The popularity of the Orange Line dedicated busway has sparked MTA planners to push for longer buses to squeeze more people into the system. New "futuristic" 65-foot buses will shuttle travelers from one end of the Valley to the other beginning this summer. Via the Daily News:
With five extra feet, the megasize bus can hold at least nine more seated passengers and up to five more standing in the aisle than the 60-foot buses shuttling residents today from North Hollywood to Woodland Hills. The extra-long bus could help meet the soaring demand for the 14-mile Orange Line, where ridership is nearing its capacity of 22,000 weekly riders - more than the Gold Line, said Richard Hunt, San Fernando Valley Service Sector general manager.
The MTA is also looking at 80-foot buses, but that appears to be further down the line. No word when construction of a faster, higher capacity light rail system might come in to the mix - cuz you know its coming.
· Bigger buses to hit the Orange Line [Daily News]