SANTA CLARITA : Bus Riders Don’t Plan to Take Train

Despite complaints about commuter bus service between Santa Clarita and Los Angeles, the majority of passengers do not plan to switch to the train when rail service between the two cities starts this fall.

But Santa Clarita transit officials, who conducted a bus ridership survey earlier this month, said Wednesday that they are confident other residents will ride the trains when service begins Oct. 26. Initially, three trains with room for about 1,800 passengers will leave Santa Clarita in the morning and return in the afternoon, with stops in Sylmar, Glendale and Union Station.

“The rail will bring in a different group of people than the bus riders, who are used to that particular mode of transportation,” said Mike Prior, a Santa Clarita transit consultant.

Commuters have complained since Santa Clarita took over the bus service in December about the lack of seats on Santa Clarita buses, which have an average daily ridership of about 250 passengers. But about 86% of the 177 riders who responded to a survey earlier this month said they do not plan to take the train, primarily because they would have to take another bus to get from Union Station to work and because the fare is more expensive.

Round-trip train fare is estimated to cost about $9, twice as much as the bus, Prior said. Monthly train passes will be available for about $150, but $85 for the bus. The 45-minute train trip is shorter and makes fewer stops than the hourlong bus ride, Prior said.