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Southern California Transit Advocates is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, development and improvement of public transportation in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Dana Gabbard's statement at 1999 Torrance Transit public hearing on restructuring service

This was the official position of Southern California Transit Advocates, but was written by Mr. Gabbard.


Southern California Transit Advocates appreciates this opportunity to comment on Phase I of the Torrance Transit restructuring proposal, and other matters. Our membership first wishes to recognize the sterling record Torrance Transit has established during its many decades of operation. Its service is frequent, reliable, provided by courteous drivers and with clean vehicles. It sets a high standard of quality that the residents of Torrance can justifiably be proud of.

The proposal to have Torrance Transit line 1 provide service to downtown Los Angeles during peak hours only is in our view sensible. By ensuring that connections during midday, evenings and weekends for service to downtown are coordinated with other transit providers at the Harbor/1-105 Transit Station, disruption to passengers who currently use the line to go to downtown Los Angeles will be minimized while continuing to serve the important commuter market during peak hours.

We also support proposed uses of the resources saved by this change:
  • alleviate overcrowding
  • improve service frequency on existing routes
  • modify service on line 1 during non-peak hours to serve the Artesia Transit Center
  • add new serviccs
One item of concern to our members is the proposed restructuring element 3: ending Torrance Transit route 3 at Pacific Coast Highway and Wilmington Ave. While this isn't among the topics of the current hearing, it is proposed to be phased in during the next twelve months. Therefore we feel our concerns should be made as early as possible in hopes of beginning a dialogue. Our examination of the analysis done for Torrance Transit by consultants reveals ridership is lower along the segment of line 3 between Wilmington and Long Beach than the portion between Wilmington and Torrance. Yet it would be unfortunate to truncate this route entirely, which would have an impact on workers and shoppers from Long Beach going to Torrance. We propose that instead of outright elimination that consideration be given to establishing PCH and Wilmington Ave. as a short-turn location and that only every other bus travel to Long Beach. This would address the service imbalance, putting higher levels of service along the segments with the greatest demand without sacrificing regional connectivity. We respectfully request these considerations be weighed as the changes to line 3 are finalized.