The Metro Board has unanimously approved a motion by L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa that would protect all Tier 1 bus service — that is, major bus routes — for the rest of fiscal year 2011-12, which ends next July 1.
The motion also asks Metro staff to recommend five corridors for a bus rapid transit system. The type of BRT is not specified. Here’s the excerpt from the motion:
Direct the CEO to work with local jurisdictions to identify, analyze and recommend a minimum of five corridors in the County that can accommodate an effective Bus Rapid Transit system. The selection of the routes should include but not limited to the following:
- Ridership
- Station stops/spacing
- Physical attributes of routes & limited transfers
- Transfer convenience/demand
- Congestion and Level of Service levels
- General Public and community support
- Economic development opportunities around stations
- Partnerships with other transit agencies outside of the County
The CEO shall report back on the BRT system recommendations by the October 2011 MTA Board meeting.
Board Member Ara Najarian asked that once of the routes studied be a connection between the Orange Line terminus in North Hollywood and the Gold Line in Pasadena — a route that would go through Burbank and Glendale.
The motion also asks that Metro staff produce regular reports on several aspects of bus service, including crowding, cleanliness and on-time performance.
Categories: Policy & Funding
What exactly IS “Tier 1” bus service? I am guessing that it involves the buses running into or inside of the city of L.A.? If this is the case, then that explains why the MTA REFUSES TO IMPROVE SERVICE ON MTA BUSES THAT SERVE RIDERS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF L.A. (e.g. Lines 287 & 266!). As if the discrimination, and “step-child”-like service against MTA bus riders is not BAD ENOUGH!
“Board Member Ara Najarian asked that once of the routes studied be a connection between the Orange Line terminus in North Hollywood and the Gold Line in Pasadena — a route that would go through Burbank and Glendale.”
Looking at a map, I can already see a fairly “easy” Phase I to a project like that: North Hollywood to Burbank Town Center / Metrolink Station along the Chandler Bike Path, maybe. Past that though, it would definitely require more intensive work.