Metro - File #: 2016-0249

• File #: 2016-0249
• Type: Informational Report
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 3/18/2016
• In control: System Safety, Security and Operations Committee
• On agenda: 5/19/2016
• Title: RECEIVE AND FILE status report on Motion 63 - Review of Potential North/South Metro Express Routes (Foothill Extension Express Bus Connection).
• Indexes: Budget, Budgeting, Bus Acquisitions, El Monte, Gateway Cities (Southeast LA County) Service Sector, Gateway Cities subregion, Gold Line Foothill Extension 2A, I-605, Informational Report, Light rail transit, Long Beach, Metro Busway J Line, Metro Gold Line, Metro Green Line, Metro Rail A Line, Metro Silver Line, Metrolink, Motion / Motion Response, Norwalk, San Gabriel, Terminal 19

Meeting_Body
SYSTEM SAFETY, SECURITY AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
MAY 19, 2016

Subject/Action
SUBJECT: FOOTHILL EXTENSION EXPRESS BUS CONNECTION
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE

Heading
RECOMMENDATION

Title
RECEIVE AND FILE status report on Motion 63 - Review of Potential North/South Metro Express Routes (Foothill Extension Express Bus Connection).

Issue
ISSUE
The recent opening of the Foothill Extension of the Metro Gold Line has prompted interest in reviewing transit alternatives that could connect the Long Beach area, Norwalk, and El Monte with the rail line. Motion 63 directed staff to review a potential north/south Metro express bus line connecting a number of destinations providing linkages to the Gold Line.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension provides rail access to a number of higher demand locations such as City of Hope, Azusa Pacific University/Citrus College and more. Staff evaluated the potential for higher speed bus service from Long Beach to directly connect with the Gold Line.

Metro Express Line 577 currently operates Monday through Friday from the Long Beach VA Hospital to El Monte Station, via the I-605, serving Norwalk Metro Green Line Station, Rio Hondo College, and El Monte Station. Service operates from 5:30AM to 10:00PM, every 40 to 50 minutes.

The line performs poorly; ridership averages 850 daily boardings, 90% of these boardings are between Norwalk and El Monte. The average boardings per hour is 14, while the system average is 48. The Route Performance Index is 0.45, well below the 0.60 system minimum considered for maintaining a line.

Based on the motion to connect Long Beach with the new Metro Gold Line Foothill extension to Azusa, staff evaluated expanding and modifying the existing Line 577 route and service. To serve the destinations listed in the motion (Long Beach, Orange County connections, Metro Green Line, Metrolink, El Monte Station and Metrolink, and the Metro Gold Line), a new route ...