Culver City will benefit from the latest round of funding from Proposition 1B, as will Commerce, Placentia and Fullerton, according to Caltrans.
“We will be using the biggest chunk of the $647k toward developing our real time bus arrival info system which will tell riders at 60 bus stops the next bus arrival time,” said Mayor Jeffrey Cooper.
“The remaining balance will be used for a wireless bus signal priority system to increase efficiency and travel time by providing better services to our community members who utilize public transportation and encourage new riders.”
Roughly 2 billion funds for transportation has been distributed from the voter-approved bond measure meant to raise $3.6 billion over the next 10 years.
“We’re going to optimize our bus commute times and facilitate public transportation, which is something I believe in,” said councilwoman Meghan Sahli-Wells.
The Culver City Bus system currently uses signs with bus schedules on the major bus stops.
“As a Culver City resident, I find that the improvements will be an added benefit. I have only taken the bus a handful of times, this will help me to plan my routes more efficiently,” said Don Este.
Metro has also implemented a Metro Mobile App for smart phones users, which takes advantage of GPS to coordinate the rider’s position and the arrival of the next bus including the Culver City Buses within the GPS setting.
In addition, the app includes mode specific icons for bus and rail icons denoting bus stops versus rail stations to make planning commuter travel easier.
“I ride my bike to work, but there are times I need a faster commute and knowing the arrival of the buses is genius. Hopefully it will take the stress out of commuting,” said Maggie Meyers, a local resident.
Commerce will get $188,360 to buy two new buses that run on compressed natural gas.
In Orange County, $400,000 will go to Placentia for construction of a new train station to alleviate overcrowding at the Fullerton Metrolink Station.
In Placentia and Fullerton, grade separation projects on Crowther and Fender avenues are planned at a cost of $12 million.
Another $25 million will go toward the construction of an underpass for vehicles at the BNSF railroad crossing between Walnut and Ash avenues. The same crossing also serves Metrolink trains on the 91 line.