Rapid Transit District

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Volume 7, Number 2 February 1980 Lack of LACTC funds could mean fare eincrease, service cuts GM teils board The RTD Board of Directors has tax funding sources or consider his or her trip on a brand new piece of the planned improvements, but called for a joint meeting with the raising fares, cutting service or a of equipment." it's apparent that we'll have to put Los Angeles County Transporta- combination. Presently, the average age of an in improvements over a period of tion Commission (LACTC) to dis- "While we would be extremely RTD bus is 13 years, with many years rather than all at once this cuss additional funding needed to reluctant to have to take any steps more than a quarter of a century fall as we had hoped," Gilstrap avert a possible bus fare increase, towards raising fares or cutting old. Gilstrap said that the new bus- said. which, if implemented, would be service, it is of paramount impor- es will begin arriving in April of this "I think the saddest fact is that the second within a six-month peri- tance that the financial integrity of year (230 buses ordered from here we are in Los Angeles, the od. the RTD must be maintained," said Grumman-Flxible), while this fall third largest transit carrier in the The board took the action Janu- board President Marvin Holen. of an order of 940 (the nation, contemplating service cuts ary 10 following presentation of the During his report, Gilstrap largest ever placed by a U.S. and more fare increases in the annual State of the District report pointed out that even if it should be transit agency) will be delivered. face of growing public demand for by General Manager Jack R. necessary to raise fares later this service as the energy situation Gilstrap. year, the quality of an RTD bus Gilstrap told the board that an- worsens," the General Manager ride will improve. other aspect of the current finan- said. Citing a January 9 decision by "By spring of 1981, we are cial situation, regardless of wheth- LACTC to supply the District with scheduled to have 1,190 new bus- er fares are increased or the Gilstrap told the meeting that the $3.3 million in additional funds es on the streets," Gilstrap said. LACTC provides additional funds, District should be implementing from state sales tax revenues rath- "Since our current bus fleet during is the postponement of several new programs such as expanded er than the $5.2 million RTD re- rush hours numbers about 2,000, major bus improvements that had local service and additional park- quested, Gilstrap said the board that means the rider will have bet- been scheduled for later this year. and-ride facilities instead of look- would either have to find additional ter than a 50/50 chance of making "We will try to implement some ing at ways to reduce service. *ARGEST BUS ORDER EVER! General Motors gets contract for 940 buses

In what was greeted as the Cost of the total contract will be grant authorized for the District. of rail cars or airplanes, is similar largest bus order ever made by a nearly $147 million or $141,280 To supply the 20 per cent local to a mortgage, with the equipment single transit agency in the United per bus. matching funds required by the purchased used to secure the States, the RTD Board of Directors Eighty per cent of the funding for Federal government, the District loan. awarded a contract for 940 Ad- the order will be provided by the sold Equipment Trust Certificates Only two bids were received by vanced Design Buses to the low- Urban Mass Transportation Ad- by sealed bid to Investment firms. the District on the 940-bus order. est bidder, General Motors Corpo- ministration as part of a previously This unique funding method, previ- (Please turn to page 3) ration. approved 1,200 bus procurement ously used mainly for the purchase Signs point the way for Valley riders

The RTD's new four-sided bus stop information sign was unveiled January 9 by Mayor Tom Bradley and RTD officials before a gather- ing of civic leaders in Van Nuys. The new signs, to be tested in the Valley, include a route map and bus line service information, dra- matically increasing their useful- ness to riders. The San Fernando Valley is the first region to receive the new bus stop signs, but eventually new signs will be installed at all of RTD's 30,000 bus stops system- wide. Consisting of four 8" by 32" pan- els mounted onto a steel cage and attached to the standard RTD bus stop post, the new signs were de- signed by Saul Bass/Herb Yager and Associates in Los Angeles. The first 3,500 signs, being manu- factured by Watco Identification Systems, Inc. of Shelbyville, Tenn., are expected to be in place The District will begin receiving 940 of the RTS buses made by throughout the Valley by spring. General Motors beginning in October of this year. The order, With black lettering against a bound awarded late in January, is believed to be the largest single bus or- bright yellow background, the new RTD der ever placed by a U.S. transit agency. Certainly the dollar value signs will provide RTD riders with of the contract — $147 million — sets a record. (Please turn to page 3)

Page 2 Headway

SURVEY In January, South Bay area resi- dents employed at Rockwell, Hughes, and Aerosapce/SAMSO were asked to participate in an RTD transit survey that could help bring new, improved bus service to the EI Segundo Employment Cen- ter. "The purpose of the survey is to obtain additional information on the commuting habits of workers in the El Segundo Employment Cen- ter so that future plans for bus transportation in the area will bet- ter meet their needs," explained Lenwood Howell, RTD associate planner. The survey was mailed directly to each employee's home with a prepaid reply envelope for re- turning the completed survey. Howell said that in order to update and expand the present District Even after five years, the Busway service to the center, it is necessa- ry to maintain an ongoing evalua- tion process. "The level of public transporta- proves to be a moving experience tion awareness has been en- hanced," said Howell, "and the en- lst commuter: Did you see this ar- tion to which some 1,700 carpool that preferential treatment of high- ergy crisis is encouraging commut- ticle on public transportation vehicles are using the busway dur- occupancy vehicles will induce a ers to take a good look at the cost plans for Los Angeles? They're ing each of the peak periods." shift away from single-occupancy saving advantages of bus trans- trying to decide between light Building the Busway was a joint vehicles and, as a result, improve portation." rail, heavy rail or a busway. effort between Southern California air quality and aid in the energy DEBUTANTE 2nd commuter: What's a busway? Rapid Transit District, Caltrans, shortage. Division 7 operator Elijah Banks, 1st commuter: Oh, about 15 tons. the Federal Highway Administra- Since its inception, minor modifi- Jr. is extremely proud of his tion and UMTA. One of the major cations have been made in the daughter, and he certainly has am- On February 18 of this year the goals of the $56 million project was Busway's Operation, Urban points ple reason to be. Miss Tracey Los Angeles-El Monte Busway will to demonstrate that high-speed out. Marie Banks has managed to cram be five years old. Sticklers for de- bus service would attract riders. After the initial test period, a lot of accomplishment into her 17 tail could rightfully point out that Ridership counts are a conven- carpools were allowed on the east-il. years, not the least of which is her the busway is actually older than ient way of measuring that suc- erly portions of the Busway, begin- recent acceptance to prestigious that since it was opened on an in- cess. ning in late 1976. In June of the fol- Dartmouth College where she will cremental basis with the first sev- When the first seven-mile seg- lowing year, vehicles carrying attend in August. en miles of the system placed in ment opened in 1973, daily rider- three or more people were allowed Currently a student at the West- service in July of 1973. ship was approximately 4,000. By to use the entire Iength of the ridge School for Girls in Pasadena, But it was on February 18, 1975, the time the final segment opened Busway during peak travel peri- the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, na- that the final element was dedic- ridership was up by 300 per cent to ods, the so-called rush hours (6 to tive participates on the school's ated and the eleven-mile, two-lane 12,000 per day. During the height 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.). drill team, dance troupe, prom roadway operated as a total sys- of last May's gasoline shortage in Today, the Busway consists of committee, tennis team and was tem. A two-year test period of the California, ridership peaked at an 11-mile, two-lane roadway with selected to be a senior mathemat- Busway exclusively for buses be- 25,000 per day. That might be just three rapid transit stations. Com- ics intern. Her prep school honors gan at that time, also. a drop in the bucket compared to mencing in the East at the El Mon- resulted in her inclusion in the One thing that has been estab- the District-wide ridership figure of te Station, where a Park-and-Ride 1979 edition of Who's Who Among Iished in the past five years is that 1.4 million daily during that time, facility is located, the Busway High School Students in America. the Busway has lived up to or ex- but it is a sizable increase over the occupies the median of the San Tracey recently had her coming ceeded its planned concept of 2,000 patrons the District carried Bernardino Freeway from El Mon- out at the 3rd Annual Christian moving commuters through one of through the corridor in pre-Busway te to a point just east of the Long Debutante Presentation. Her out- the most heavily congested travel days. Beach Freeway interchange. Here side activities include employment corridors in the Los Angeles area, "There's no doubt that the highly the Busway crosses both freeways as a teen model on the Bullock's according to RTD Principal Plan- visible speed with which patrons on an overhead ramp and parallels Pasadena Teen Advisory Board, ner Ben Urban, who helps oversee travel the Busway in full view of the San Bernardino Freeway to the secretary of the Torrance Medical Busway operations and periodical- motorists trapped in peak hour north. West of the University Sta- Explorer Group and membership ly checks its pulse. traffic on the adjoining San Bernar- tion the westbound Busway lane in the United States Tennis Asso- "It's been very successful in dino Freeway has contributed to crosses over the eastbound lane, ciation. Keenly interested in opening up the San Gabriel Valley the growth in ridership," Urban reversing the normal placement of French language and culture (she for commuters," Urban says. "Re- says. the lanes. Moving on past the Hos- traveled through France in 1977), cent counts show ridership aver- lt has also been an underlying pital Station, the lanes remain re- Tracey hopes to pursue a goal in aging about 20,000 a day, in addi- goal of the Busway to demonstrate versed to the terminus at Mission international business and eco- Road, where vehicles mingle nomics. the normal flow of traffic. MR. CHAIRMAN And the Busway is not through Donald M. Gardner, Senior growing yet. Plans are underway Electrical Engineer for RTD, has by the District and Caltrans to ex- been appointed Chairman of the tend the Busway the additional 1.4 Advanced Technology Committee miles to Union Station for easy for the American Public Transit As- commuter access to the Central sociation (APTA). Gardner, who Business District, trains or such joined the District in 1972 after planned modes of travel as the serving as Chief of Electrical Engi- Wilshire Corridor Subway and the neering for Walt Disney Produc- Downtown People Mover. tions' WED Enterprises Division, is currently responsible for subsys- In the five years since its "birth," tems and operations criteria for the the Los Angeles-El Monte Busway rapid transit starter line. has proven to be one of the Premi- While with WED Enterprises Di- er rapid transit developments of vision, Gardner was responsible the past decade in Los Angeles. for new electrical designs for lt has made busway a house- shows, transportation systems and hold word for the tens of thou- vehicles at Disneyland and Walt sands of commuters who use it Disney World. He directed the daily. And, its success has re- electrical design for the Disney sulted in planned busways on the Monorail System and monorail PROVING A POINT — Buses streak past peak hour traffic tie-ups in proposed Century Freeway and on trains in each location, in addition the special Busway lane (top photo). Service began five years ago some existing freeways to alleviate to water craft, trams, steam trains this month with the University Station (above) still under construc- congestion. and other vehicles. tion. Happy Birthday, Busway!

Headway Page 3

Local Service Northbound to Lakeview TerraCe

INTRODUCTION — Los Angeles City Mayor Tom Bradley (left) gets to- sign information program. The new signs, Ilke the one pictured at right, gether with RTD Board President Marvin Holen, Ruth Richter and Gen- will be placed at some 3,500 bus stops in the San Fernando Valley be- eral Manager Jack Gilstrap to introduce the District's new bus stop fore being introduced systemwide. IN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY RTD unveils new Information sign program (Continued from page 1) ers," commented Marvin Holen, going? Where can I transfer? How from an Urban Mass Transporta- RTD president. "These new infor- much is the fare? When does the tion Administration (UMTA) grant. the bus line number, direction of mation signs will do that. They give last bus run? By displaying this in- The new signs are part of RTD's travel, destination, fare informa- the rider the specific route, fare formation on its new bus stop sign, ongoing programs to make bus tion, route map with transfer and transfer information he needs, the RTD intends to eliminate the travel as easy and convenient as points, span of daily service and at the point he needs it most — first, uncomfortable moments for possible. approximate interval time for bus- where and when he gets on the new riders. Jack Gilstrap, RTD general es during peak and non-peak bus." manager said, "Our new sign, with hours of operation. Portions of the The new signs are also ex- Bus stops serving 31 RTD lines the most complete transit informa- information panel will be printed in pected to reduce some of the more in the Valley will receive the new tion possible, is part of our commit- Spanish. than 10,000 calls daily to the signs in early 1980, at a total cost ment to serve the public's transit ei. "Part of the challenge in provid- RTD's 24-hour Transit Information of $242,000 starting with Line 88 needs in the 1980's, when more 4 public transportation for Los line, Holen added. along Van Nuys Boulevard. Fund- and more people will be using pub- Angeles County residents, with Marketing studies show that be- ing for the information signs comes lic transportation." their traditional dependence on the fore new riders board a bus they personal automobile, is creating a are concerned with questions such climate of confidence with new rid- as: Is this the right bus? Where is it GMC HAS LOW BID Divisions get new look RTS's coming to RTD (Continued from page 1) points out that this latest order of buses will include electronic . . . management-wise The second was from Grumman headsigns, which adds nearly four Flxible Corporation, whose base thousand dollars to the price of Unless you work at RTD's ous division in parentheses, and bid was $147,495 per bus or each bus. operating facility in Sun Valley, you the assistants, some of whom re- $6,215 higher than the General Each of the 940 buses will also have probably noticed by now that main at the same division. Motors bid. That represents more be equipped with automatic wheel- you have a new division transpor- At Division 1 on 6th and Central than a $6 million difference be- chair lifts for the handicapped. tation manager. However, what in downtown Los Angeles, Ben T. tween the two bids. However, unlike the GFC 870 bus- you may not know is that, with the Lynum (Division 9) with assistants "The bid prices received for this es due this spring and the current exception of Division 15, so does T.D. Walker and H. P. Maguire. procurement are substantially AM General lift-equipped buses, everyone eise in the District. At Division 2 on 16th and San higher than those of a year ago, which have lifts in the front door- As of Sunday, January 6, all of Pedro in Los Angeles, Lawrence L. when, on December 28, 1978, way, the General Motors Corpora- the District's operating facilities Johnson (Division 6's Acting Grumman Flxible was low bidder tion buses have the lift at the rear were assigned new Division Transportation Manager) with as- at $121,217," said Manager of Op- door. Transportation Managers, with the sistants A.J. Taylor and J.I. erations Sam Black. According to General Motors exception of George Marsala, who Adams. Black said the more than 16 per representative Don Johnson, de- ill remain at Division 15. At Division 3 in Highland Park, cent increase could be explained livery of the 940 buses should be- According to Bill Foster, Deputy Gerry D. Woods (Division 8) with partially by inflation rate since De- gin in October, 1980, and conclude mil Manager of Operations and Acting assistants R. Wilson and F. cember, 1978. Additionally, Black by March, 1981. General Superintendent of Trans- Janulewicz. portation, the shuffle was brought At Division 5 in South Central about for a variety of reasons, not Los Angeles, Wes D. McCarns (Di- the least of which was retirements. vision 3) with assistants J. Farley "We have had or will have sever- and L. Bailey. al retirees among our transporta- At Division 6 in Venice, Gus tion managers," Foster explained. Lopez (Division 7). "Ralph Costello and Art Begg re- At Division 7 in West Los An- cently retired and George Mi- geles, Ernie C. Giaquinto (Division chaels is scheduled to retire early 5) with assistant W. Babies. this year." At Division 8 in Van Nuys, the Foster added that the District Transportation Manager position is likes its management personnel to still vacant at presstime, and the receive a broad based knowledge assistant is H. Forrest. of the District's service area. At Division 9 in El Monte, J.J. "Some of the division managers McCullough (Division 18) with as- have been in the same place for sistants B.D. Whittington and J.F. four or five years and these moves Cenderelli. will be beneficial to their experi- At Division 12 in Long Beach, ence and exposure," Foster said. George C. Michaels (Division 6) GRAND OPENING — Mike Hartpence (standing) opens gift- with assistant M.L. Drumright. wrapped bid proposals for 940 advanced design buses. Watching Following is a rundown of the At Division 18 in the South Bay at the December 21 unwrapping were RTD's Frank Kirshner, GFC's new managerial assignments by area, Paul J. Mahoney (Division 2) Richard Davis, GMC's Don Johnson and District employees Barry division, with the manager's previ- with assistant J.J. Bukowski. Engleberg, Alan Nishimura and Mike Leahy. Page 4 Headway

J.F. Purcell, schedule analyst to James Allen Phelps, 36 years. supr. schedule checkers. Operator at division 1. Freddie D. Reeves, from key- Oren A. Wellmerling, 32 years. punch opr. to data ct. spec. Operator at division 9. Earl Rollins, Jr., from div. disp. ex. asst. D.M. to asst. div. trans. SCHEDULE CHANGES mgr. Christopher R. Ross, from jr. In Memoriam clerk to storekeeper. stock clk, to stock clerk. Charles L. Campbell, former su- Moving Up Dana M. Coffey, from opr. ex. div. Norman Tamashiro, from me- pervisor, passed away November disp. at division 7 to div. disp. at di- chanic C to mechanic B at division 28. He joined the company in Arrie D. Albright, from traveling vision 6. 3. June, 1945, and retired in June, mopper-waxer to messenger clerk. Theresa Gonzales, from typist Konwood Thomas, Jr., from opr. 1968. Gerald Alford, from mechanic C clerk to schedule typist. ex. sch. chkr to schedule checker. Camillo Caringella, former me- to mechanic B, division 18. Carlito T. Hernandez, from stock Charles R. Todd, from gen. clerk chanic A, passed away on Novem- Richard R. Andersen, from staff clerk to shipping clerk. to relief tkt. clk. ber 23. He joined the company in assistant to planning analyst. Phillip J. Hudec, from shipping Charles R. Todd, from relief tkt. October, 1952, and retired at divi- Terry M. Anderson, from opr. xtr. clerk to equip. rec. spec. at Divi- clk. to svc. director. sion 18 in June, 1955. instr. v.o. to instructor of v.o. sion 8. Mark Van Volkenburg, informa- Max Feldhorn, former Operator, Santiago Barrera, from mechanic Daniel C. Medina, from messen- tion clk to ticket clerk. passed away on November 2. He C to mechanic B at division 3. ger clerk to temp typist clk. Henry J. Wielandt, from junior joined the company in June, 1940 Richard Beeman, from mechanic David Moore, from mechanic B to stck. clk. to stock clerk. and retired at division 3-10 in Jun , B to mechanic A at division 3. mechanic B leadman at Division 7. Robert W. Wilks, from truck driver 1965. Wanda Bell, from schedule typist Warren Moore, from property to shipping clerk. Sam Carnes Maye, lnstructor of to schedule clerk. maint. B to property maint. A. Vehicle Operations, passed away James E Bolton, from mechanic Kazuharu Mural, from mechanic on December 5. He joined the C to mechanic B at division 5. A to mechanic A leadman at divi- Shifting Gears company in October, 1963. Winston A. Buchanan, from me- sion 2. Forrest W. Meyette, operator at chanic C to mechanic B at division Mary L. McGowan, from mopper- William W. Bradley, 33 years. division 2, passed away on De- 2. waxer to temp. cash clerk. Operator at division 2. cember 14. He joined the company Salvador N. Bustos, from me- Elaine L. Nelson, from typist clerk Alfred R. Howe, 21 years. Opera- in October, 1950. chanic B to mechanic A at division to division steno in transportation tor at division 9. John R. Moore, former Operator, 1 general. James E. Martin, 22 years. Oper- passed away on November 16. He Damon D. Cannon, from mechan- Francisco Perez, mechanic A to ator at division 3. joined the company in September, ic C to mechanic B at South Park. mechanic A leadman in mainte- Evend Myren, 35 years. Operator 1941, and retired from division 9 in Leonard W. Clark, from shipping nance general. at division 18. September, 1971.

for how nice Danny was to us. He formation as I was in unfamilia, ter- was very nice, courteous and help- ritory, handled a few undesirable ful. I would say he did the extra passengers who were smoking mile for his customers. It's being and playing radios by communi- COMMENDATIONS treated nicely by people like him cating verbally and all the while that makes traveling enjoyable. He Albert E. Troy, Line 83: "1 was drove very smoothly and efficiently (Editor's note: Quoted below will probably never see us again, through heavy traffic. This cheer- born and brought up in Los An- are excerpts from just a few of but I will always remember him ful, efficient employee is a credit top geles and have always ridden bus- the hundreds of letters of com- and RTD." (This letter came from your company and the riding publi es, but never in all my riding expe- mendation prising the actions of the Director of Vocational Educa- would be lucky if there were more District operators which are re- rience have I met a driver who so tion for the Humboldt, Tennessee, like him." courteously and patiently ex- ceived each month from pas- Department of Education). Fred A. Edwards, Line 871: "In plained all the problems of bus rid- sengers by the Customer Rela- W.E. Merriweather, Division 7: any big city courtesy and kindness tions Department. All such let- ing. He called every street, which "The driver of the bus was a wom- stand out. When a bus driver takes very few drivers do. He explained ters are reported to the operator an being instructed by a man, who the time for a smile or a kind word how to take connecting buses to by his division manager and a I noticed was very polite and kind or a pleasant good morning, it is get to other destinations, he was copy of the letter is placed in the to people. When I got off the bus I like a cup of good coffee. lt helps courteous and patient with every- operator's personnel fite). noticed that my card case with one to start the day with a bit of one." credit cards and bus pass was sunshine. Mr. Edwards' courtesy Danny L. Fuselier, Line 88: "I missing. The line terminated near- and efficiency have drawn my at- "Al- am glad you have people like Emily V. Ross, Line 44: by so I waited for its return and tention several times. He drives though she is a petite young lady, Danny Fuselier working for you. when it arrived Mr. Merriweather carefully and safely. He is patient she spoke up in a voice of authori- He was one of the most courteous graciously handed me my card with passengers. Such an employ- ty and told a young fellow to put and helpful bus drivers I have ever case, which I had dropped on the ee is certainly a credit to the com- seen. If he had not been alert I out his cigarette, that smoking is way out. All he would accept was a pany fortunate enough to have him not permitted on the bus. Too often would have left at a bus stop in Los thank you. 1 wish to commend RTD to represent them." Angeles. He saw me desperately your drivers ignore the passenger for having such a man in your em- F.V. Washington, Division 7: trying to cross the street to get to with a cigarette. This young lady "His courtesy was outstanding and his bus, which was bound for Los ploy." was also courteous and kind, with "You when he stopped he did so right at Angeles Airport. If he had not been David L. Dukes, Line 860: a Thank You when shown a bus have a fine driver on the run be- the curb, which I can teil you from pass and Have a Good Evening trying to do the best thing for his tween Long Beach and Riverside. experience is very helpful, espe- company and its customers, we when the passenger left the bus. He is very courteous and helpful to cially to older persons. When would have missed our plane. I Many of your drivers could take a his passengers. One woman gave asked directions about transfers cannot begin to express my thanks lesson from this lady." him a bad time, but he went out of and the like he was very willing to his way to calm her. The Riverside explain. lt was really a pleasure to passengers are glad to have him be one of this helpful driver's pas- do the driving for us." sengers." Visits to divisions could John S. Pacheco, Line 86: "He P.Y. Saavedra, Jr., Line 830 showed kindness and considera- "He deserves the highest praise as tion for an elderly man who had dif- being the most courteous, helpful make safety a shoo-in ficulty boarding the bus. He was and friendly bus driver, probably in carrying a suit case and a bag and all of Los Angeles, but at least on The RTD Safety Department has arranged for "Shoemobile" serv- shaking badly. I have seen drivers the Wilshire Boulevard line. I have ice at all maintenance divisions. Beginning last month, a Knapp show anger and impatience in sim- taken your buses for the past 23 Shoemobile will make periodic visits to each division, carrying a suffi- ilar situations. The driver I speak of years. He goes out of his way to cient stock to allow for on-the-spot fitting of safety shoes. was so understanding as he help senior citizens, is always According to Director of Safety Joe Reyes, the service is being waited for the man to slowly make friendly and very polite and I hope provided to District employees on a non-subsidized basis, with dis- his way to a side seat. Incidentally, you will give him a big commenda- counts in purchase prices going directly to the employee. For the em- he managed to avoid a car that tion. He deserves it." ployee's convenience, credit card and payroll deduction purchases made a quick turn in front of us. A Miguel A. Brambila, Line 42: have also been arranged. great combination of kindness and "He handled his noontime, Each division will be alerted two weeks prior to arrival of the sharp alertness. I ride buses so standing-room-only crowd of pas- Shoemobile. Posters, price lists and catalogues of stock items will be much and I have seen things that sengers with coolness, command, provided which give advance notice of each visit. The Shoemobile annoy me, so I feel I must speak firmness and courtesy that I usually will stay at a division for four hours, overlapping the daytime up when I see something good. though worthy of comment. He and afternoon shifts. Perhaps a kind word will demon- was able to get everyone's cooper- "The District has arranged for this service to make it easier for em- strate to the drivers that people do ation as he helped the aged, the ployees to obtain safety shoes by cutting out shopping time and driv- notice and care." people with infants and the blind to ing expenses," explains Reyes. "The Safety Department encourages Charles H. Reed, Line 5: "This exit conveniently despite crowds employees to take full advantage of this service." letter is to commend the finest driv- pushing to board at his major inter- Purchasing at discount prices and conserving fuel costs means er I have ever encountered in my sections. He spoke clear and sim- employees will save two ways, Reyes added. 30 years of using Los Angeles ple Spanish to those needing in- buses! He helped me with route in- struction about the rear door exit." Headway Page 5

No more `get-ups' for District retirees Retirement is a long- awaited milestone in the life of every working person and it rarely occurs without some- one taking special note of it ... at least at RTD. Just about everyone who retires is told how much he will be missed, if not at a special ceremony before the Board of Directors, then at simple cake-cutting parties with friends and co- workers. Director Charles Storing (at left, top photo) presented r Gus Levitt congratulations and com- memorative plaques to retir- leaves it after ing employees (from left to right) James A. Phelps, 36 years; James E. Martin, 22 37 years years; William W. Bradley, 33 After 37 years on the job, years; Alfred R. Howe, 21 serving public transit patrons years and Evend Myren, 35 in Southern California, Divi- years. sion 6's senior operator, Gus In the Photos below, Divi- Levitt, is shifting gears into re- sion 1 Transportation Mana- tirement. On his last day with ger Arthur Begg enjoys his the District, Levitt turns in his retirement party at the New equipment to his division's Otani Hotel, thrown by friends Acting Transportation Mana- and associates who have ger Larry Johnson (right). worked with him the past 34 And while the District will years. Pictured with Begg is surely miss Gus' 37 years of his wife, Anna, and with Su- experience and dependabil- perintendent of Transporta- ity, so will his customers. His tion Divisions Jack Greasby regular passengers on Line (right) and Division 1 Assis- 608 from Los Angeles to Mali- tant Manager Ben Whit- bu expressed their senti- tington. ments by throwing Gus a In the photo at left, Superin- going away party that fea- tendent of Transportation tured a bit of the bubbly and Services Geoff Diehl (center) even a belly-dancer. Now officiated at a double retire- that's going in style. ment party for a pair from the dispatch center with a com- bination of 67 years of ser- vice. Supervisor Richard R. George (right) was celebrat- ing 33 years with the District and its predecessors, while Radio Dispatcher John Gal- lagher was pulling the plug on his headset after 34 years with the company. Diehl ex- pressed the feeling of every boss who has ever bid farewell to a Jong-time em- ployee when he said, "We'll miss their years of experi- ence, but I'm sure we won't realize how much until after they're gone."

Page 6 Headway District salutes career success of employees For the fine performance of their duties and their cooperative and pleas- ant attributes as individuals, three more RTD employees have had their names added to the District's honor roll for outstanding Employees of the Month. Chosen Operator of the Month was Joseph W. May of Division 12, who has worked for the District and its predecessors since 1946. His outstand- ing record includes a 27-year safe driving award and a yearly commendation letter from the District for the past 25 years. He has proven himself competent, conscionable and an asset to the District. Maintenance Employee of the Month J.C. Anderson of Division 2 is a perfect example of an employee who takes full advantage of the upward mobility available to District employees. He started with RTD as a Travel- ing Janitor in 1970 and within eight years was promoted to his present Po- sition as Mechanic-A. According to Milton Spencer, Maintenance Mana- ger at Division 2, Anderson has always shown the ability to adjust easily to any given situation with little difficulty and he performs all tasks assigned to him in a competent manner. AWARDS — Director David Hayward (left) passes out certificates of Information Operator of the Month honors went to Joyce Cooper, whlie merit and cash bonuses to Employees of the Month Joyce Cooper Manager of Customer Relations Bob Williams said has proven to be an and J.C. Anderson as Manager of Customer Relations Bob Williams asset to the Telephone Information Department. Joyce exceeds the (rear) and Division 2's Masao Matsumoto watch. Operator of the standards set for the Telephone Information Clerk's work performance Month Joseph May was unable to attend. Hayward, Mayor of and she has a thorough knowledge of all District routes, schedules and Redondo Beach, made the employees Honorary Fire Marshalls of fares. She works quickly but is also patient, listening attentively to her call- his City (note badges on lapels). ers and showing much tact in dealing with patrons.

GRADUATION DAY Mechanic Training Program yields 12 more

As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait and no- body was arguing with that when 12 members of the ninth Mechan- ic-C Training Program were feted at graduation ceremonies held in the sixth floor conference room at District Headquarters downtown. District and union officials got to- gether to recognize the accom- plishment of the graduates, who 38 weeks ago were working for RTD as service attendants and Utility-A maintenance employees. Receiving certificates of comple- tion and messages of congratula- tions during the ceremony were Vincent Amico, Teofilo Ponce, John Hirth, Steve Mullaly, Jose Preciado, James Lane, Alan Brown, Cornelius McCoy, John McKemie, Rosendo Jaurequi, Joe Quesada and Warren Knox. GRADUATION DAY — General Manager Jack emony included (from left) Manager of Employee Participating in the graduation Gilstrap (center) and Amalgamated Transit Union Relations John Wilkens, Manager of Operations ceremony were RTD General President Jerry Long (at Gilstrap's left) honored re- Sam Black, Program Instructor Bob Sevilla and Manager Jack Gilstrap; Jerry cent graduates of the Mechanic C Training Pro- General Superintendent of Maintenance and Equip- Long, president of the Amalgama- gram. Other District officials participating in the cer- ment Rich Davis. ted Transit Union (ATU) which rep- resents District maintenance per- The unique training program in- knowledge of arithmetic, identifica- gan offering the annual course in sonnel; Manager of Operations cludes 22 weeks of classroom in- tion of tools and comprehension of 1971. Only 12 applicants are ac- Sam Black; Manager of Employee struction (with three-hour meetings maintenance manuals to studying cepted from the ranks of the Dis- Relations John Wilkens; General twice a week) which the partici- fuel and electrical systems and ob- trict's Utility-A and service attend- Superintendent of Maintenance pants attend on their own time, fol- taining a theoretical knowledge of ant employees for each class to and Equipment L.R. Davis and lowed by 16 weeks of on the job pneumatics and hydraulics. take advantage of this unique em- Temporary Administrator of Em- training around the District. The graduation represented the ployment advancement opportuni- ployee Education, Training and Topics covered during the ninth class to complete the pro- ty. Development Joann Bowman. course range from basic mechanic gram since RTD and the ATU be-

Wedding bells

There were wedding bells ringing this past November when Jean Powells married Earl Williams. A surprise party was thrown for the cou- ple by Jean's co-workers in the Schedule Department. Jean, seated in the midst of her friends, is a Graphic Art- ist, while husband Earl, not pictured, is a Special Agent for the District.

Headway Page 7

RTD is growing places For years now, "RTD is Going Places" has been the District's slogan. Now, that slogan could well be paraphrased RTD is Growing Places. Throughout the District, projects that have been in the planning stages for months are leaping off the drawing boards and into reality. Some of the projects are designed to replace old or worn out facilities and equipment. Others are necessitated by the increased demand for public transit in Southern California. But, all of the projects will help the District to better meet the needs of its passengers. At Division 3 in Highland Park (top photo) a new bus refueling and washing facility nears completion as the last load of concrete is poured. Planned to be in Operation as early as March, the structure replaces current equipment that is almost as old as dirt. On the sixth floor of District administrative headquarters at 425 South Main Street, downtown Los Angeles, a hole was cut through the wall and ito an adjoining annex and a home for the Rapid Transit Department was dis rn (at right). Rapid Transit will move into the approximately 14,000 Nmelirsquare feet of office space, as soon as remodeling is completed, to begin preparation for preliminary engineering on the Wilshire Corridor Rail Rapid Transit Project. As one observer noted, the work on the sixth floor represents the first construction being done for the Wilshire subway. Elsewhere in the administration building, workmen were knocking more holes through the wall and into the annex on the fourth floor to make way for for an expanded Dispatch Center, which will nearly double in size. At present, workmen are merely ripping out worn materials and doing some structural modification (bottom photos). A special viewing room for visitors to watch the center operations is already taking shape. When it is com- pleted in about three months it will be one of the only facilities of its kind in the nation. And, there's much more growing on. For instance, at Division 2 an expansion of the Cash Counting Room is underway. At Division 6 in Ocean Park the combined transportation and maintenance building is undergoing a complete facelift. New fuel tanks have been installed at Division 9 and new employee parking lots are just about completed at Divisions 1 and 9. Page 8 Headway

RECREATION NEWS That extra day might just be your lucky day In case you hadn't heard, 1980 fishing trip leaving from Oxnard. va (a fish which is found only off . The $3.50 will be is a Leap Year and you can take The cost is $22 for District employ- San Felipe and certain parts of the discounted to $2.50 for employees full advantage of the extra day by ees, $28 for family members and African coast). If enough people and their families. planning now to go on the Leap guests. are interested in fishing, arrang- Year Las Vegas Weekend from ements will be made to charter a February 29 to March 2. For $50 boat for Saturday at approximately A Backgammon Tournament is per person based on double occu- $9 per person. scheduled for March. Plan now to pancy you can enjoy roundtrip lt you were unable to make the This exciting weekend can be participate. Notices and entry transportation by chartered coach, above fishing trip, don't worry. The yours for only $169 per person blanks will be posted in your work two nights at the Imperial West on Recreation Department has you based on double occupancy. Res- locations during February. Keep the strip, shuttle service to the covered. There is a weekend trip ervation deadline is February 22 checking those Rec Boards. downtown casinos on Saturday, planned for March 14-16 to San and money is due when reserva- fun books and free chicken and Felipe Beach Resort in Baja, tions are made. champagne on the trip home. If California. The trip includes air fare A new shipment of RTD T-Shirti" you want to go you'll have to act from Los Angeles, two nights at has arrived. If you missed out c fast. The money is due February the Econhotel (the newest hotel in Well, the dust has finally settled the color of your choice or simpr j 11. San Felipe), welcome cocktails, in the Super Bowl and it's time to wish to enhance your T-shirt col- free tennis and free entrance to the think about again. And lection, here's your chance. The disco. what better way to get things shirts are available in adult and There are a precious few Spots In addition, you can go fishing started than by attending the annu- child sizes small, medium, large still available for the February 23 for Corvina and, hopefully, Totua- al Freeway Series between the and extra large, in yellow, red, blue California Angels and the Los An- and sand. Still the best buy in town geles Dodgers, Sunday, April 6 at at only $3. New vacuums, new RTD helps Pasadena divisions, new year celebrate new year The more things change, the side a bus in less than three mi- "All scheduled headways on all lines were maintained into and out more things remain the same. nutes, were being built in of Pasadena." With that terse comment, Geoff Diehl, Superintendent The old axiom could well apply Torrance. Terminals at Van of Transportation Services, summed up RTD's operations on New to transit news in Southern Nuys, El Monte, Ocean Park, Year's Day to the Tournament of Roses Parade and the California as one of the top sto- West Hollywood and Macy Garne. ries from 25 years ago dealt with Street would each get one of the The District operated 14 bus lines to transport visitors and resi- local bus operations meeting the huge machines, with the first Bo- dents to the parade, the football game and to the float displays in Vic- demand for extra service to the ing to El Monte. The installed tory Park in one of RTD's most successful January 1 operations in Pasadena Tournament of cost of each vacuum was recent years. Beefing up service on 10 of its regular lines into Roses Parade in January, 1955. $5,100 and they were so situat- Pasadena allowed RTD to help ease street congestion, traffic delays A total of 205 coaches were ed that motor coaches would go and parking problems, according to Diehl. • pressed into special service to from the vacuum to the bus A special shuttle service was also operating in Pasadena to carry meet the demand put on Metro- washer without backing or un- parade watchers to post-parade displays in Victory Park or on to the politan Coach Lines (MCL). For necessary maneuvering. The Rose Bowl Garne. Fares were the normal 55 cents, except for three the first time, MCL's recently ac- operation was/is simple. With additional express service buses from the San Fernando Valley and quired Asbury Rapid Transit the two rear windows opened Downtown which cost $1 each way. System figured as an important slightly, a huge opening is "Passenger travel both into and away from the Pasadena area factor in Metro's New Year's placed over the bus' front door. showed an increase over 1979," said Diehl, who had anticipated that Day operations in Pasadena, An employee with an air hose is the pleasant weather and available parking might result in more peo- swelling the total passengers by inside and, as the vacuum fans ple driving than taking the bus. 8,200 to 37,200 riders. are turned by two 7 1/2 horsepow- As it was, District buses and operators carried 7,253 passengers In other news, January 30, er motors to draw air from the to Pasadena that day, a 10.9 per cent increase over the previous 1955, was a D-Day of sorts for coach in a steady stream that year. Some 6,500 passengers rode the bus home from the area, MCL as they opened the new El dust cannot resist, the air hose which was a 13.2 per cent increase over the previous year's statis- Monte facility and initiated a divi- is used to unlodge stubborn pa- tics. In all, 139 buses were used. sion plan at that terminal with fa- per and debris. The highwater mark for recent years, according to Diehl's figures, cilities for both maintenance and On January 20, Metro paid came in 1978 when heavy rains forced the closure of Brookside Golf transportation. On the same the City of Los Angeles more Course, adjacent to the Rose Bowl, for use as a public parking day, Long Beach became a divi- than $98,000 to pave over the space. That drove people onto District buses and resulted in a sion point with Roland W. Kraftt streetcar tracks on Hollywood ridership figure of 13,176. as division foreman (Kraftt is Boulevard, on which motor "Members of my staff worked many long hours in preparation for currently RTD's Assistant to the coach service replaced rail in and in personally overseeing this year's operations and they are to General Superintendent of September, 1954. Overhead be complimented," Diehl said. "Problems were held to a bare mini- Transportation). At the new El wires and poles were also re- mum. Operator and Traffic Loader cooperation was excellent and, as Monte division, storage and moved as part of a reconstruc- a result, the loading of passengers departing after the parade and maintenance facilities were pro- tion project to beautify the fa- football game was carried out with a minimum of delay." vided for 127 coaches under mous boulevard. Diehl also praised local law enforcement officials for the assist- A.L. Bristow, automotive divi- (Editor's note: This is the lat- ance they lent to the District's operations. "Pasadena Police and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Depart- sion foreman; while the 190 op- est in an occasional series of ar- ment did a superb job of controlling traffic and we received excep- erators were supervised by B.G. ticles looking back at stories of • tional cooperation from these agencies in citing and removing illegal- Curnutt, transportation division interest in the Los Angeles ly parked vehicles from bus storage areas," Diehl said. foreman. transit industry of 25 years ago. No sooner were the statistics compiled for the New Year's Day op- Meanwhile, five large station- Source: Metro Coach News, Volume 2, Number 1, January- erations than plans were begun to virtually repeat the process for the ary vacuums, designed to clean Superbowl Garne in the Rose Bowl on January 20. out everything that's loose in- February, 1954).

Southern California Rapid Transit District HEADWAY 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