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Metro Plan Would Link Light Rail Systems In San Fernando, San Gabriel Valleys

NORTH HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Metro officials were scheduled Thursday to vote on a proposal for a light rail system that would connect the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys.

KNX 1070's Megan Goldsby reports both elected officials along with community and business leaders have signaled strong support for what could become a faster way to travel from Pasadena to Woodland Hills.

Metro Plan Would Link Light Rail Systems In San Fernando, San Gabriel Valleys

The Metro Board of Directors will vote to study the feasibility of the new system - which would first convert the Orange Line to light rail - that was introduced July 16 by Councilmember Paul Krekorian, Mayor Garcetti, Los Angeles County Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Mike Antonovich, and Directors John Fasana and Ara Najarian.

Krekorian, who also serves as Metro Director, said out of more than 80 rail stops in the county, the San Fernando Valley has only two, making it one of the region's most underserved areas.

"We want to get the ball rolling to ensure the San Fernando Valley's transit needs are not ignored," said Krekorian. "There is high demand for the Valley's two million residents to have better transit options that serve more people."

The Metro proposal comes on the heels of Gov. Jerry Brown signing Assembly Bill 577, which allows for the construction of light rail in the southeast San Fernando Valley. The historic move repealed a 23-year ban that had constrained Valley transportation options, affecting hundreds of thousands of commuters.

In response, Metro constructed the bus-only Orange Line, which has exceeded ridership expectations by carrying close to 30,000 people a day, according to officials.

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