Los Angeles, California (Jan 14, 2010) The City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) will hold six public hearings to allow riders and the public to provide comment on the proposed changes and reductions to LADOT Transit Services and the proposed increases in fares. These changes are being recommended from the detailed Line by Line Analysis that was conducted to address the significant budget shortfall of $350 million that is projected over the next decade for the City’s transit programs.

The analysis focused on underperforming Commuter Express and DASH routes with low ridership and those services that may be duplicative of other services provided by Metro and other carriers. The analysis also reviewed the operations of the Cityride and the Charter Bus Programs operated by the City, as well as the amount of City subsidy being used to support each City transit program. While the analysis identified cost savings through improved efficiencies, these savings will not yield the amount necessary to completely offset the shortfall and LADOT is proposing increasing fares on all its services.

“LADOT encourages everyone to contribute their inputs by participating in this process. Please visit us on the web, call or attend one of the public hearings” said Rita L. Robinson, LADOT General Manager. For a detailed description of the proposed changes and fare increases, interested parties can pick up a brochure on the bus, or go on line to ladottransit.com or to ladotlbl.tmdinc.net.

The public hearings will be held at the following six locations and times: West Los Angeles: Tuesday, February 16, 2010, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Henry Medina West L.A. Parking Enforcement Facility, Second Floor, Roll Call Room 11214 W. Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064

South Los Angeles:    Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. South Los Angeles Activity Center, Multipurpose Room 7020 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90003

Central Los Angeles: Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Caltrans Bldg., Community Center Conference Room 100 South Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

North & South Valley: Wednesday February 24, 2010, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Marvin Braude Constituent Service Center, Room 1B 6262 Van Nuys Boulevard, Van Nuys, CA 91401

Harbor:    Thursday February 25, 2010, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Cabrillo-Marina Community Center, Community Room 224 Whalers Walk, San Pedro, CA 90731

East: Wednesday, March 3, 2010, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Ramona Hall Community Center, Community Room 4580 North Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90065

Written and oral comments will be taken at the public hearings for consideration. Persons unable to attend one of the public hearings may still submit testimony, comments or suggestions until March 3, 2010 in one of the following ways:

By internet:    ladotlbl.tmdinc.net
By telephone message: 213-455-0880
By mail:    Philip Aker, Hearing Officer
LADOT 201
North Los Angeles St., #18B
Los Angeles, CA 90012
By email:    hearingofficer@store.ladottransit.com

At the close of the public hearing period on March 3, 2010, LADOT will formulate the final set of recommendations to submit to the Los Angeles City Council for approval. Once approved by the Los Angeles City Council, the changes will go into effect on July 1, 2010.
LADOT is dedicated to moving Los Angeles forward as quickly and safely as possible.

Drivers, bus riders, bicyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to visit LADOT’s website at www.ladot.lacity.org for information about DASH, Commuter Express, bicycling in the City and an array of transportation services.

Area commuters can visit the Department’s website for real-time traffic and parking facilities information. Real- time traffic reports are a product of LADOT, innovators of the Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control System (ATSAC) technology.
###