one word, "Fantastic. She If she were to give any advice to possesses all the traits a radio dis- others it would probabiy be that patcher needs: patience, under- success is a matter of desire, of standing, a thorough knowledge of. wanting something and not being company rules and procedures, an content with the way things are. even temperament and the ability "If I can do the things I have to respond to stress situations." done," she says, "anyone can. It's Audrey says she has yet to en- just a matter of wanting to do counter anything in the way of them." stress to equal the first accident There are those who contend she was called upon to handle as a that life begins at 40 . .. or 50 . . . Supervisor of Vehicle Operations. Bus Radio Dispatcher Audrey Ortiz That situation involved a bus ver- is a perfect example that life be- sus auto collision on busy Wilshire gins when you want it to. Page 5

recognition

Retirement is both a happy and sad time as workers look forward to relaxing after long careers, yet must say good-bye to old friends they have toiled with for years, In July, eight District employees "shifted gears" into retirement as the Board of Directors honored them for their years of dedicated service to the transit industry. Director George Takei (left) pas- sed out commemorative plaques and congratulations to (front row, left to right) Buddy Sutton, 33 years, William D. Adkison, 34 years; Mac H. Baldridge, 32 years (back row, left to right) Joseph R. Pokorski, 33 years; and Richard J. Veeh, 38 years. Unable to attend the ceremony was Robert L. Joy, 21 years.

Commendations

(Please turn to page 2) David Burleston, Division 5: "I dropped my monthly bus pass an right. It's only a minute for him, but his bus. A passenger gave it to s ' there are very few who take the him. Due to the fact I have my t to remember that at that parti- identification card in my pass hol- cu ar stop there are nearly always der, he contacted me and was kind a couple people trying to get to enough to deliver my pass to my work on time." home. I am very grateful to him." j. W. Johnson, Jr., Division 7: Bonnie Burrell, Division 3: "I had "He called the streets at each bus occasion to ride the RTD after itt 1 stop. Most drivers da not render many years of traveling by car. this service so indispensable to the Having na knowledge of the bus blind traveler. As a blind bus rider, I route, I was extremely grateful for The gang's all here was further impressed by the care the unhesitating willingness and The RTD Board of Directors got together to present retiring Dis- he took to enumerate two and genuine sincerity of your Operator. trict Secretary Richard Kissick with a special board resolution com- three bus lines intersected by the She has won my respect and mending him for his 41 years of service. Joining Kissick, who offi- Melrose line at its major crossings. esteem, not only for herself, but for cially retires September 1, were (front row, lett to right) David Hay- I hope I ride with him again soon." RTD as well." ward, Gerald Leonard, Jay Price, Kissick, Michael Lewis, Marvin Bob Robinson, Division 18: "His Robert Hall, Division 15: "His Holen, (back row, left to right) George Takei, Charles Storing, Ruth patience and good humor has im- personality is taps, always cour- Richter, and Carl Meseck. Not shown were Don Gibbs and Thomas pressed many of his passengers, teous, pleasant but at the same Nuesom. The District Secretary is one of four positions appointed they express their gratitude and time tough when it comes to rules directly by the board. commend him an his very helpful and regulations of the company." manner. I have watched this for J. Eskiewicz, Jr., Division 8: "I several months and have myself have been riding RTD since 1971 been helped just by seeing there and I don't believe I have met a are people still in the world who are more helpful, polite and certainly AtOttr 130,1M genuinely charitable. lt has nothing conscientous driver. He knows his to da with job duty, his kindness passengers and keeps a watchful extends beyond this . . . I have eye at each stop for late comers. seen him patiently and courteously He is an excellent driver and gets liate a most irascible female us home on time." senger I would not even try to S. Williams, Division 6: "While in reason with. I have seen him take the process of directing one of the the time to try to find out where the passengers, he inadvertently pas- passengers want to go and direct sed the bus stop where an elderly them . . . Above all, his patience woman wished to get off. When and good humor stands out. made aware of this, he immediate- Seeing his acts of kindness cer- ly stopped the bus, got off and tainly helped to restore my confi- assisted this senior citizen back to dence in the human race. her desired stop." David L. Weed, Division 7: "This Cleophus Hicks, Division 2: "I driver seems to be extraordinairly boarded the number 7 bus an concerned with the safety and RAJU 4.4 Spring for Glendale. Since it was 4. comfort of his passengers. He my first trip out that way, I was 044 JauKt makes every effort to be courteous uncertain as how to reach my des- and helpful in giving directions, ex- tination. The driver was very cour- plaining transfer points and so an. teous and very informative. I He also shows great concern for learned that I could ride the 436 the elderly, wornen with babies or bus which is much closer to my small children, the handicapped home and would get me within one Four-in-one fete and passengers with !arge pack- block of where I was going." A four-in-one-celebration was held recently at Division 12 in Long ages. Likewise, he does not hesi- Rudy Walker, Division 2: "He is Beach to honor a quartet of that division's operators who were shifting tate to enforce the rules regarding a very safe driver, even in the gears into retirement. Division Trans portation Manager Ralph Costello na smoking or drinking an the bus, thickest traffic. He is a very helpful, (center) joined other division employees in congratulating (front row, or any other act that is unlawful or courteous and polite driver. He second from left) Harold Naughton, Leonard V. Shackell, Robert Joy and unbecoming. He impresses me." needs a big pat an the back." Elbert Beesley. Next to Beesley is his wife, Betty. Page 6

BRIDGING THE GAP Program offers students look at real world Helping bridge the gap between luation of Smith's activities. position she will be responsible for sequent groups of interns will be academic and practical experi- Throughout the program, Jac- all facets of safety education, train- more involved in daily operations. ence, the RTD Safety Department quie took part in the full realm of ing and investigation. Set to start in September, the next participated in a Safety lnternship functions performed by members "I'd like to thank all the members group may have as many as three Program with the University of of the District Safety Department, of the Safety Department for help- interns. Southern California. including inspections, interviews, ing me in this program," said "I see this as a reciprocating Jacquie Smith, who recently re- and investigations," explained Smith. "They devoted a lot of their program," explained Reyes. "We ceived her Bachelor of Science de- Director of Safety Joe Reyes. time and gave me a lot of encour- get people interested in safety to gree in safety from USC, earned Reyes was instrumental in coordi- agement. Through programs like help us with numerous assign- course credit for on-the-job training nating the establishment of the this, RTD is not only contributing to ments, and they gain insights to with the RTD safety staff. program with USC. the shaping of future safety profes- the real world experience of a safe- During the program, close moni- The insights Smith gained sionals, but also to the world of ty practitioner. toring of work progress was main- through her internship paid off as safety." "lt continues RTD's philosophy tained by the university's Safety she has now accepted a position While this first program was con- of contributing to the growing safe- Department Chairman Dr. Ted with IBM in San Jose, California, ducted mostly on evenings and ty movement by helping to train Ferry. This included worksite eva- as a Safety Inspector. In her new weekends, Reyes noted that sub- future safety Professionals."

GETTING TO KNOW YOU—Safety Department intern Jacquie Smith ROUND AND ROUND SHE GOES—Ted Hustava explains Operation (second from left) enjoys an informal meeting with Director of Safety of a brake lathe to Jacquie Smith during a safety ins pection at the Joe Reyes (from left), Safety Specialist John Brewer and Division 9 Division 9 maintenance facility. Assistant Maintenance Manager Ted Hustava. rClassified David Dominguez assumes. board, frame and chest with • Lot for sale near Crest- mirrors. Brand new. $550. line in the San Gabriel Moun- Call between 8 a.m. and 8 post as Manager of EEO tains. More than 10,000 p.m. (213) 295-6730. square feet, zoned residen- • Conn. Organ, good con- David Dominguez has joined the ness Enterprise participation in tial. Call Jim Smart, (213) dition, Mapel. Birdsey. $300. Executive Staff of the Southern District procurement. 376-5465. Call anytime (213) 255-9164. California Rapid Transit District as Prior to joining the District, • Contemporary buffet and • 1976 Cadillac Seville, manager of RTD's Equal Employ- Dominguez was the Affirmative dinette set for sale. Good two-tone Burgundy Maroon ment Opportunities (EEO) Office. Action Administrator for Blue condition. $100. Call LeRoy with Rolls Royce grill, true At the RTD, Dominguez will be Cross and the EEO Regional Rep- Carlson at (213) 842-7087. spoke classic wire wheels, responsible for ensuring the Dis- resentative for the Kaiser- • 1970 Valiant brand new tires, stereo unit trict is in compliance with EEO reg- Permanente Medical Care prog- with new engine, transmis- valued at $1,500. Like brand ulations relating to nondiscrimina- ram in Southern California. sion, brakes and battery. new, immaculate. Asking tory practices affecting employ- Dominguez is a graduate of $1,250. 1974 Cadiallac SDV, $12,000, or make offer. Must ment regardless of race, creed, California State College at Long Excellent condition. $2,800. sell! Call 268-0226. color, sex, age, national origin or Beach and has earned a master's Cal! Abdul S. Chawdhry be- • 1953 Ford Pick-up with disability. degree in urban studies from tween 9 am. and 2 p.m. at rebuilt Lincoln engine and In addition he is responsible for Occidental College and in Public (213) 705-4868. transmission, positraction the District's compliance with reg- Administration from the University • New 19-foot family ski rear end (Chevy), brand new ulations affecting Minority Busi- of Southern California. boat with blue-painted 460 TA-50s low profile Goodrich Ford, Panther Jet and com- radials and rims, interior petitive tandem axle trailer. done, customized grill with $7,995. Call between 4-10 double headlights. Must see p.m., (213) 861-2959. to appreciate. Asking $4,000 • Complete bedroom set or make offer. Must sell. 268- including mattress, head- 0226.

Best bargain in town!

St. Bernard puppies in need of a good home? A 1965 Chevrolet being replaced by a newer model? A four-poster bed tucked away in the garage? Whatever you want to sell, trade or give away, let fellow RTD employees have the first chance and advertise it in Headway at no cost. Just fill out the coupon below and return it to Headway, RTD, 6th Floor, 425 So. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90013. (Please include home telephone numbers only.)

Name: Work location: Description of item:

Price: Hours to call: Area code: Telephone no.: ON THE JOB—New Manager of EEO office David Dominguez (sea-

La t111111 MIO ted) goes over some reports with representative Roger Rose.

Page 7 MAKInG HERDWAY Victor Muniz, a representative July. Mother and baby are doing John Brazzle, the quiet man, of the Stops and Zones Depart- fine and from the same anony- In case you've ever wondered really was there. Bill Kovach ment, has had his mind on Capi- mous poet: what goes on on a fishing boat, never left the bow. Epi Ramirez tol Hill in Washington, D.C., a lot The glowing Ruby should we have this report filed by John (23 fish) paid for his boss' lunch. lately. adorn King from the San Clemente Is- Lester Heffler outfished his dad. No, Munitz is not considering Those who in warm July are land Fishing Trip. Some 49 of Someone thought they saw Lee giving up his career in public born, the 50 scheduled to go showed Cayen using a shotgun to hunt transportation after 32 years to Then will they be exempt and up for the overnight jaunt. King for fish. seek a political office. He has free reports he saw Pat Kelly using Louis Carreon won the Jack- been thinking about his 20-year- From love's doubt and night crawlers, Carl Johnson pot Prize for the largest top fish, old daughter, Katharyn, who is anxiety. was fasting, he never left the while Thomas Edwards won the working in the nation's capitol as galley. Frank Larson could only honors for the biggest bottom part of an eight-week internship Lewis H. Ellis, a Supervisor of get one bunk. Marty Martinez dwelling fish. The general con- with Congressman Wayne Vehicle Operations for the Dis- was chumming at 3 am. Walter sensus, King reports, was let's Grisham of the 33rd District trict, knows the meaning of hard Whiteside had three poles but do it again! (By the way, if any- (which includes La Mirada work and perseverance. Lewis caught 27 fish. Paul Tassone one is missing a tackle box, call where the Muniz family resides). recently received his Bachelor lost an Anchovy in his beard. John at ext. 6253). Kathy, a senior at the Univer- of Science degree in Public sity of California, Los Angeles Administration from California majoring in political science, State University, Dominguez was one of 60 students selected Hills. Concentrating on Adminis- to participate in a government trative Management and Public internship program sponsored Personnel Administration, Ellis by UCLA. spent four years attending clas- According to father Victor, ses during the day while working Kathy was looking forward to nights as a supervisor. observing the political world fir- "In between every spare mo- sthand and was especially in- ment was filled with studying," terested in seeing how govern- says Ellis, who believes that the ment functions. The internship person best suited for any posi- began in mid-June. tion is the person who knows "I want to try and apply what how to learn. "More and more, I've learned in class to what companies are looking for peo- really happens in government," ple with intelligence and prob- she told a reporter for a local lem-solving ability, people who LOUIS CARREON THOMAS EDWARDS newspaper. She said she also are dependable and work well hoped to work with complaints with others." from the people who live in the Ellis joined the District as an Employee Name. 33rd congressional district be- Operator in July of 1959. In Badge No.: Work Location• cause, "it's nny home and I think March of 1965 he was promoted Home Phone: Work Phone - I know it best." to Operator Extra Supervisor of Event. Victor said his daughter's in- Vehicle Operation and has Date Occurred: Place. terest in politics had grown since worked in his present capacity Other Facts. she worked on a campaign dur- since July, 1967. ing a local election. He said In obtaining his education, Kathy's hopeful this experience Lewis took advantage of the in Washington will help her de- District's tuition reimbursement "Making Headway" is designed to publicize news about your termine if politics is the career program when possible to cover personal achievements and those of your family, whether it she wants to pursue. the costs of books, materials concerns births, graduations, anniversaries, retirements, spe- and tuition. cial awards or other such accomplishments. Please use this "I am very grateful for the help card to forward any such news to David Himmel, Headway and support," Ellis says. "I feel Editor, 6th Floor, 425 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90013. that I have accomplished Or, simply submit your announcement via company mail to another long-awaited goal in my Headway Editor (House Organ Editor), Location 32. If you send life and this degree reflects my photographs, black-and-white is preferred. determination to succeed."

KATHY, VIC MUNIZ

Director of Safety Joe Reyes and his wife, Rose, will have lit- tle trouble remembering the date of June 19. That's the day their first child was born. Promp- tly named Roslyn Nicole, the child was born at 6:30 p.m., weighed 71/2 pounds and was 191/2 inches long. As a June baby, the following is dedicated to her from an anonymous poet: Who comes with summer to this earth 1.' And owes to June her day of birth The safe performance award program, now entering its fourth year, With ring of Agate on her has helped reduce the system-wide fleet accident rate from 12,000- hand miles-between-accidents in 1976 to the present 14,000-miles-between- Can health, wealth and long accidents. Winners of the First Quarter 1979 Safe Performance Award life command. Safety were Division 8 Transportation, which had a 16 per cent improvement in its miles between accidents from 16,000 to 19,000; and Division 12 Maintenance, where employees went 15,000 hours with only one lost- Division 3 operator Robin prone time injury. Pictured here accepting the awards from Director of Safety Sands is celebrating the arrival Joe Reyes (left) and Director Jay Price are John Adams, Assistant of his second son, Bryan Arthur, Trans portation Manager at Division 8; and Milton Spencer, who accepted born the day after the Fourth of the award on behalf of Division 12's Floyd Hughes. Page 8 Maynard Z. Walters takes rens of Purchasing Dept. Maynard Z. Walters, 41, has ceded by 10 years in the United been appointed Director of Pur- States Air Force as an lntercept chasing and Stores for the South- Weapons Controller. He attained ern California Rapid Transit Dis- the rank of Major and is a member trict. The position is under the gen- of the Air Force Reserve. eral administrative direction of Married to his wife, Caroline, for Controller-Treasurer-Auditor Joe 17 years, Walters has two children: Scatchard. a daughter, Lee, 12; and a son, Walters comes to the District Christopher, 6. from the Samsonite Corporation, His duties with the District will where he was Manager of Pur- include purchasing all equipment chasing and Transportation in the and commodities for the company Softside Luggage Division at the and managing all the stores. company's Tucson, Arizona, head- A graduate of the College of Wil- quarters. He joined them in 1973. liam and Mary, Walters has a mas- Prior to that he was a purchas- ter's degree in Management from ing agent with International Tele- the University of Southern phone and Telegraph (ITT), pre- fornia.

RTD SOFTBALL LEAGUE STANDINGS (As of July 15, 1979) WL Division 9-operators 5-0 Division 6 4-0 Division 5 4-1 Headquarters 3-1 Division 2 3-2 Division 12 3-2 Division 7 1-4 1-4 MAYNARD Z WALTERS Division 18 Division 1 0-5 Division 9-mechanics 0-5 Week 1 HQ def. 18, 6-5 9-ops def. HO, 13-5 2 def. 7, 6-4 Schedule Changes 12 def. 9-mech, 20-1 6 def. 9-mech, 14-0 5 def. 7, 13-8 Week 4 2 def. 1,4-3 9-ops def. 2, 4-1 Moving Up 12 def. 18, 11-9 6 def. 18, 8-6 Week 2 HQ def. 12, 6-5 Div./ 9-ops def. 12, 7-0 5 def. 9-mech, forfeit Name Dept. Classification Date 6 def. 2, 9-2 7 def. 1,12-5 Cale, Douglas R. 3202 Operator to Op. Ex. Div. Disp. 5/20/79 5 def. 1, 11-9 Week 5 HQ def. 7,11-1 9-ops def. 1, 12-2 Fredrick, William 7300 Jr. Stlk Clk. to Trk. Dr. 5/01/79 • Clk. Rel. 18 def. 9-mech, 11-2 5 def. 18, 10-2 Week 3 12 def. 7, 12-8 Shibata, Kenneth W. 3306 Shipping Clk. to Equip. Rec. Spec. 4/30/79 9-ops def. 5, 7-5 2 def. 9-mech, 11-0 6 def. 1, nsa HO vs. 6, postponed Vivian, Darrell D. 3208 Operator to Op. Ex. Div. Disp. 5/20/79 Shifting Gears

Div./ Name Dept. Classification Hired Retired Airhart, Robert 3203 Operator 5/26/57 6/02/79 Bradford, L.D. 3305 Utilit A 1/04/46 6/02/79 Chevlin, Sydney 3209 Operator 5/20/42 6/17/79 Felan, Rudy 3203 Operator 8/17/59 6/02/79 Fitzpatrick, Henry J. 3298 Radio Dispatcher 5/06/47 6/10/79 Frey, Lowell W. 3205 Operator 4/30/42 6/01/79 Horton, Roy 3209 Operator 9/29/58 6/29/79 Jensen, Lars Dale 3215 Operator 1/22/58 6/05/79 Keith, Alfred V. 3314 Mechanic "A" 3/27/50 6/02/79 Langlois, Dorothy Mae 6200 Senior Interviewer 10/07/466/02/79 Larson, Lyman W. 3201 Operator 6/08/48 6/13/79 Lubak, John J. 3209 Operator 10/29/476/02/79 Montgomery, Thomas 3209 Operator 2/04/43 6/04/79 Schardijn, Leonard 3302 Equipment Maintenance 9/21/59 5/20/79 Supervisor 1 Stanley, Earl W. 7300 Director of Purchasing & 4/01/41 6/02/79 Stores Swanson. Stanley C. 3208 Operator 4/08/47 6/02/79 Thomas, Ronald L. 3208 Operator 8/05/67 5/16/79 Ward, Alexander 3302 Utility A 8/13/52 6/02/79 Wildish, Eva M. 4445 Ticket Office & Reports Clerk 3/27/61 6/27/79 Williams, Raymond P. 3209 Operator 8/04/66 5/19/79 In Memoriam Div./ Name Dept. Classification Deceased Sunday, September 16 4 p.m. to midnight Carlisle, Millard 3314 Former Watchman-Retired 6/07/79 Admission to Disneyland and Franchin, Leo 3207 Former Operator 5/31/79 unlimited use of all attractions Fisher, Michael 3221 Former Traffic Loader- 6/08/79 (shooting galleries excepted) in- Retired 8/2/78 cluding dancing, entertainment, Frye, Vernie 3206 Former Operator 5/27/79 bands, shows, free parking. Retired 8/3/62 Tickets: Galindo, Susan 3203 Operator 6/15/79 $5.00 for RTD employees & family $5.75 for guests Jackson, Henry 3302 Utilit "A" - Transferred 5/28/79 (Children 2 years and under free) to Ind. Lve. 4/29/79 Contact the Recreation Department at Ext. 6580. Losey, Ralph E. 3209 Former Operator - Retired 6/07/79 1/6/79 Page 9 Third Annual RTD Employee Picnic

A new date, a new location and lots of new things to do guarantees (bring your own equipment) and hiking trails abound in the area. that the Third Annual RTD Employee Picnic will be the biggest and —Parking space is available for more than 1,000 cars and free bus best ever sponsored by the District's Recreation Department. service will be provided from most of the divisions. This year's get-together will be held at Soledad Sands Park, a Of course, there are certain rules that must be obeyed, but they 30-acre oasis situated in smog-free Soledad Canyon near the town are simple. The park allows absolutely no hard liquor of any kind, no of Acton, north of Los Angeles. The park, especially designed to glass bottles, no pets and no cars or trucks on the lawn. accomodate company, church and club picnics, is in the midst of a The park is located a significant distance from Los Angeles, but it 600-acre ranch and features 10 acres of lawn for picnicking in the is the minimum distance needed to escape the smog and congestion shade of giant Cottonwood trees. of the city. Where the demand is sufficient to justify their use, buses Other features the park offers to District employees and their will leave the District's various operating divisions at approximately 9 families include a half-acre swimming pool, a wading Pool that mean- a.m. the day of the picnic. If you drive, take the San Diego or Golden ders stream-like through the picnic area, games, a .7-mile miniature State Freeways north to Highway 14 (the Antelope Valley Freeway). railroad ride, restrooms and virtually everything you need for a day of Get off at Crown Valley Road in Action and its four miles to Soledad family fun. Sands Park. And that, of course, includes food. RTD Employee Activities Coordinator Diane Delaney has RTD EMPLOYEE PICNIC TICKET ORDER FORM arranged for a menu that will include BBQ chicken, BBQ ribs, corn- on-the-cob, potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, potato chips, Name: Badge• W pickles, rolls and butter and lemonade. Ticket prices for the day-long event are $3.50 for adults and $2 for Work Location• children five to 10 years old. Children under five are admitted free. Home Address There will be no admittance to the park without a ticket and tickets will not be sold at the gate, Delaney explained. Home Phone. "The District picnic is the Recreation Department's most heavily subsidized event of the year," said Delaney. "Because of this, only I plan to ride a bus from Division RTD employees, retirees and their immediate family are included. Please send me: The only exception to this is for single employees, who are allowed to bring a companion." Adult tickets @ $3.50 each. Total$ In addition to the food, the ticket price includes use of such park facilities as: Childs tickets @ $2 each. Total $ — A 125- by 225-foot filtered swimming pool that ranges in depth Enclosed Total$ from two to nine feet. There is a one-meter diving board and a twelve foot high slide in the deep and and a six-foot high slide in the shallow DO NOT SEND CASH! Make check or money order pay- end. Lifeguards are on duty. able to RTD. Send to Recreation Department, Location 32, —More than 300 picnic tables scattered over the park's 10-acre lawn, mostly in the shade of Cottonwoods. Barbecues are available via company mail or to Diane Delaney, 425 S. Main Street, for free use, but you may bring your own if you wish. —No picnic would be complete without games and District em- Los Angeles, 90013. Tickets are also available directly ployees can enjoy horseshoes or volleyball on special courts with from Betty Sconce in the Employee Relations Department, equipment available for no extra charge. For kids of all ages there are life-sized fire engines, fishing boats, slides, swings, sandboxes, a 6th Floor of headquarters building. moon bounce and wading pools. There are two baseball diamonds Page 10

65 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH MCL buys ARTS for $150,000 (Editor's note: This is the first in an occa- Bellflower and Watts lines. As Metro presi- closer the day when the passenger volume sional series of articles looking back at the dent Jerry L. Haugh told the commission, on the lines cannot justify an attractive ser- top stories of a quarter century ago in the "The savings is very substantial and will help vice. In this regard, it is later than some Los Angeles transit industry). materially in providing the riding public with a think." The top story for public transportation in modern type of equipment, more frequent In other news of the month, O.A. Smith, Los Angeles during August, 1954, was the schedules and, in general, a greatly im- under whose guidance the iron wheels of the acquisition of the Glendale-based Asbury proved service." Pacific Electric passenger system began to Rapid Transit System (ARTS) by Metropoli- Because of the loss of a private right of turn into rubber tires to keep pace with the tan Coach Lines (MCL) for $150,000. The way, due to surface streets crossing surface times, retired as President of Pacific Electric transfer of assets took place August 3 at tracks, the speed of the interurban trains was Railway and Assistant to the President of the Metro's headquarters, 610 S. Main Street, slowed to the point where buses were faster Southern Pacific Company. Los Angeles. and provided better service. Elsewhere, in modernizing MCL opera- MCL, just under one-year-old at the time, At the same time, Metropolitan Coach tions, a pilot program was begun to have added ARTS' 17 routes, 140 route miles and Lines joined with the city's other major car- paychecks processed by IBM tabulating 98 coaches to its growing fleet of 814 rier, Los Angeles Transit Lines, to request machines instead of regular check-writinga coaches and 2,000 employees. All 140 authority from CPUC for a two-cent increase machines. Also, manually operated PBX' ARTS employees remained on their jobs in Los Angeles local zone fares. Both prop- switchboards were replaced with an in- with the exception of general officers. erties filed a joint application asking for a house direct dial system so employees could One of the higher-ranking Asbury em- raise from 15 to 17 cents and a boost from make calls to each other without going ployees who continued at his job was ARTS' five to six cents for each additional fare zone. through a switchboard Operator. Assistant Manager of Operations John S. The application was filed jointly because of Finally, in an article by Stuart Mill Bate, Wilkens, presently RTD's Manager of Em- joint fare and transfer arrangements be- Chief Engineer of the Los Angeles Metropoli- ployee Relations. tween the two agencies. tan Traffic Association, it was suggested that Among the benefits of MCL's acquisition of On , MCL president Haugh told "express bus service on freeways was the Asbury Lines was the important factor of "im- a Citizens Traffic and Transit Committee logical answer to the automobile-created proving service in the rapidly growing San meeting in Mayor Norris Poulson's office, "By traffic conditions of the foreseeable future." Fernando Valley, scene of its principal Oper- making the change to buses (from street ations." cars) now while there is a sufficient number In other stories that month, Metro's prog- of passengers available to justify an attrac- (Source: Metro politan Coach News, pub- ram for improved transportation was in the tive service, we are certain that the down- lished bi-monthly by Metropolitan Coach spotlight at California Public Utilities Com- trend in traffic volume can be checked or at Lines for employees and their families. mission hearings to study the proposed least retarded. Any extended delay in mak- Volume 1, Number 5. W. Warren Silliman, changeover from street car to motor coach ing the proposed change will have the effect Jr., editor. Room 617, Pacific Electric Build- operations on the Long Beach, San Pedro, of further depleting the service and bringing ing, 610 South Main Street, L.A.).

Who gets it? Who gets what in the event of your death? Several death%„, have occurred recentle among District employees and retirees with the desig- nated beneficiary either de- ceased, divorced or unable to be found. Long court battles and sub- stantial delays in the payment of the claim can result if the designation of beneficiary is not up to date. Have you checked the be- neficiary designation on your group life insurance lately? Call Lucille Torres in the Per- sonnel Department, extension 6381, for further information. Hotline If you have a question, sug- gestion or constructive critic- ism about District operations that you want to express Galt Kiuchi, a junior at Art Center College of Design, proudly displays directly to management, the the $1,000 first prize check in front of her winning entry in the First Annual Employee Hotline may be just Her Transit Advertising Design Competition. Co-sponsored by RTD and Tran- the thing for you. sit Ads, Inc., the contest theme was to show "Benefits of using public The number to call is 972- /II transit." Ms. Kiuchi's design has been applied to the sides of 15 District 6683. You leave a recorded -19 best foot buses and will be displayed for the remainder of the summer. The message and, while identify- contest was judged by a panel of advertising and marketing executives ing yourself is not required, from such companies as Pepsi-Cola, Watt Disney Enterprises, Continen- you want a reply to your ques- forward tal Airlines, Denny's Restaurants, Atlantic Richfield Corporation and in- tion or suggestion you leave cluded RTD Manager of Planning and Marketing George McDonald. your name and work location.

Southern California Rapid Transit District

425 So. Main St., 6th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013 BULK RATE U.S POSTAGE Published monthly for the employees PAID and retirees of the Southern California Rapid Transit District. Los Angeles, Ca Permit No. 32705 Editorial input and suggestions welcome. Deadline for receipt of editorial copy is the 14th of each month. Send black-and-white photographs on- iy, please. Requests for photographic coverage of District events must be preceded by 72 hours notice. Mailing address: Headway, 6th Floor, 425 South Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Telephone: 213-972-6680. David Himmel, Editor