It's Official! TRANSIT UPDATES: RAPID TRANSIT The Southern California Rapid Transit • The Metro Red Line 25-cent fare has been extended District and the Los Angeles County once again until the end of April. (Passengers must pay $1 .10 + $ .25 transfer charge in order to transfer to Transportation Commission have buses, the Blue Line, or .) merged to become the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority. COMMUTER RAIL • See "Metrolink Update" on Page 7

(Buses will still carry the RTD logo for BUS up to two years, until they all are • The Rapid Transit District has introduced a $23, half• month pass., valid on all RTD/MT A bus and rail service. repainted) & .••••••• • Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) now operates the new Southwest DASH route SO~CA:TA-Ag-ena-a-fo~f'ffflJJ93 connecting Exposition Park with portions of South Central Los Angeles. Fare Is $.25, and transfer 1. Why is rail construction taking so connections are available to DASH Route C serving Downtown Los Angeles. long? • According to Santa Clarita city officials, LADOT plans 2. Comparison of SO.CA.TA and other to extend its Route #573 (Granada Hills-Encino• Westwood-Century City) into Santa Clarita sometime local transit advocacy groups during April.

3. Should SO.CA.TA oppose light-rail • More LADOT news: Line #549 (Encino-Burbank• Glendale-Pasadena) may be modified to serve Lake Ave projects? and Los Robles Ave. in Pasadena.

4. Discussion of motion-making • For detailed information on LADOT's new City Ride transit program for seniors and disabled, see page 6 procedures T '" • is modifying several of its bus routes in SO.CA.TA TRANSIT GUIDES the area. Page 6

We are developing a series of brochures CARPOOL LANES AND PARKIRIDE containing information on bus and rail • A park/ride lot in Glendora (Grandll-21 0) is being services at various transit centers. expanded from 100 to 300 spaces. This lot is served by Foothill Transit routes #488, #498 and #690

A sample guide will be presented at the • A carpool lane (2 or more per car) has just been April 10 meeting. We are looking for opened on the southbound San Diego Freeway (1-405) between EI Segundo and the Harbor Freeway (1-110) suggestions concerning the production and distribution of these guides. Transit Updates are compiled by So. CA. TA members. If you notice any new, changed or discontinued transit seNices, please call us at (213) 254 9041 so that all members may be informed.

Page 2 THE TRANSIT ADVOCATE April 1993 TRANSIT DICTATOR! dictator, anything I say will not be blocked by groups that oppose my plans. Also, any environmental impact by Berton Corson, reports will be quickly approved, so I can accomplish California State University, Northridge my long-range plan of having 25% of the heavy rail (Below is a hypothetical question asked of me, and system finished in 5 years, 50% in 10 years, 75% In 15 other students, in a transportation class this past years, and 100% in 20 years. I will also have the semester. The test question was designed to have authority to fine and/or jail contractors who's work isn't some fun with, and any monetary figures may not be completed within a specified amount of time. accurate, in the way I answered it.) My first order of business will be to put forth plans initially that would show immediate results within one Question#2 to two years, while also carrying out my long term Being appointed transportation dictator for L.A. plans. Keeping in mind the possibility that we will County, with a two billion dollar a year annual eventually run out of fossil fuels, I will have to have budget. You have dletar!al powers over the next some compassion in executing my plans or I would 20 years, In trying to solve Los Angeles County's probably risk being the country's first transportation transportation commissioner ever to be assassinated. problems. In my first year, we will be in the planning stages for heavy rail transit, mostly above ground, that will serve In this hypothetical situation of being appointed the the most heavily traveled and densely populated transportation dictator for Los Angeles County for the corridors. Initial engineering work will be made to bring next 20 years, I will see that many changes will occur. the Metro Red Line all the way west, down VIIilshire But this two billion dollar annual budget does give one Boulevard, to Santa Monica. Planning will also start in the urge to try and do everything at once. running the Red Line south, down the San Diego First, I will have to make a few assumptions In my Freeway, going through commercial centers, Los planning strategy. One is the rate of inflation should Angeles International Airport, downtown Long Beach, be reasonable over the next 20 years, In order to and terminating near the L.A. County line, at the Long calculate buying power. Second, because I am Beach VA Hospital. The Red Line will also be eventually extended into the San Fernando Valley, from Universal City, through Burbank, and ending at Burbank Airport. The Red Line will also be extended north to Pasadena, and east along the San Bernadino Free• way, with many stops along the way, terminating in Pomona. Another Red Line route will go from North Hollywood to Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Ventura Boulevard In Woodland Hills. And still another Red Line Route will go from Downtown, along the Santa Ana Freeway to Cerritos (although with cooperation from the Orange County Transportation Commission, I would like to extend it to Anaheim Stadium). The Red Line will use a single, heavy rail tech• nology, and thus any cars will be interchangeable throughout the system. (I also realized I called all these routes the 'Red Line', just to refer to heavy rail technology, but as these routes are completed, they will be given an appropriate color name). The timetable for completion will be very strict, as stated in the second paragraph of this report. Now that I've laid my long range goals, I would like to state my short range plans to get people (see pg. 4)

Aprill993 THE TRANSIT ADVOCATE Page 3 (Dictator, from pg.3) APTAAppTauds C-linton immediate habit of leaving their cars at home. A Administration's Backing for Mass majority of my two billion annual budget will be used to buy 5000 new buses, eliminate the RTD and put the Transit, Renews Full Funding Call whole system under the Transportation Commission's control. I see it as too much risk to give the money to the WASHINGTON, March 30 - The chairman of the American RTD to carry out our plans, given their past history of Public Transit Association today praised the Clinton adminis• running a very poor bus system. 5000 new bus routes tration for taking positive steps to promote mass transit. In will be created, with a standard 50-cent fare throughout testimony before the Senate Housing and Urban Affairs Sub• the system. There also will be a police officer on every committee, AIyrA Chairman Louis J. Gambaccini pmised transit vehicle, whether it be a railcar or a bus, with strict Transportation Secretary Federico Pena for setting aside 20 orders to arrest or shoot anyone performing a crime on percent of new gas tax revenue for mass transit projects in states a public vehicle, such as robbery or tagging (grafitti). and local communities. Many of these 5000 buses will gradually be replaced "We applaud Secretary Pena' s proposal to extend the 2.5 cents over the next three to five years, as an extensive electric gas tax that will expire in 1995, to dedicate the revenue to the trolley bus network evolves. These electric buses will Highway Tm'lt Fund and to give a half cent to mass transit,"he crisscross over thousands of miles of L.A. County said. Administration officials earlier had proposed to reserve all streets, and eventually be used as feeder lines into Red the expected revenue -some $3 billion yearly - for highway Line stations. I will try to have the trolleybuses have projects, thereby scrapping the trdditional80/20 split between their own dedicated lanes on the busiest streets that roads and transit. "We are very pleased by (Pena's) commitment they serve.This will entice more people to use them. (I to intermodal thinking," Gambaccini added. "He is the ideal know some people will object to over-head electrical person to galvanize the federdl govenunent into making ISTEA lines being ugly, but since I'm dictator, they're stuck.) (the 1991 federal surface transportation law) work." These buses operate in cities such as Vancouver, and The APT A chairman also urged senators to support all $5.1 they are quieter, and pollution free, when compared to billion in ISTEA-authorized tran'lit funding next year to help an RTD (diesel) vehicle. Also, a trolley bus route is the meet current needs and to advance the goals of "America's New most quickly built route of any transit technology, aside Surface Transportation Network." ,vrhc completion of these from using regular buses. Some people would also high-capacity,surface transportation options mnks in importance argue that they would cause more pollution from the with the on-going expansion of our highway system," he said. extra oil and gas-powered electric power plants will Garnbaccini urged backing for the administration's economic need to generate to run this system. But my plan stimulus plan saying, 'The $752 million for trdnsit will put includes a large solar and wind powered facility, out in thousand'l of people to work on needed projects that have been the high desert, to power the whole electric trans• delayed by funding shortfalls." portation network without pollution. Also, eventually, a In later testimony in his role as general manager and chief common type of light rail line will replace many of the operating officer of Philadelphia's SEPT A transit system, higher passenger trolley bus routes. Everything will be Gambaccini emphasized SEPTA's need for full fedemloperating done while maintaining a standard 50 cent fare. assistance. "We don't want to cut service again, and we know As the mid-point of my twenty year plan arrives, the that many of our passengers can't afford to pay higher fares," he heavy rail routes should be about 50% operational, said, adding that a recession-induced reduction in SEPI'A from the city core to the suburbs. What I'll do now is ridership had earlier prompted layoffs along with cuts in service offer tax incentives to house-holds who agree to and worker benefits. possess only one car. Also, in the tenth year, construction of overhead bike paths will start. Bike APT A is the international associaJion of operating transit paths will connect residential areas with nearby authorities, their suppliers and other advocates of improved shopping centers, schools, and light commercial areas. transit service. All these bike paths will be separate from motor vehicle For further information and interviews, contact Chip Bishop of traffic. The good part about this, is more families will opt APTA aI202-898-41 14. to leave their cars at home for shorter trips, and more students will decide to bike to school, as opposed to

Page 4 THE TRANSIT ADVOCATE April 1993 having their parents make special trips for dropping would be no fuel for automobiles, and no decent rapid them off and picking them up. transit system to use as an alternative. Fortunately, at Van pooling will also be encouraged. Any company this time, the airports will still be able to be used, as the that manages to get 20 employees to van pool on the airlines receive their first hydrogen powered aircraft. same route, will be given a van to be used for free. If In the 20 years since this hypothetical transit plan the participation dwindles, they'll have to return the vans started, Los Angeles has gone from an automobile that aren't being utilized properly. based society, to a rail transit based society. And the By the 15th year, the bike paths will be finished, the people are using it. The reasons is that the the light rail, heavy rail lines 75% finished, and the light rail lines heavy rail, and trolley systems were built with state of starting to replace many of the trolley bus routes. At this the art technology, although the technology wasn't so point, 90% of the population of the county is within advanced that the average user wouldn't understand it. walking distance to a public trans-portation point, with That is why I avoided technology such as nuclear park and ride facilities available on the most heavily powered, anti-gravity, floating mono-rails. An individual used rail stops. There are now car pool lanes on almost wants the feeling he's traveling around town in comfort, every section of L.A. County freeways, although rush not like he's going to Mars. Also, this transit plan takes hour volumes have actually subsided, due to the people where THEY WANT TO GO, at a very enormous amount of transit available at 50 cent fares. economical 50 cent fare. Even though the heavy rail Being that there are police officers on every transit portion of my plan focused on downtown, my whole plan vehicle, they are also one of the most safest places to did not, since everyone doesn't need to go downtown. be. The light rail, and above all, the trolley buses, have By the time 20 years are up, all heavy rail lines allowed pollution free transit to even the remotest areas should be completed, and all light rail lines finished. of the county, with frequent stops in both directions at all There is now so much economical rapid transit available times. that freeway lanes are actually being removed from I've now retired as Transportation Dictator, on service. This land is being sold to commercial devel• January 1, 2013. I have avoided assassination, and I am opers, and the funds used to subsidize the 50 cent fares now convinced that this was the way to complete L.A. ,for many, many more years to come. There is also County's transportation plan efficiently. Otherwise, we another reason why freeway traffic has decreased: oil couldn't get any city officials, transit planners, and the has become very scarce, as OPEC is starting to run out, public, to agree on anything, and we would have ended ·so fewer people can afford to operate their cars. If it up with a patchwork system started in the 1980's that wasn't for my dictorial powers over the last 20 years, would be of little benefit to anyone. this county would be an economic catastrophe, as there (Pro~le"'ll,fJ;Qm o.f·:·.tra:a~:l:::."':'::.~( , . shQQll SI,l~~1 sun! ..

..t~~ I09~7~f~ impr§x~~~. thea.lt!~~~*~t ,/~~~#*!~>.. Aprill993 THE TRANSIT ADVOCATE Page 5 L.A. s New CityRide-More Optionsfor You! Senior (65+) and disabled residents of the City of • A trip on Dial-A-Ride (2 units for special group Los Angeles now have more transit options trips, 4 units for trips of10 to 20 miles, and 6 units (subsidized bus passes, Dial-A-Aide, taxis and lift for trips up to 20 miles) vans) under the new CityRide program. This single program consolidates all the different dial-a- • Up to 8 units can be used toward taxi or lift-van ride, lift-van, and taxi coupon book programs as fares. well as the $4/monthly RTD bus pass. CityRide participants will enjoy total flexibility Please note that RTD bus cass fares ~ not among travel modes. One participant may choose being increased! In fact, under the CityRide to buy only bus passes, while another may buy a program, actual bus pass prices would be no bus pass and occasionally take advantage of Dial• more than $2.50. A-Aide or short taxi trips.

Eligible users can buy $60 worth of "scrip· for $15 Remember that only the first 100,000 people who (or only $6 for Medi-Cal and/or SSI recipients), register will be able to participate in the program. four times each year (for a total of $240 in scrip for Additionally, only the first 40,000 Medi-Cal/SSI $60 each year). It may be less confusing to think recipients will be eligible for the $6 discounted of one dollar's worth scrip as a "Transportation rate. Therefore anyone who might be eligible for Unit": These may be used to purchase any of the CityRide should obtain an application (available at following: senior centers, independent living centers and RTD Customer Service Centers) as soon as • A senior or disabled bus pass (10 units). possible. Or, call CityRide at (800) 956-7400. Foothill Transit Modifies, Expands Bus Routes Effective April 18, Foothill Transit will make extensive Also, weekday night service will be offered, with the last changes to several bus routes in the San Gabriel buses leaving Pasadena at 9:55 pm and Pomona at Valley: 9:20pm.

Lines #178 and 1179 will now both serve La Puente Lines 1274 and #276 will operate as separate lines. In Road in Walnut between Azusa Ave. and Mount San addition, #274 will be extended via Workman Mill to Antonio College. The two lines combined will provided Crossroads Business Park, Rio Hondo College and 30 minute service on weekdays (except on Valinda and Whittier (Beverly/Palm).#276 will extend via Gale Ave Lark Ellen, where the two routes separate and operate to Puente Hills Mall. hourly). Alternating trips on Line 1486 will serve either Puente Line #185 will DQ JQD.gm ~ Highway, Bonita Hills Mall (as it does now) or Amar Road and Temple BI. Avenue, or Montclair. (See description of new Line #492 to Cal Poly Pomona. for service to these points). Instead, it will continue north along Irwindale Avenue, serving an area currently Line 1492, formerly rush-hour only along Arrow without bus service, and terminate in Azusa. Highway to Los Angeles, has been expanded to an all• day operation (including Saturdays) and extended to Line #187 now detours in Claremont (via Foothill, Montclair via the former route of #185 Claremont, and Arrow Highway) to serve the Claremont Transit Center (Metrolink). Service along Towne Ave. Line 1494 will be extended to San Dimas via Lone Hill. between Foothill and Arrow Hwy. will be discontinued. Page 6 THE TRANSIT ADVOCATE April 1993 METROLINK COMMUTER RAIL UPDATE Metrolink- now runs additional reverse-commute (i:e.contractor problemsfaloo affected the service. Three new round trips leave Union . Station for Glendale and Burbank in the morning, returning in the evening. This allows San • The Baldwin Park station should be open Bernadino line commuters access to Burbank sometime in April. Construction of the Sylmar and Glendale. station has started; it should be open by June.

Other Metrolink developments: • An Ontario Airport station on the Riverside Line • All midday trains on the San Bernadino Line is now under consideration, partly due to now travel to and from Montclair. hazardous waste problems at the downtown Ontario station site . • Service on the Riverside Line will be delayed until June. Many of the same issues which • VISA and Mastercard credit cards can now be delayed construction on the San Bernadino Line used at Metrolink ticket machines.

CALENDAR OF MEETINGS + EVENTS April 22 6:00pm Crenshaw-Prarie Corridor West Angeles Church ot God Note: Meeting times and places subject to change 3045 Crenshaw, LA without notice. April 24 9:00am 1993 Spring Rail Festival April10 1:00pm SO.CA.TA @ ECO-HOME April 25 Orange Empire Railway Museum 4344 Russell, Los Angeles Perris. (909) 657-2605

April 13 7:00pm Exposition Right-at-Way April 27 7:00pm Exposition Right-Of-Way (between 1-405and Centinela) (Trolleybus alternative on Venice 81) Westside YMCA, Westminster Senior Center 11311 La Grange, West L.A. 1234 Pacific, Venice

April 14 7:00pm Exposition Right-or-Way April28 7:00pm Exposition Right-at-Way (between La Cienega and Motor) (between Motor and 1-405) Echo Horizons School, Temple Isaiah 3430 McManus, Culver City 10345 W. Pica, Los Angeles

April q 10:00am Metrollnk, SCAG Conf Rm April 29 6:00pm Crenshaw-Prarie Corridor 818 W. 7th, Los Angeles Inglewood City Hall Comm. Rm "A" One Manchester, Inglewood April 19 7:00pm Exposition Right-Of-Way (from Centinela to Santa Monica) May 4 7:00pm Exposition Right-at-Way Ken Edwards Center, (between Arlington and La Cienega) 15274th St, Santa Monica Dorsey High School 3537 Ferndale, LA April 21 7:00pm Exposition Right-or-Way (Trolleybus alternative on Venice 81) May 6 7:00pm Exposition Right-at-Way Palms Middle School (between Arlington and Vermont) 10860 Woodbine, Los Angeles Calitornia Atro-American Museum, 600 State Drive (Exposition Park) April 21 6:00pm Crenshaw-Prarie Corridor L.A.Dept ot Water and Power May 8 1:OOpmSO.CA.TA @ ECQ-HOME 4030 Crenshaw, LA 4344.Russell , Los Angeles

April 1993 THE TRANSIT ADVOCATE Page 7