Local News in Brief : Drivers Union Fails to Block Transit Zone
An attempt by Southern California Rapid Transit District drivers and mechanics to block implementation of the Foothill Transit Zone, a rival transit agency for the San Gabriel Valley, was denied Friday by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eli Chernow.
Declaring that there was no immediate need for a stay against the transit zone’s start-up, Chernow said he will consider Wednesday an additional request by that United Transportation Union and the Amalgamated Transit Union for an injunction against the transfer of two RTD lines to Foothill Transit.
Union officials allege that the zone, which will contract with private bus companies for service, is an illegal dismantling of the RTD and threatens union jobs.
RTD and Foothill Transit are running buses on Lines 498 and 495, which provide commuter service to downtown Los Angeles. On Monday, however, Foothill Transit will become the sole operator on Line 498 and is slated to pick up Line 495 on Dec. 26.
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