Dana Gabbard

In 2000 the industry group for public transit agencies in California, the California Transit Association, held its Fall Conference and Expo at the Westin Hotel near LAX. I was invited to participate in a panel discussion about transit activists and our relationship with agencies, the legislature, regulatory entities etc. As a bonus I presented a list of 11 rules of transit advocacy.

Beyond the Leimert Park station drama that dominated coverage of the Metro Board meeting last Thursday there were other items of interest as reported by both Steve Hymon on The Source and myself here at Streetsblog.

As the modernization of Union Station continues, Metro is looking for a "local chef" willing to invest in a new restaurant in L.A.'s largest transit hub.

Metro is in the midst of addressing one of the last Transit Access Pass bugaboos beyond the fixes I described previously: the rather poor quality of service provided by Xerox, the vendor staffing the Regional TAP Service Center.

Families looking for a diversion for the kids (or grandkids) less pricey than Disneyland will rejoice to learn Saturday May 18th there will be occurring a once in a lifetime event that is guaranteed to make even the most squirmy youngster gleeful: an excursion on the Fillmore and Western Railroad in Ventura County aka "the Movie Trains" sponsored by the Pacific Railroad Society.

(Not sure what Dana is talking about? We're having a fundraiser on Saturday! In addition to a who's who of transit advocates we're going to party with LADOT GM Jaime De La Vega, Glendale City Councilman and Metro Board Member Ara Najarian, City Council Member Elect Mike Bonin, and "advocate of the year" Valerie Watson. Get details here or on Facebook. We're trying to get as many RSVP's together today for our caterer so think about it if you haven't already said, "YES!" RSVP to damien@streetsblog.org)

It is interesting that Steve Hymon reports that Metro Board member Diane Dubois asked for a staff report on fare restructuring at the last Metro Board meeting. My curiosity is piqued mostly because such a study is already underway. I know this from viewing the staff presentation on it made at the March 27, 2013 Metro Citizens' Advisory Council meeting.

In 2011 Don Sepulveda joined Metro as Executive Officer--Regional Rail. This Saturday at 2 p.m. he'll be the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of Southern California Transit Advocates. This is in downtown Los Angeles at the Angelus Plaza senior living complex, 255 S. Hill St. (1/2 block north of Grand Central Market), on the 4th floor. It is free and open to the public. After his remarks there will be a q&a session.