METRO GATEWAY CITIES GOVERNANCE COUNCIL
OCTOBER 9, 2003
SUBJECT:
FY 2004 SERVICE CHANGES FOR METRO GATEWAY CITIES
SECTOR LINES 125, 128 AND 130
ACTION:
ADOPT SERVICE CHANGES
RECOMMENDATION
A. Receive results of public hearing held on September 11, 2003 concerning service
modifications proposed for FY 2004 (Attachment B);
B. Adopt Revised 2004 Gateway Cities Service Program (Attachment C).
ISSUE
To comply with federal public hearing requirements and adopted MTA policy, the Council
is required to conduct public hearings whenever major changes in bus service are proposed
to be implemented. The Council is required to solicit and consider public input on these
matters and to consider the possible impacts these changes may have on the community
prior to approving changes of this magnitude. The proposed changes to Contract Services
proposed for implementation in October of this year meet these requirements. Staff has
prepared the necessary documentation in this report to satisfy this regulatory mandate.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
The purpose of the public hearing was to receive public testimony on major service
changes proposed for contract bus lines operated by the Gateway Cities Service Sector.
These changes in service are necessary to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of
our operation and to ensure a balanced budget this fiscal year. Collectively, unproductive
lines, periods of service and days of service are proposed to be discontinued. The transfer
of service to other operators is also proposed in some cases.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Governance Council may choose to either: (1) modify and adopt any subset of the
proposals; or (2) take no action. These options are not recommended as they could result in
high operating costs and failure to achieve optimal savings anticipated in the FY 2004
budget. Staff’s recommendations consider and acknowledge input received from the
public.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The original service plan has been revised to address issues raised by the community
during the public review of the service proposals. The revised plan for Lines 125
(Rosecrans Ave) and 130 will save 8,048 revenue hours for the balance of the year, and
save an estimated $384,000 in operating costs. Attachment C provides additional details on
the saving plan.
BACKGROUND
The MTA is proposing to implement modifications to 17 contract lines and several MTA
directly operated services later this year. These service changes are necessary to improve
the efficiency of the MTA’s bus operations, and to operate within the FY 2004 budget
Five public hearings were conducted by the MTA during the month of September to
receive community input on these matters. Each service sector hosted one hearing in each
of their respective areas. The governing council for each sector presided at these hearings
except for the Westside Sector, which was conducted by a hearing officer at the MTA
headquarters building in downtown Los Angeles.
Legal notice of the public hearings was first published on August 3, 2003. Additional
notice was subsequently published in other local and regional newspapers systemwide,
including foreign language publications. In addition, about 300,000 rider take-one
brochures were distributed on area bus lines and at customer service centers informing the
public about the hearing date and the changes under consideration. This information was
also available on the MTA website. Attachment A shows the legal notice and the service
proposals under consideration.
The lines proposed for change have very low ridership and require a high subsidy to
maintain. Most rank within the top 20 as the worst performing lines in the system. The
proposed adjustments to these lines would reduce or eliminate service on unproductive
routes, periods of service or days of service, and result in a more prudent use of limited
taxpayer subsidy for the bus system. Attachment E shows the relative performance of these
lines compared to each other and the system as a whole.
Results of September 11, 2003 Public Hearing
The Gateway Cities public hearing was held on September 11, at 6 pm at Progress Park,
located in the City of Paramount. At the public hearing staff reviewed the entire program
of service changes with the public, and comment was invited on any line. It was noted that
contract Line 125 (Rosecrans Ave), Line 128 (Alondra Blvd) and Line 130 (Artesia Blvd)
all operate within the Gateway Cities Sector, and the sector governerning council would
render a decision on these lines at their next meeting in October.
The public was also informed that comments received on bus lines operating in other
sectors would be forwarded to the governing councils of those sectors who, like the
Gateway Council, would make a decision at their next meeting in October.
Summary of Public Comment
A total of 27 individuals, elected officials and agencies submitted written and oral
testimony on contract Lines 125, 128 and 130 by September 19, 2003, the close of the
official public record. The original deadline for public comment was September 11.
However, due to the great interest the contract line proposals generated, the comment
period was extended one week so that the public had additional time to comment on these
matters.
About twenty persons attended the Gateway Cities public hearing. Eight of those in
attendance presented oral testimony directly to the governance council. The general
sentiment expressed by the public was these changes would pose hardships on the transit
dependent population, because direct replacement service may not be available where lines
or days of service are cancelled, riders would have longer wait times between buses, some
would have added transfers and walk distances. They requested that service be retained on
these lines, not reduced or eliminated.
Comments received from the Bus Riders Union at Joint Working Group meetings to
discuss these and the other changes in the service program echoed the same concerns.
Line125 (Rosecrans Ave)
Nine people commented on this line. Six of these opposed the reduction of the midday
service on weekdays and all day on weekends. One person supported the reduction of
service for all days. One person supported the transfer of the eastern segment to Norwalk
Transit, providing connections could be assured between the two agencies. Another
opposed the transfer of service.
Line 128 (Alondra Blvd)
Eight respondents submitted comments. Virtually all opposed the cancellation of the
midday service, citing lack of direct replacement service, and no service to Cerritos
College. The mayor of the City Paramount was one of those opposing this change. One
respondent suggested the line operate hourly and be extended to Orange County
Line 130 (Artesia Blvd)
Ten people commented on this line. All but one opposed the discontinuation of service east
of Cerritos Mall, citing lack of direct replacement service. Some of those opposing the
change for this line also suggested consideration be given to having free transfers between
MTA and OCTA should the change be approved. A timed transfer between the MTA and
OCTA was also suggested to be established at the Cerritos Mall.
Attachment B summarizes the public testimony received on these lines. The comments are
arranged by line number. Staff has responded to each comment as shown in Exhibit 1.
Proposed Revisions to Original Proposal
Based upon the community response received during the public review of these proposals,
staff proposes to modify the original service plans for Lines 125 and 128 to mitigate issues
raised by the public and other considerations. The recommended modifications are
summarized below and listed in Attachment B. Maps of the affected lines are included in
Attachment D.
Line 125
 Revise to operate 30 minute headway during weekday base period instead of
hourly;
 Revise to operate 30 minute headway all day on Saturday instead of hourly;
 Maintain original proposal to operate hourly all day on Sunday; and
 Maintain original proposal to transfer eastern segment of line to Norwalk Transit.
Line 128
 Withdraw proposal to cancel midday service on weekdays. Recent rider survey
indicates ridership demand is higher than previously estimated.
Line 130
 Maintain original proposal to discontinue service east of Cerritos Mall, seven days
a week. Recent rider survey provides additional support for staff recommendation
to cancel line segment.
Impact on Ridership
Attachment B also provides an assessment of the possible impacts the recommended
service plan may have on riders of these lines.
For riders of Line 125 the impact amounts to a slightly longer wait time for buses on
weekdays (base period) and Saturday (all day), estimated to be on average about 5 minutes,
since service would operate every 30 minutes rather than 25 minutes. On Sundays the wait
time would increase between 15-30 minutes since service would decrease from every 30
minutes to hourly.
Line 128 riders would not experience any impact whatsoever since the original proposal to
cancel the midday operation on weekdays is recommended to be withdrawn from
consideration based on new ridership information.
Most riders (89%) of Line 130 are not affected by the proposed cancellation of the eastern
segment of the line from Cerritos Mall to Fullerton. Recent ridership information suggests
about 350 boardings are potentially impacted. OCTA Line 30 is an alternative service for
most. This line connects with Line 130 at Fullerton Park-Ride and at Cerritos Mall. It
operates about one mile south of Artesia at other points along the route. Average walk
distance for some riders boarding OCTA along the middle of the route is estimated to be
.50 mile. Transfers between MTA and OCTA are free for pass users. Most riders of Line
130 use a pass and are, therefore, not affected.
NEXT STEPS
Upon approval of the recommendations, staff will proceed to prepare plans to implement
these changes effective October 26, 2003 or later.
ATTACHMENTS
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Public Hearing Notice
Summary of Public Comment/Staff Response/Impact Statement
Estimated Revenue Hour Savings
Maps Lines 125, 128, and 130
Performance of Bus Lines Proposed For Service Reductions
Prepared by: Rich Rogers, General Manager, Gateway Cities Sector
Dan Nguyen, Service Development Manager
Michael Sieckert, Planning Manager
ATTACHMENT A
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Gateway Cities Service Sector
The MTA’s Service Sector Governing Councils will hold a series of public hearings in September 2003 *. The purpose of the upcoming public
hearings is to receive public comment on proposed changes to MTA bus service operating in those areas. The public hearings will be held at the
locations and times shown at the end of this notice. Approved changes will become effective on October 26, 2003 or later.
These hearings are being held in conformance with federal public hearing requirements outlined in Section 5307 (d) 1 of Title 49 U.S.C., and
public hearing guidelines adopted by the MTA’s Board of Directors in 1993, as amended.
The affected bus lines and service proposals under consideration are listed below. Also shown is the service sector (s) the line operates in..
Adjustments to these services are recommended to be implemented because they carry few passengers and require a high public subsidy
to operate.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO MTA CONTRACT SERVICE
LINE
LINE NAME
SECTOR
58
Alameda St-Los Angeles St
WS / GW
96
Los Angeles-Burbank-Sherman Oaks
SFV
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED
SERVICE CHANGE
Cancel all weekend service; cancel mid day, early evening, and early morning trips on
weekdays. Weekday peak hour service is not affected.
Operate hourly service on weekends, and during the midday on weekdays.
Rosecrans Ave
SB / GW
Operate hourly service on weekends and during the midday on weekdays. Service from
Norwalk Station to La Mirada canceled and assumed by Norwalk Transit Line 5.
128
Alondra Bl
SB / GW
Cancel midday service on weekdays.
130
Artesia Bl
SB / GW
End route at Cerritos Mall. Discontinue service east of Cerritos to Fullerton.
167
Plummer St-Coldwater Cyn Ave
SFV
Cancel Saturday and Sunday service.
LaCanada-Pasadena-Monrovia-Duarte
SGV
Cancel service between Old Town Pasadena and Jet Propulsion Laboratory; replaced by
Glendale Bee Line.
125
177
LINE
218
LINE NAME
SECTOR
Cedars Sinai Medical Ctr- Laurel Cyn
SFV / WS
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGE (Contract Lines Continued)
Cancel Saturday and Sunday service, and midday service on weekdays.
225
LAX-Palos Verdes Peninsula-San Pedro
SB
Cancel weekday and Saturday service
226
Palos Verdes –Palos Verdes Drive West
SB
Cancel weekday and Saturday service
254
Willowbrook-Huntington Park-City Terrace SB / GW / SGV Cancel Saturday and Sunday service
256
Eastern Ave-Avenue 64-Hill Ave
SB / SGV
Operate hourly service during midday on weekdays
270
Monrovia-El Monte-Norwalk
SGV / GW
Cancel Sunday service
608
Crenshaw Connection
SB
Cancel weekday and Saturday service
625
Aviation Station Shuttle-City Bus Center
SB
Cancel weekday service
626
Mariposa –Nash Station Shuttle
SB
Cancel weekday service
646
City Nightline
SB
Cancel weekday, Saturday and Sunday service
PROPOSED CHANGES TO OTHER MTA LINES
LINE
LINE NAME
SECTOR
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGE
250
Boyle-State
SGV
Cancel weekday, Saturday and Sunday service
253
Euclid-Evergreen
SGV
Cancel weekday, Saturday and Sunday service
471
Puente Hills-Whittwood-Brea Malls
SGV
Cancel weekday, Saturday and Sunday service
620
Boyle Heights Shuttle
SGV
Add early morning service on weekdays beginning at 6 am
751
Soto Rapid Bus
SGV
Establish new rapid bus line along Soto Street Corridor
119-126 108th St-Yukon Ave-Manhattan Beach
SB/GW
Cancel weekday service
Additional details about these proposals will be available for public inspection after August 18, 2003. To obtain this information contact the
address listed below, or visit your nearest MTA customer service center. Information can also be accessed at: www.mta.net
These proposals may be approved in whole or in part at a date following the public hearing. Interested members of the public are encouraged to
attend the upcoming hearing and provide testimony on these matters. Persons unable to attend the hearing may submit written testimony through
September 11, 2003. All written testimony will be transmitted to the Gateway Cities Sector for inclusion in the public record.
Correspondence should be addressed to:
LACMTA
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012-2932
Attn: Gateway Cities Service Sector
September 2003
Public Hearing For Contract Lines and Other Service Changes
Comments can also be sent via:
o e-mail to: customerrelations@mta.net
o Facsimile at: 213-922-9594.
LOCATION AND DATE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS BY SERVICE SECTOR
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY SECTOR (SGV)
San Gabriel Valley Sector Office (Next to El Monte Station)
3369 Santa Anita Ave
El Monte, CA 91731
Tuesday, September 2, 2003
6:00 pm
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SECTOR (SFV)
Marvin Braude Constituent Service Center
6262 Van Nuys Blvd
Van Nuys, CA 91401
Wednesday, September 3, 2003
6:30 pm
SOUTH BAY SECTOR (SB)
Carson Community Center
801 East Carson Street
Carson, CA 90745
Tuesday, September 9, 2003
6:00 pm
GATEWAY CITIES SECTOR (GW)
Progress Park
15500 Downey Ave.
Paramount, CA 90809
Thursday, September 11, 2003
6 :00 pm

(Hearing officer will preside)
WESTSIDE CENTRAL SECTOR (WS) *
MTA Headquarters Building
One Gateway Plaza
Gateway Plaza Room, 3rd Floor
Los Angeles CA 90012
Thursday, September 11, 2003
6:00 pm
ATTACHMENT B
SUMMARY PUBLIC COMMENT/STAFF RESPONSE/IMPACT STATEMENT
OVERVIEW
On Thursday, September 11, 2003 the Gateway Cites Governing Council conducted a public hearing to receive public testimony on
major service changes proposed for 17 contract lines and seven other MTA services. The Gateway hearing was one of five public
hearings held in September by the sector councils to obtain public input on this matter. It was noted that Line 125 (Rosecrans Ave),
Line 128 (Alondra Blvd) and Line 130 (Artesia Blvd) operate within the Gateway Cites Sector and that the Gateway Cities Governing
Council has responsibility for the operation of these lines. Further, the council would decide the outcome of the proposed changes to
these lines at their next meeting in October. Similarly, decisions on the remaining lines in the program were to be made in October by
the governing councils for lines operating within their service sectors. Comments received on other lines outside the Gateway Cites
area have been forwarded to the respective sector council for consideration.
The initial deadline for public comment was September 11, however, because of the great community interest in this matter the
comment period was extended one week to allow for additional testimony on the entire program of service changes. A total of
27individuals, elected officials and agencies submitted written and oral testimony on Lines 125, 128 and 130 by September 19, the
official close of the public record. This number includes the oral testimony of eight individuals who testified at the Gateway public
hearing. Of the public comment received, Line 125 generated nine responses. Line 128 had eight responses. Line 130 received ten
responses. The table below provides a brief summary of the comment obtained on the Gateway Sector lines.
LINE #
LINE NAME
MTA PROPOSAL
125
Rosecrans Ave
Operate hourly
service on weekdays
during the midday
NUMBER OF
COMMENTS
Oppose: 6
SUMMARY OF PUBLIC
COMMENTS AND ISSUES
Have to wait longer for bus during
midday. Added travel time.
Support: 1
Supports staff proposal
STAFF RESPONSE
Revise proposal for midday weekday service.
Recommend line operate 30 minute headway
during time noted instead of hourly, as
originally proposed.
Conditional: 0
Operate hourly
service all day on
Saturday and Sunday
Oppose: 6
Support: 1
Have to wait longer for bus on
weekends. Added travel time.
Supports staff proposal
Revise proposal for Saturday only.
Recommend service operate 30 minutes all day
on Saturday instead o hourly. Implement
hourly service all day on Sunday as originally
proposed due to low Ridership.
Conditional: 0
Transfer segment to
Norwalk Transit
Oppose 1
Not in best interests of MTA to
transfer segment to Norwalk.
Implement transfer of segment to Norwalk
Transit. Segment currently operated by
Norwalk Line 5. Change completes transfer of
service as recommended in SABRE study.
Conditional: 1
Need to ensure connections with
Norwalk 5
Staff will work with Norwalk to coordinate
schedules to the fullest extent possible.
Impact on Ridership
Approximately, 1100 Saturday, 1000 Sunday
and 600 weekday patrons riders may be
affected by the proposed change. Patrons
would be required to wait about 5 minutes
more on weekdays and Saturdays due to
slightly reduced headways. Sunday riders will
have an added wait on average of 15 minutes
due to the schedule change. No additional
impact is expected to result from the segment
transfer because Norwalk now runs that portion
of the route.
128
Alondra Blvd
Cancel midday
service on weekdays
Oppose:
7
Don’t cut the service. No replacement
service during midday. Will require
long walks to alternative lines.
Connections to OCTA being broken.
No service to Cerritos College.
Support:
0
Supports staff proposal
Conditional: 1
Operate hourly; extend to Beach Blvd
The revised staff proposal for this line is to
withdraw the proposal and retain the current
service. Recent rider survey suggests higher
demand during midday than previously
estimated.
The extension will be considered by staff for
possible future change if it is effective and can
be implemented within current operating
budget for this line
Impact on Ridership
No impact to current riders. Proposal
withdrawn.
130
Artesia Blvd
Cancel route segment
from Cerritos Mall to
Fullerton Park Ride
Oppose:
9
Support:
0
Conditional: 1
No direct replacement service would
be left. Riders would have long walk
to alternative lines resulting in
increased travel times. Transfer
required for riders needing to ride
OCTA 30.
Implement original proposal without
modification. Results of recent rider survey
verify low demand east of Cerritos Mall.
OCTA operates between Fullerton Park Ride
and Cerritos Mall and connects with Line 130
at Cerritos Mall.. Some riders may need to
walk on average .50 mile to access OCTA 30 if
they are now boarding along middle segment of
route.
Have another operator take over
segment, or have free transfer between
OCTA and MTA, or timed transfer at
Cerritos Mall.
Staff has investigated this but have not been
able to secure interest due to low demand and
other issues. Free transfer not possible due to
different operator. Staff will work with OCTA
to maximize transfer connections to the fullest
extent possible.
Impact on Ridership :
Approximately 350 weekday boardings, 250
Saturday boardings, and 200 boardings on
Sunday may be affected. A transfer may be
required for up to 250 boardings at the Cerritos
Mall to continue travel to Fullerton. Pass riders
can transfer for free; cash riders may need to
buy day pass. OCTA 30 connects with Line
130 at Fullerton and Cerritos Mall. Average
walk distance for some mid-line riders
estimated to be .50 mile.
IMPACT STATEMENT
The following section summarizes the potential rider impacts that are estimated to result from this change. The impacts have been
grouped into four category’s: (1) social, (2) economic, (3) environmental and (4) energy. A general assessment of the impact was
provided for each category.
Social
The revised staff proposal for Line 125 is estimated to impact about 600 daily boardings , 1100 boardings on Saturday and about 1000
on Sunday. All of these riders will continue to be served by Line 125, however, they need to plan their trip more carefully. Weekday
and Saturday riders may have to wait about 5 minutes more than they did before. Sunday riders may have a 15 minute increase on
average. No additional impact is expected to result from the transfer of the eastern segment to Norwalk because they are now
providing that service for MTA under contract. Hence, those riders will not be affected.
Riders of Line 128 will not be impacted since the revised staff recommendation is to keep the current 45 minute headway intact and
not cancel the midday service.
About 350 weekday boardings, 250 Saturday boardings, and 200 Sunday boardings may be impacted by the cancellation of the route
segment on Line 130. Virtually all will have alternative service provided by OCTA line 30, which operates primarily on South St and
serves the Fullerton Park-Ride and Cerritos Mall. Some riders may need to walk .50 mile on average to access this line. Others will
have direct access at the Mall and park-ride. It is estimated that about 175-250 current weekday boardings may need to transfer
between MTA and OCTA at the Cerritos Mall.
Economic
There is no economic impact to riders of Lines 125 or 128. Riders of Line 130, however, may need to transfer between MTA 130 and
OCTA 30. Transfer can be purchased for 25 cents to continue eastbound travel. Pass holders are not affected. Cash riders traveling
westbound to Cerritos may need to purchase a day pass since OCTA does not issue transfers. Pass users traveling westbound are not
affected. Most impacted riders are pass users.
Environmental
These changes will have no significant impact on the air and noise quality in the region. Most impacted riders will continue to have
access to alternative bus service, albeit an added walk or wait may be required. A few existing riders accessing early morning or late
night trips may opt to use their private automobiles in lieu of public transit.
Energy
The staff proposals for these lines will have no negative impact on energy use in the region. The current levels of gasoline
consumption, for example, are not expected to be impacted since most affected riders will continue to have access to bus lines
operating in there communities.
ATTACHMENT C
RECOMMENDED SERVICE PLAN AND ESTIMATED REVENUE HRS SAVINGS GATEWAY CITIES SECTOR FY 04
LINE
125
EST. REVENUE HOUR SAVINGS
DAILY SAT. SUN.
ANNUAL
10.0
5.0
37.0
128
EST. REV. HRS.
IN FY 04
4,956
3,395
0
0
EST. COST
SAVINGS
IN FY 04
$162,179
Increase frequency of midday weekday from 20 to
30 minutes headway; Saturday from 25 to 30
minutes and 30 to 60 Sunday
No change recommended by the market research
survey
22.0
11.0
11.0
6,820
4,653
$222,274
TOTAL 32.0
16.0
48.0
11,776
8,048
$384,453
130
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED CHANGES
Eliminate service between Cerritos & Fullerton Park
& Ride, as original proposal
ATTACHMENT D
LINE MAPS
GATEWAY SERVICE SECTOR
SEPTEMBER 11, 2003 PUBLIC HEARING
FISCAL YEAR 2004 SERVICE MODIFICATIONS
ATTACHMENT E