APPROVE PROPOSED CHANGES TO TIER I BUS SERVICE FOR DECEMBER 2010

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1 ~ Los Angeles County ~ M"'",poH',. T"",port,,;o. Auth..;" Metro 24 One Gateway Plaza Los Angeles, CA REVISED OPERATIONS COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 16, 2010 SUBJECT: ACTION: PROPOSED CHANGES TO TIER I BUS SERVICE APPROVE PROPOSED CHANGES TO TIER I BUS SERVICE FOR DECEMBER 2010 RECOMMENDATION Approve service changes to Tier I bus lines scheduled to be implemented effective December 12, 2010 (Attachment A). ISSUE The existing Governance Council Policy states that service changes to Tier I bus lines must be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors prior to implementation. The Governance Councils have reviewed the proposed service changes for December 2010, and staff is now seeking Board approval to implement the proposed changes. POLICY IMPLICATIONS The review process was conducted in accordance with the Governance Council Policy, and ensures that the proposed service changes are consistent with MTA's Operating Budget, agency plans, agency policy and federal requirements. OPTIONS The Board may decide to approve a subset or none of the recommended changes. However, this is not recommended as the proposals have been considered through the Governance Council Public Hearings, and lack of approval would have a negative impact on the FY11 Operating Budget. FINANCIAL IMPACT The proposed changes have been included in the FY11 proposed budget. If not implemented as presented, proposed service enhancements would either not be

2 implemented, or would require additional resources to be implemented. The impact would vary according to the specific proposals that were not approved. Impact to Bus and Rail Operating and Capital Budget The funding for implementing the proposed changes will come from various Enterprise Funds such as fare revenues, sales tax, and TDA4. The funds are eligible to be used for bus and rail operations. No other sources of funds were considered because the proposed changes will be implemented by reallocating the designated fund for bus operations. DISCUSSION Tier 1 service changes proposed for December 12, 2010 implementation include adjustments focused in the following areas: 1) Coordinate services to reduce duplication; and 2) Right size Metro Rapid corridors to meet service demand. The Tier 1 changes being proposed for December 2010 include modifications to the lines listed in Attachment A. A summary of changes for Tier 1 Lines is as follows: Coordinate Services to Reduce Duplication: As a function of improving productivity, cost effectiveness, and utilizing existing available capacity, MTA service planning staff has begun reviewing the route network to identify service duplication. The review of the service area includes: Identifying Tier 1 lines with parallel local service within % to ~ mile in each direction. Analyzing routes/route segments that are duplicated by Municipal Operators. Maximizing new rail lines by adjusting parallel local bus routes. Service on Line 287 (EI Monte Station to Indiana Gold Line Station) west of Atlantic BI on branch routes First St and Floral St meet the criteria for line segment cancellation. Both branch segments of the line are approximately % mile from Cesar Chavez BI, where Local Line 68 and Metro Rapid Line 770 operate a combined frequency of every 6 to 10 minutes. Comparatively, Line 287 operates every hour over each branch. Based on customer comments and to maintain good regional connections, Line 287 would be terminated at Montebello Towne Center, and the segment between Montebello Towne Center and East Los Angeles College would be replaced by select trips on Line 68. Service will operate seven days a week. This change will

3 improve travel for patrons destined to Montebello Towne Center by eliminating a transfer from Line 68 to Line 287 at Atlantic BI. and Riggen Riggin St. Right size Metro Rapid corridors to meet service warrants: The Metro Rapid program is now ten years old. Staff reviewed each Rapid line using five measurable criteria: 1. Round-trip running time should be 2D% faster than local bus times 2. Bus stop spacing should average D.7 miles 3. Rapid buses should be productive enough to justify operating every ten minutes in the peaks and 20 minutes in the base period 4. Boarding per revenue hour should be at least 8D% of the system average, which is approximately 52 boardings 5. Rapid average trip length should be at least 25% longer than the average local line trip length. As part of the review process, underlying local line patronage was reviewed. Where appropriate, service will be added to the local line to ensure overloads do not occur. Based on the five measurable criteria, the following Metro Rapid lines are proposed for modification or cancellation: Line 711 (Inglewood TC-Bell Gardens via Florence Av)- Discontinue service and replace with new Line 311 limited stop service. Line 714 (Downtown LA-Beverly Hills via Beverly BI)- Discontinue service and replace with enhancements to Line 14 service. Line 715 (LAX-Downey via Manchester Av, Florence BI)- Discontinue service and replace with enhancements to Line 115 service. Line 750 (Warner Center Transit Hub-Universal City Station via Ventura BI) Discontinue weekend service and replace with enhancements to Line 150 service. Line 753 (Downtown LA-lmperiallWilmington Station via Central Av)- Discontinue service and replace with enhancements to Line 53 service. Line 762 (Pasadena-Artesia Blue Line Station via Fair Oaks Av & Avalon BI) Discontinue Saturday service and replace with enhancements to Line 260 service. Line 780 (Pasadena - West Los Angeles via Colorado Blvd. & Hollywood Blvd.) Discontinue weekend service and replace with enhancements to Line 180 service. line 902 (Pacoima North Hollywood Station via Van Nuys BI, Burbank BI) This line has been operating as a demonstration line. This line will become permanent with minor changes to improve travel time and productivity. Service 'tvill be retained to only serve Rapid Stops along Van Nuys Blvd. Proposed Changes to Tier I Bus Service 3

4 Line 920 (Wilshire Rapid Express)- Discontinue service and replace with enhancements to Metro Rapid Line 720 service. While the Board is not required to act on changes to Tier 2 and 3 services, information is provided in Attachment A on changes to these lines. Detailed information on the proposals were presented at each of the five Governance Councils and are also available online at Public Outreach Consistent with Federal requirements and agency policy, the proposals have been reviewed by the public during hearings held on August 4, August 9, August 11, August 12, and August 13, The Notice of Public Hearing (Attachment A) was first published in the Los Angeles Times on Sunday, June 27, Additional notices were subsequently published in other local, regional, and foreign language newspapers system-wide. About 100,000 marketing take-ones were distributed on buses, trains, and at customer service outlets informing riders of the proposals under consideration. Rider bulletins were posted on all Metro buses. The Notice of Public Hearing was also posted on Metro's main website. During the month of July, Metro Service Planning staff set out over a two-week period to inform the riding public of upcoming service changes to be implemented in December, Information regarding five public hearings to be held in August was also provided, along with timetables and other transit information. Comment cards were also available at each location for those who might not be able to attend a public hearing. Service Planning staff provided information at 12 locations. Each location was staffed by two planners who were most familiar with the geographic service area. The following locations were visited either in the AM, PM or Base service period: Vermont/Prospect Harbor/105 Freeway Station Atlantic/Beverly Indiana Gold Line Station WilshireNermont Aviation Green Line Station Imperial Blue Line Station Washington/Fairfax Transit Hub Universal Red Line Station North Hollywood Red Line Station Florence Blue Line Station Firestone Blue Line Station Proposed Changes to Tier I Bus Service 4

5 In addition, Lines 607 and 608 were ridden to inform patrons of proposed changes. Due to the fact that neither of these two lines serves a major transit hub or station location, it was felt that riding the buses was the best outreach approach. In total, approximately 1,000 patrons were contacted at both transit hubs and stations or on buses. Summary of Public Input A combined 109 speakers provided comments at the Governance Council public hearing meetings. In total, over 426 comments were received via letters, facsimiles and s by August 31, the close of the public record. Three p Petitions were also received. Title VI Requirements Title VI of the Civil Rights Act requires that each major service change be reviewed to determine whether or not a disproportionately adverse impact may be imposed upon riders based upon ethnicity, household income, and/or English Language Proficiency. All disproportionately adverse impacts of the December 2010 service changes can be mitigated by alternative services. Attachment B summarizes the Title VI review for December 2010 Service Change. NEXT STEPS With Board approval, the service changes will be effective December 12, Staff will notify customers with on-board brochures describing service changes. Also, new timetables with schedule and route modifications will be available on MTA buses in early June. ATTACHMENTS A. Bus Service Changes Proposed for December 2010 B. Title VI Review Summary Prepared by: Conan Cheung, Deputy Executive Officer, Operations- Service Planning and Development Scott Page, Operations Planning Manager Proposed Changes to Tier I Bus Service 5

6 L~~~ Chief Operations Officer Arthur T. Leahy Chief Executive Officer Proposed Changes to Tier I Bus Service 5

7 ATTACHMENT A Tier 1 Bus Service Changes Proposed for December 2010 Line Line Name Proposed Service Change 68- Eagle Rock BI Cypress Av Discontinue Line 287 service west of Monterey Park via Cesar Chavez Montebello Towne Center. Extend select Av trips on Line 68 to replace service between 287- EI Monte- Indiana Gold Line 68/287 Atlantic BI and tg Montebello Towne Center. Station via Garvev Av Discontinue service and replace with 711 Inglewood TC - Bell Gardens via enhancements to Line 111 service with a Florence Av new Line 311 limited stop service. 714 Downtown LA - Beverly Hills via Discontinue service and replace with Beverly BI enhancements to Line 14 service. 715 LAX - Downey via Manchester Av., Discontinue service and replace with Florence BI. enhancements to Line 115 service. 750 Warner Center Transit Hub - Discontinue weekend service and replace Universal City Station via Ventura with enhancements to Line 150 service. BI 753 Downtown LA-lmperiallWilmington Discontinue service and replace with Station via Central Av enhancements to Line 53 service. 762 Pasadena - Artesia Blue Line Discontinue Saturday service and replace Station via Fair Oaks & Avalon BI with enhancements to Line 260 service. 780 Pasadena - West Los Angeles via Discontinue weekend service and replace Colorado Blvd. & Hollywood Blvd. with enhancements to Line 180 service. 902 This demonstration line will be made Pacoima No. Holly-Nood Station permanent 'A'ith minor changes to improve via Van Nuys BI, Burbank BI ; ~...",...I ~;... "" Discontinue service and replace with 920 Wilshire BI Rapid Express enhancements to Line 720. Tier 2 & 3 Bus Service Changes Proposed for December 2010 Line Line Name Proposed Service Change 168 Chatsworth Station via Lassen St & Paxton St Discontinue service. La Canada - Sierra Madre Villa 177 Gold Line Station via & Discontinue service. California BI & Walnut St 202 Willowbrook - Compton - Discontinue extra shortline AM and PM WilminQton peak trips service. Artesia Transit Center Broadway/Main St. Loop - Harbor Discontinue service. Fwy. Station 220 Beverly Center - Culver City via Robertson BI Discontinue service EI Monte Indiana Gold Line Discontinue service between Indiana Gold ~,;...,-., /I Line Station and Montebello TO't\'n Center. Proposed Changes to Tier I Bus Service 7

8 LAXlAviation Station - Downtown 439 LNUnion Station via LAX, Retain peak period service only and Westchester, Culver City & Los discontinue segment south of Fox Hills mall. Angeles 607 Circular-both directions: Inglewood Discontinue counter clockwise service, - Windsor Hills - InQlewood maintain clockwise service. 608 Crenshaw Connection Discontinue service. 620 Boyle Heights via Cesar Chavez Av & State St Discontinue service Green Line Shuttle World Way West via Imperial Hwy. Discontinue Line 626 and extend select 625/ Green Line Shuttle-LAX City Line 625 trips to Superior Court House Bus Center World Way West via service. Imperial Hwy Proposed Changes to Tier I Bus Service 8

9 Attachment B Title VI Summary Identified Alternate Services Line Description and/or Mitigations to proposed action 68/287 Extend to ne',\' terminal at Montebello Town Route 68 extension replaces service Center Discontinue Line 287 service west of formerly provided by Line Montebello Towne Center. Extend select trips corridor also served, in part, by Line on Line 68 to replace service between 770 Atlantic BI and tg Montebello Towne Center. Alternate service available from 168 Line cancelled segments of Lines 158, 167, 233, 761 & 902 Alternate service available from 177 Line cancelled segments of Lines 268, Gold Line, and Pasadena Arts Line 52 Impacts only northern half of line - service on the affected portion will operate on wider headways (approx. 202 Delete shortline trips every other trip would be eliminated) - alternate service provided by portions of Routes 28, 60, 205,232, LB 191, LB 192, LB193 and Metro Blue Line 214 Line cancelled Significant portions of route served by Lines 45, 52, 352 and Torrance 1 Impacts route portion north of 220 Line cancelled Olympic BI. Alternate service available Lines 105, 705 Removes service betv/een Montebello and Indiana GL Sta Shorten to new terminal at Montebello Town ~ service replaced by extension of Line Center 68, and is also served, in part, by Line 770 Alternate services available from Retain peak period service only and Routes14/37, 35, Culver City 1, 439 discontinue segment south of Fox Hills mall. Culver City 6, and Culver City 6 Line cancelled Rapid Clockwise service will still be available -other routes duplicating 607 Counter-clockwise service cancelled; segments of the affected route clockwise service retained include Lines 40, 42, 108, 110, 115,210,211,212,215,312,358, 710,715 & 740 Segments of affected service also 608 Line cancelled 620 Line cancelled served by Lines 40, 42, 102, 105, 206, 740, DASH Crenshaw & DASH Leimert Park/Slauson Segments of affected service also served by Lines 18, 30, 68, 71, 251, Proposed Changes to Tier I Bus Service 9

10 605, 720, 751 and Montebello 40 Segments of affected service also 626 served by Lines 117,120,232, Metro Line cancelled; portion retained in Green Line, Beach Cities Line 109, reconfigured Line 625 Culver City Line 6, Max Line 2, Torrance Line 2 New Line 311 limited stop service will Line cancelled Line cancelled be retained and augmented to serve displaced riders Line 14 service will be retained and auqmented to serve displace riders. 715 Line cancelled Line 115 service will be retained and auqmented to serve displaced riders 750 SA & SU cancelled Line 150 service will be retained and augmented to serve displaced riders 753 Line cancelled Line 53 service will be retained and augmented to serve displaced riders 762 SA cancelled Line 260 service will be retained and augmented to serve displaced riders 780 SA & SU cancelled Line 180 service will be retained and auamented to serve displaced riders 902 Make this demonstration line permanent Service will be retained to only serve n _:...J C'~,,_...,,..._~ \/"... "..~ 0,...J. 920 Line cancelled Line 720 service will be retained and auamented to serve displaced riders Proposed Changes to Tier I Bus Service 10