Significant changes to Arcadia Transit System include ending the dial-a-ride service and switching to fixed route system. The dial-a-ride program will remain in service to seniors and the disabled.
First Transit, Inc. takes over the city's dial-a-ride system, which has been operated by Southland Transit for the last 30 years. The city is transitioning from a dial-a-ride to a full service transit system. The contract with First Transit is $8,248,078 for 5 years.
Arcadia Transit launches expanded shuttle service with three fixed routes starting June 16. It will also operate as a Dial-a-Ride service for senior citizens and the disabled. Arcadia Transit has served the community since 1975.
Changes for Arcadia Transit's Dial-a-Ride. The new two-tiered system reserves the Dial-a-Ride for senior citizens and the disabled, while three new fixed routes will serve the general public. Includes history of Dial-a-Ride in Arcadia.
Mark Holland took the top prize in the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) "roadeo" (yes, roadeo) driving competition at the Santa Anita Park Park race track parking lot.
Arcadia Dial-a-Ride service to return to seniors, disabled after years of students "monopolizing" the service. On July 1, the fare will increase from 25 cents to 50 cents per ride and will have new fixed routes. The Dial-a-Ride will be for seniors over 62 years old and riders who are disabled.
Rides are hard to find for seniors. Dial-a-Ride, meant for home-bound elderly, being misused shuttling school children. In 2014 consultant group IBI Group recommended three changes--new fixed routes for the general public, a shuttle service from the Metro Gold Line station to popular locations in the city, and a return to Dial-a-Ride service to seniors and disabled. The changes were planned to coincide with the Gold Line opening in march but after hearing concerns from students and parents, city officials agreed not to cut off the Dial-a-Ride service to the general public until the end of the school year.
Gold Line Extension for the phase from Azusa to Claremont is uncertain. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board has approved asking county voters to extend the Measure R half-cent sales tax for 30 years beyond its expiration date--without a strategy to fund the Gold Line Foothill Extension to Claremont. The Gold Line's 11.5 mile Pasadena-to-Azusa segment is already funded and scheduled for completion in 2015.
Transit agencies hope to get rolling again. As pandemic eases, some look to hire drivers in anticipation of ridership revival. Mitun Seguin, spokesperson with Transdev, the contractor operating Foothill Transit's Arcadia yard, said there are 8 driver openings there, bringing the total bus driver openings at Foothill Transit to 13, as of April 16.
If a 1948 plan by the Rapid Transit Action Group to salvage a portion of the Pacific Electric Red Car system had become a reality, Arcadia and Monrovia would have been enjoying the benefits of light rail transit for the last 54 years. Arcadia Weekly writer Charles Cooper provides historical information and rider statistics of the old rail lines.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved $10 million for the 24-mile Gold Line Foothill Extension that is going through Arcadia to Claremont. The money comes from Measure R.
House of Representatives appropriations bill to offer money for shuttle system to forest area. Nearly
$1 million will provide for project to local areas. US Forest Service planning a shuttle to Chantry Flat, a
forest site north of Arcadia and Sierra Madre, that links to trails and Sturtevant Falls.
Blue Line Construction Authority has changed the projected completion date for the Gold Line extension that would run from Pasadena through Arcadia, to Claremont. What was previously projected for a completion in 2008 is now projected for 2013.
The abandoned rail bridge over Colorado Boulevard in Arcadia will be removed because it could not accommodate the two-track light rail system and the Gold Line Construction Authority determined it was more efficient and cost effective to remove the structure than to widen it or add a second structure directly adjacent to the ole one. Bridge demolition was the first significant construction effort for Foothill Transit Constructors (FTC) and the alignment project. The Construction Authority will have three open houses in the next two weeks to update the community.
The county Metropolitan Transportation Authority will sell naming rights to all rail lines, bus lines, and transit stations, such as the Gold Line Monrovia Station (in photo) and Foothill Gold Line Arcadia Station (in photo). The Corporate Sponsorship/Naming Rights Program was approved by the Metro board. CEO Phil Washington wants to stretch revenue; board member objects to commercialization.
Elected officials from San Gabriel Valley foothill cities are angry after being told the second phase of the Gold Line Extension project (from Azusa to Claremont) will be given zero dollars from Measure R, despite an aggressive funding plan for other projects in Los Angeles, as proposed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). MTA staff wants to make permanent Measure R--the half cent sales tax passed by voters in 2008 that expires in 2039--to fund a list of transportation projects across the southland.
The Arcadia city council endorsed the construction of the second phase of the Gold Line as a light rail transit system. Grade level of the major street crossings was discussed.