Action Alert: Support Bus Rapid Transit and Our Bicycle Network!

Home / Action Alert: Support Bus Rapid Transit and Our Bicycle Network!

Updated July 26, 2019.

If your answer is “yes”…

Here are 2 simple actions you can take to be the change:

1. Share input with Metro on BRT!

Metro Los Angeles is in the midst of studying options for a new, high-quality, “Bus Rapid Transit” (BRT) line connecting the communities of Pasadena, Eagle Rock, Glendale, Burbank, and North Hollywood. Implementation of the new service is fully-funded and planned to be high-frequency (i.e. buses at least every 10 minutes). You can see a video about the project here, and a corridor map here.

At this stage, public input and support is critical if the new line is to be convenient and comfortable. Unlike the Metro 501 bus, which is largely routed along the 134 freeway (and therefore misses many destinations along the corridor), the proposed project would mainly be on City streets in order to connect each community’s downtown district. Here’s how you can participate.

A. SIGN A PETITION supporting Bus Rapid Transit on Colorado Boulevard through Eagle Rock.

Time: 2 min, via Change.org

Equitable Eagle Rock is advocating for a quality BRT route on Colorado in Eagle Rock that would include just about everything: bus lanes, bike lanes, pedestrian improvements, grassy medians and trees, parking, business support, and of course, equitable access for the entire community! They’ve also put together a nice FAQ that addresses some of the misconceptions about the project and their position.

Petition: Support a More Sustainable Colorado Boulevard for Eagle Rock!

B. EMAIL METRO with your input (UPDATE: Extended to August 15, 2019).

Time: 5-10 min

Your comments can have an impact in determining how Metro decides to implement BRT across LA, as long as you send them to Metro staff and area Board Directors by August 15, 2019.

To:

Sample E-Mail Body (personalize it!)

Dear Metro Staff and Board Directors,

As someone who shops, dines, and visits communities along the project corridor including [Eagle Rock, Glendale, Burbank, etc], I support the development of high-quality transit service connecting the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys.

[Please personalize: why does better transit service matter to you?]

Frequent service (every ten minutes or less), shaded stations, and dedicated bus lanes along city streets are key components to making "Bus Rapid Transit" convenient and comfortable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. The use of all of these components - in tandem - is critical for the proposed line to be successful.

Cities around the United States including Boston, Seattle, and Las Vegas have realized successful BRT projects over the past decade, and witnessed the benefits of better buses firsthand. Many of these cities have also done so at low-cost, trying out bus-only lanes with cones and paint, measuring their impacts, and modifying them as needed. This project is an opportunity for Los Angeles County to learn from others as well as act on its commitment to sustainable mobility, clean air, and public health.

[Add any suggestions that would make BRT better for you.]

I urge you to give BRT a chance to succeed with convenient service, a great user experience, and dedicated busways on City streets.

Thank you for your time,

C. Attend the next community engagement meeting in Eagle Rock

Time: 1-2 hrs

Metro has scheduled an additional community meeting in Eagle Rock for the evening of August 7.

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Occidental College, Samuelson Pavilion
1600 Campus Road
Los Angeles, CA 90041

In response to concerns about the format of the previous meetings Metro has announced that the August 7 meeting will be an open house, where attendees can speak one-on-one with Metro staff or submit written comments.

Amplify your impact by letting others know about the petition and this project.

More Resources/Information

Metro’s project website
StreetsblogLA: Metro Bus Lane Projects Need Support
Airtalk (July 17, 2019): Proposed Bus Rapid Transit Line From North Hollywood To Pasadena Has Divided Eagle Rock Residents

2. Take our bike survey!

Time: 10 min, Biking in Pasadena Survey

The City can’t fix what’s wrong or unsafe about biking in Pasadena if they don’t know what the problems are. We’re collecting information about people’s riding experiences in Pasadena. Your stories will be shared with City staff to identify pain points and to push for data-driven solutions.

Take the survey: tinyurl.com/pasadena-bike-survey.

Do you believe the future of transportation in Pasadena and LA should be multi-modal?