Shuttle Service Adds Fixed Route

A reconfigured shuttle service is offering residents improved access to the city’s shopping district and more convenient connections to Metrolink, city officials announced.

Under the new system, one of the city’s two low-cost Dial-A-Ride shuttle buses will operate on a fixed route during peak commuting hours. The change was made to coincide with train arrivals at the San Fernando-Sylmar Metrolink station, said Recreation and Community Services Director Ed Montan.

“Before, it was strictly demand-response. An appointment would be made, and the bus would come and get people,” Montan said. “We hope that this fixed-route system will take care of some of those riders during those times and that it will be used by commuters as well. We think it will make better use of bus hours.”

Started more than a decade ago, San Fernando’s Dial-A-Ride shuttle service currently charges residents 50 cents to be picked up at home and taken to shops or medical appointments. Senior citizens and handicapped riders pay only 25 cents.

The Dial-A-Ride system will continue, but one of the shuttles will be dedicated to the new fixed route about four hours per day.

As part of the new system, dubbed “Mission City Transit,” 53 signs have been put up around the city to alert residents to the new regularly scheduled stops, Montan said.

“This is an experiment,” Montan said. “If it helps us get more riders, then we will keep it.”

Medical trips may be scheduled up to one week in advance. Trips not scheduled 24 hours in advance are accepted on an “as-available” basis, officials said.

For more information about the new route, or to receive a Mission City Transit schedule, call (818) 366-4119.