Post by nickv on Jul 20, 2007 19:47:32 GMT -8
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Details at: www.mta.net/images/sector_public_hearings_aug2007.pdf
......................
Okay, service change proposals are up for Metro bus service. Any suggestions? Support them? Oppose them? They're "your wheels"...
Based on past experiences, I think there is an effective way to present comments whenever transit agencies open a public hearing. I believe a good idea is to research and comment on many if not all the proposed changes and base the comments for the good of the whole community, not just yourself. Keep in mind as you write your comments that the bus lines need to maintain a good production/farebox recovery too. Also keep comments realistic in relation to budgeting and resources. Google Maps and Google Earth have helped me quite a bit in researching where bus routes go.
How do I comment on service change proposals? Take for example, Metro Line 460. This line is proposed to be restructured and realigned from Norwalk on south. Since the realignment makes the line appear to be more like a local line through OC, some travelers bound to/from LA would probably think "Isn't there a faster way to LA?". Also look at the present day timetable. We're approaching two hours for an end-to-end trip already during rush hour (about 90 minutes at other times). Now factor in less express service and more local service. Now we're talking over two hours for one end-to-end trip. Try maintaining at least a 95% on time performance with unpredictable LA/OC traffic. I think a good suggestion would be to say:
"Line 460: I support the street realignment, but I also suggest diverting select trips along Beach Bl to Artesia Bl to serve the Buena Park Metrolink Station. I oppose the proposal to eliminate service from the Fullerton Park & Ride as this transfer point is served by several OCTA bus lines. Also, due to the length of the proposed route (end-to-end trip in excess of over two hours during peak times), I also suggest that the line either have a short layover period or be split into two at the Norwalk Green Line Station to help improve on time performance."
I might reword/rewrite this suggestion as I wrote it out of the clouds with limited research, but hopefully you get the idea.
There's quite a bit of seeds planted here, and I think the suggestion sounds realistic. And that's just one line. If anybody has any thoughts on the other proposals, post them here if you like, but submitting them to Metro would be better.
.....................
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will hold public hearings in August 2007 to receive community input on proposed modifications to Metro’s bus service. Approved changes will become effective December 16, 2007 or later. Details of the hearing dates, times, and locations are:
WESTSIDE / CENTRAL SECTOR
August 8, 2007, 5 PM
La Cienega Tennis Center
325 So. La Cienega Bl
Beverly Hills
GATEWAY CITIES SECTOR
August 7, 2007, 7 PM August 9, 2007, 5 PM
Norwalk Arts & Sports Center The Gas Company
13200 Clarkdale Av 9240 Firestone Bl
Norwalk Downey
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY SECTOR
August 13, 2007, 6 PM
San Gabriel Valley Sector Office
3369 Santa Anita Av
El Monte
Interested members of the public are encouraged to attend the upcoming hearings and provide testimony on any service change proposal (public comment will not be restricted to only bus routes operating in one geographical area). All public comment received will be forwarded to the responsible Sector Governance Council, and considered prior to taking action on the service change proposals. Persons unable to attend the hearings may submit written testimony postmarked through August 13, 2007. All ritten
testimony should be addressed to:
Metro Customer Relations
One Gateway Plaza, 99PL4
Los Angeles, CA 90012-2932
Attn: Dec. 2007 Service Changes
Comments can also be sent via e-mail with, “December 2007 Service Changes”, as the subject to:
customerrelations@mta.net
Facsimile at: 213-922-6988
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Details at: www.mta.net/images/sector_public_hearings_aug2007.pdf
......................
Okay, service change proposals are up for Metro bus service. Any suggestions? Support them? Oppose them? They're "your wheels"...
Based on past experiences, I think there is an effective way to present comments whenever transit agencies open a public hearing. I believe a good idea is to research and comment on many if not all the proposed changes and base the comments for the good of the whole community, not just yourself. Keep in mind as you write your comments that the bus lines need to maintain a good production/farebox recovery too. Also keep comments realistic in relation to budgeting and resources. Google Maps and Google Earth have helped me quite a bit in researching where bus routes go.
How do I comment on service change proposals? Take for example, Metro Line 460. This line is proposed to be restructured and realigned from Norwalk on south. Since the realignment makes the line appear to be more like a local line through OC, some travelers bound to/from LA would probably think "Isn't there a faster way to LA?". Also look at the present day timetable. We're approaching two hours for an end-to-end trip already during rush hour (about 90 minutes at other times). Now factor in less express service and more local service. Now we're talking over two hours for one end-to-end trip. Try maintaining at least a 95% on time performance with unpredictable LA/OC traffic. I think a good suggestion would be to say:
"Line 460: I support the street realignment, but I also suggest diverting select trips along Beach Bl to Artesia Bl to serve the Buena Park Metrolink Station. I oppose the proposal to eliminate service from the Fullerton Park & Ride as this transfer point is served by several OCTA bus lines. Also, due to the length of the proposed route (end-to-end trip in excess of over two hours during peak times), I also suggest that the line either have a short layover period or be split into two at the Norwalk Green Line Station to help improve on time performance."
I might reword/rewrite this suggestion as I wrote it out of the clouds with limited research, but hopefully you get the idea.
There's quite a bit of seeds planted here, and I think the suggestion sounds realistic. And that's just one line. If anybody has any thoughts on the other proposals, post them here if you like, but submitting them to Metro would be better.
.....................
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will hold public hearings in August 2007 to receive community input on proposed modifications to Metro’s bus service. Approved changes will become effective December 16, 2007 or later. Details of the hearing dates, times, and locations are:
WESTSIDE / CENTRAL SECTOR
August 8, 2007, 5 PM
La Cienega Tennis Center
325 So. La Cienega Bl
Beverly Hills
GATEWAY CITIES SECTOR
August 7, 2007, 7 PM August 9, 2007, 5 PM
Norwalk Arts & Sports Center The Gas Company
13200 Clarkdale Av 9240 Firestone Bl
Norwalk Downey
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY SECTOR
August 13, 2007, 6 PM
San Gabriel Valley Sector Office
3369 Santa Anita Av
El Monte
Interested members of the public are encouraged to attend the upcoming hearings and provide testimony on any service change proposal (public comment will not be restricted to only bus routes operating in one geographical area). All public comment received will be forwarded to the responsible Sector Governance Council, and considered prior to taking action on the service change proposals. Persons unable to attend the hearings may submit written testimony postmarked through August 13, 2007. All ritten
testimony should be addressed to:
Metro Customer Relations
One Gateway Plaza, 99PL4
Los Angeles, CA 90012-2932
Attn: Dec. 2007 Service Changes
Comments can also be sent via e-mail with, “December 2007 Service Changes”, as the subject to:
customerrelations@mta.net
Facsimile at: 213-922-6988