Metro moving forward with new rapid bus line in the Valley

Metro is holding community meetings this month to discuss plans for a rapid bus line through the northern San Fernando Valley, and the agency has revealed a bit more detail about what the route could eventually look like.

Largely planned as a transit option for students and staff at Cal State Northridge, the bus route would also provide a key connection between the planned East San Fernando Valley light rail line and the northern end of the Orange Line in Chatsworth.

A route for the new bus line has yet to be determined, but Metro has outlined a few proposals:

In one option the line would begin at the North Hollywood station and run mainly along Roscoe Boulevard before cutting up to Nordhoff Street via Reseda Boulevard.

A similar proposal would bring the line up to Nordhoff sooner, passing by Valley Presbyterian Hospital along the way.

A third possible route would begin at the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink station. The bus would then travel south to Nordhoff via Glenoaks Boulevard and Osborne Street.

Regardless of which option the agency chooses, the bus line will cover a lot of ground. The shortest route Metro is studying would travel 18 miles—twice the length of the under-construction Crenshaw/LAX Line.

Via Metro

Because it’s a rapid line, similar to Metro’s Orange and Silver lines, the bus will travel in dedicated bus lanes, ensuring it’s not slowed down by traffic. According to a technical study of the project, stops will be placed along the route at intervals of roughly one mile.

Planned to start service in 2023, the bus is one of 28 major projects that Metro aims to complete in time for the 2028 Olympics. In 2016, when LA County voters approved the Measure M sales tax initiative, $180 million in funding was set aside for the bus route.

Metro’s blog, The Source, has details on the community meetings the agency is holding for the project this month.

• Metro considering rapid bus line in northern San Fernando Valley [Curbed LA]
• Metro greenlights new light rail line in the San Fernando Valley [Curbed LA]
• Can the Valley’s Orange Line—the nation’s most successful BRT—get any respect? [Curbed LA]