Subject: Metro Bus Line 256 - Better than expected!

Some weeks ago, after Metro announced plans to cancel (as of next month) a critical bus line that serves the East Arroyo area of Northeast L.A. -- and the only public transportation for the communities of Hermon and Monterey Hills -- news was posted here that Councilmember Jose Huizar and staff had helped work out a compromise with the local Metro board. They had agreed to only cancel weekend service, and reduce somewhat the Mon.-Fri. bus runs.

Since then, additional dialogue with Metro and concerted efforts by our City representatives have resulted in even better than expected results (see following).

Thanks also go the the Arroyo Seco and LA32 Neighborhood Councils -- along with other community representatives -- for taking a stand against stranding or further inconveniencing many hundreds of seniors, students, non-drivers and others in the Northeast.

Joseph Riser


-----Forwarded Message-----

Sent: May 1, 2008 10:53 AM
Subject: Bus Line 256 - Please Distribute to interested Parties

Dear Neighbor,

I am pleased to inform you that through our collective efforts, Bus Line 256, which serves El Sereno and Hermon has been saved from elimination. Line 256 will continue to operate 7-days a week.

Bus Line 256 is a vital bus line utilized by approximately 2,000 riders everyday. It links El Sereno and Hermon to facilities and resources in
other parts of Los Angeles, as well as areas of Pasadena, Altadena, and the City of Commerce. Bus Line 256 is also the only bus line that provides residents access to two large senior living facilities, Cal State L.A., Pasadena City College, Wilson High School, Huntington Memorial Hospital, and to a number of other key public facilities.

Despite these facts, Metro's initial recommendation was to completely eliminate this line, which would have left the area essentially isolated
from the region's public transportation system.

As your Councilmember, I fought Metro's recommendation and advocated for our community's continued access to public transportation. Metro heard testimony from my office and from community members at hearings held in February. After much consideration, the San Gabriel Valley Regional Council voted to eliminate Line 256 weekend service only, but keep the line operating through the week.

While keeping the line from being completely eliminated was an important victory, it wasn't enough. I continued my efforts to work with the community and with Metro to keep the line open on weekends as well. I'm pleased to say our efforts paid off. My office testified before the Metro Board of Directors on April 24th where the final decision was made that weekend service would also be continued, meaning the service of Line 256 will be maintained weekdays and weekends.

I'm proud to have been able to advocate for such an important transportation lifeline on behalf of the community. I am also grateful to the Metro Board of Directors and Mayor Villaraigosa for understanding the critical importance of Bus Line 256 and advocating for the preservation of critically important jeopardized lines.

For further information on this issue, please do not hesitate to contact Edel Vizcarra on my staff at (213) 473-7014 or by e-mail at Edel.Vizcarra@ lacity.org.

Sincerely,

José Huizar
Councilmember, District 14