Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Transit-to-Trails Bus Service Pilot Program Approved

Metro Gold Line at Memorial Park Station (l) and Sam Merrill Trailhead in Altadena

The Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to partner with the City of Pasadena, the Trust for Public Land, Edison International and the Wilderness Society to implement a six-month pilot bus service in the unincorporated Altadena area.

The pilot service will connect the Metro Gold Line at Memorial Park Station with the Sam Merrill Trailhead in Altadena. Service would extend from April 7 to Sept. 30 on Saturdays and Sundays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“This exciting partnership expands access to open space recreation and provides another option to improve regional transit connectivity for our residents in the Altadena community,” Supervisor Barger said.

The popular Sam Merrill Trail provides access to exclusive areas in the San Gabriel Mountain Range. Funding for the county’s portion of the estimated costs would come from the supervisor’s Fifth District discretionary transit funds.

“This new service will provide a convenient transportation option to access this wonderful open space for the local and regional community. We are pleased to work with our partners on this project,” Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek said.

To celebrate the launch of the route, an event will be held at Memorial Park at 9 a.m. on April 7. Mayor Tornek and Supervisor Barger will attend.

“The Trust for Public Land is excited to partner with the City of Pasadena, Edison International, Supervisor Barger’s office and the Wilderness Society to increase access to the San Gabriels. Transit to open space projects are an important way to connect the short distances between our foothill cities and our local mountains,” Tori Kjer, Los Angeles Program Director said.

This new route, Pasadena Transit Route 88, will use clean fuel Compressed Natural Gas buses and serve stops along the route. Travel time to the trailhead is 23 minutes. Buses will leave every half hour from the northbound Raymond and Holly bus stop between 7:05 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The last bus will depart from the Trailhead at 5 p.m. For more route or schedule information, call (626) 744-4055 or visit www.pasadenatransit.net.

“Supervisor Barger, Mayor Tornek and their staff have made this process easy and are committing real money to make this project a success! We’re interested in working with more cities and municipalities to see this type of innovative program serve more communities,” said Daniel Rossman, California Deputy Director with the Wilderness Society and a Nature for All Coalition member.