The recommendations presented in this report, if implemented, would net an overall annual savings of approximately 49,000 revenue hours and $3.6 million.  This program will not result in an overall service level reduction.  The hours saved with this program would be reinvested in additional service required for Consent Decree overcrowding compliance, extra seasonal service, and other service reliability improvements. 

BACKGROUND

On November 10, 2001, Metro staff conducted a Public Hearing to consider public input on several significant changes to the bus system scheduled for June 2002.  After careful consideration of the public’s comments, staff has developed recommendations and revised the initial FY 2002 Service Change Program. 

The program recommended changes to eight Metro bus lines.  Two lines were proposed to be restructured due to low ridership (Line 58 and Line 214) and all or portions of six other lines were recommended for cancellation because alternative service is available (Lines 18, 56 378, 379, 471 and Line 491).

Public Outreach Process

In September 2001, the Board approved a Notice of Public Hearing detailing several proposed modifications to Metro bus lines.  The hearing notice was published in several area newspapers, the dates of which are on file with the Board Secretary. 

In October, information packages containing the Notice of Public Hearing, passenger impacts and maps were mailed to Transit Operators and Planning and Public Works Departments in all incorporated cities in Los Angeles County.  In late October, brochures notifying the public of the November 10, 2001 hearing and describing the proposals were distributed throughout the Metro bus and rail system including the Customer Service Centers.

Results of the Public Hearing

Approximately thirty people attended the public hearing, which was held in the Metro Board Room.  Fifteen individuals or representatives of organizations provided input by the close of the public record on Monday, November 12, 2001.  Eight individuals gave oral testimony, one of these also submitted written remarks, and another seven respondents provided written comments only.  One of the written comments included a petition with five signatures.  

Summary of Public Comment

The public hearing addressed 8 line specific proposals.  Interested parties were invited to comment on the proposals involving the restructuring of these existing Metro services.  Appendix 1 summarizes the public comment received and includes staff responses to the input. 

Of the proposed route modifications or changes to the eight existing Metro services, the change involving alternative service delivery for Metro Line 18 by the Montebello Municipal lines from Whittier Boulevard and Garfield Avenue east, attracted the most attention.  Respondents generally opposed this proposal based on concerns regarding the acceptance of Metro passes, schedule frequency, and increased transfers from the segmentation of Line 18.

Revised Service Change Proposals and Impact on Ridership

Considering public input and the comments received regarding the impacts associated with the proposals presented at the public hearing, staff recommends that the lines be modified as described below.  Maps showing these proposed modifications are included in Attachment 1

Line 18 (West Sixth Street-Whittier Boulevard)

Staff recommends canceling the Line 18 segment east of the Montebello Metrolink Station.  Alternate service is provided by Montebello Bus Line 10. 

Approximately 2,840 riders would be required to transfer between Line 18 and Montebello Bus Line 10.  With the recent fare agreement executed between Montebello and Metro, Metro passes will be accepted on all Montebello services.  Cash fares on Montebello bus lines are 90 cents, 45 cents less than the $1.35 on Metro lines.  However, on a round trip basis involving an interagency transfer between Metro and Montello Bus Lines, cash riders would pay an extra five cents. 

Additionally, staff is working with Montebello Bus Lines to provide some additional late night and early morning service.  This will address the public’s concerns regarding compatible spans of service.  Metro will continue to provide late night service until this issue is resolved.

Line 56 (Los Angeles-Wilmington Avenue-Imperial Station)

Staff recommends the cancellation of Line 56.  Line 56 is a very poor performing line.  It has a subsidy per passenger that is over five times the system average and nearby alternate service is provided by the Metro Blue Line and existing Metro Line 55.   

Approximately 471 daily riders using Line 56 would be required to walk one to four blocks to either the Metro Blue Line or Metro Line 55.  Some of these riders may require a bus-to-bus or bus-to-rail transfer depending on their origin and destination. 

Line 58 (Alameda Street)

Line 58 is a Consent Decree Pilot Project line implemented in November 2000 serving Alameda Street between Patsaouras Transit Plaza and Washington Boulevard.  Performance has been disappointing with as few as 163 riders carried on a typical service day.  Staff’s revised recommendations propose minor headway adjustments to Line 58 and an experimental route modification in Downtown Los Angeles to serve the garment district and the Greyhound Bus Station.  It is hoped that this route modification will enhance ridership and improve the overall performance of the line.

Approximately 80 daily riders may have to wait up to 10 minutes longer for the Line 58.  The garment district and additional downtown streets will be served and potential new customers attracted. 

An evaluation would be conducted to review the performance of Line 58 six months after implementation.  Failure to achieve performance targets would trigger further remedial action.

Line 214 (South Broadway/Main Street Loop-Artesia Station)

Line 214 is a Consent Decree Pilot Project line implemented in October 2000.  Service operates between the Artesia Transit Center and Rosecrans Avenue serving both Broadway and Main Street.  Performance has been disappointing from a ridership standpoint.   Staff recommends the cancellation of weekend service and the extension of weekday service to the Harbor/I-105 Transitway Station.  Weekday peak hour headways will also be slightly adjusted.

Approximately 25 Saturday and 16 Sunday riders would be impacted with the cancellation of weekend service.  Some of the 69 riders on weekdays will have a longer wait of up to 5 minutes during the peak periods.  It is hoped that these recommended changes will enhance ridership and improve the overall performance of the line.

Line 378 (Los Angeles-Alhambra-South Arcadia) (Branch of Line 78)

Staff recommends the cancellation of Line 378.  There is little impact to riders since there are only three trips operated in the peak periods and the limited service is only two to four minutes faster than the local service over the entire route.  These trips will be converted into local Lines 78 and 79 trips so there will be no overall reduction in service. 

Line 379 (Los Angeles-Arcadia via Huntington Drive) (Branch of Line 78)

Staff recommends the cancellation of Line 379.  There is little impact to riders since there are only three trips operated in the peak periods and the limited service is only two to four minutes faster than the local service over the entire route.  These trips will be converted into local Lines 78 and 79 trips so there will be no overall reduction in service. 

Line 471 (Puente Hills Mall-Whittwood Center-Brea Mall)

Staff recommends the cancellation of Line 471 contingent upon alternate service being provided; or, lacking alternative service, staff recommends the shortening of Line 471 at the Los Angeles/Orange County Line.  Line 471 is a poor performing line that has a subsidy that is more than twice the system average.

There are approximately 875 total daily boardings on Line 471.  Under the first alternative, all riders would be required to use or transfer to another service.  Under the second alternative, approximately 500 riders would be required to transfer to or from the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Line 116.  These 500 riders would also have a financial impact since there is currently no fare agreement between the two agencies.  Both cash and pass riders would be required to pay the $1.00 Orange County Transportation Authority’s fare or also purchase their monthly pass for $37.50.

Line 491 Los Angeles-Sierra Madre via Santa Anita Avenue Express) (Branch of Line 487) Staff recommends the initial proposal to shorten Line 491 between the El Monte Busway Station and Sierra Madre.  Alternate service is provided by Metro Lines 484 and 490 and Foothill Transit service.

Currently, Line 491 operates between the El Monte Busway Station and Downtown Los Angeles during weekday peak periods only.  During non-peak periods and on weekends, service only operates between Sierra Madre and the El Monte Busway Station.  If the remainder of the service is shortened at the El Monte Busway Station, approximately 146 weekday riders would be required to transfer there to other Metro or Foothill Transit services to Downtown Los Angeles.  Cash riders would be required to pay an additional twenty-five cents for a transfer.

NEXT STEPS

Staff is proposing to implement the recommended service modifications described in this report either concurrent with the June 2002 Schedule Change Program or as soon thereafter as possible.  The exception to this may be Lines 58 and 214, which are contracted services and may be implemented as early as March 2002. 

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 – Maps of Proposed Service Modifications
Appendix 1 – Part 1:  Summary of Findings for FY 2002 Service Changes
Appendix 1 – Part 2:  Findings of November 10, 2001 Public Hearing

Prepared By:    Martha Butler, Transportation Planning Manager IV

________________________________
James L. de la Loza
Executive Officer
Countywide Planning & Development

_______________________________
Roger Snoble
Chief Executive Officer