RTD Will Hold Public Hearing on Route Changes, Other Programs

The Southern California Rapid Transit District wants to know what the public thinks about five major tests of bus, ticket and fare service it has conducted over the past several months.

The firm has scheduled a public hearing Dec. 13 at its downtown Los Angeles headquarters to seek comment on two route changes, a discount ticket book program, a joint pass program with Long Beach Transit and a reduced-fare plan for a section of the Metro Blue Line.

Under local and federal guidelines, the RTD must hold a hearing before conducting more tests or making the changes permanent. The hearing is set for 1 p.m. in the RTD Board of Directors Room, 425 S. Main St.

The RTD wants comment on:

* Line 635 Dodger Stadium Service, which was shifted to Grand Avenue and Olive Street from Spring and Los Angeles streets last April, penetrating more of the central part of downtown. The test service was operated until the close of the baseball season.

* Line 90-91, which was extended last July to provide new service to points in the northeast San Fernando Valley, including Olive View Hospital in Sylmar, plus some rerouting in Sunland.

* A discount ticket book program, started in August for corporate clients, with a book of 17 tickets at a reduced rate of 90 cents a ride. The RTD now offers the general public 10-ride ticket books for $9.

* The RTD-Long Beach Transit joint pass program, which allows transfers between RTD buses and the Blue Line and services provided by Long Beach Transit. The test was started in August.

* A 60-cent fare on the Blue Line for the downtown loop in Long Beach, applied to all stations south of and including Anaheim Station to promote ridership.