Commuter Shuttle Fleet to Run on Natural Gas

Hoping to reduce traffic and air pollution in southeast Los Angeles County, regional officials today plan to christen a fleet of six natural-gas-fueled shuttles to serve commuters in nine cities.

The 23-passenger shuttles, paid for through a variety of state and local sources, are to begin home-to-work and rail-to-work service Thursday in Bell, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Maywood, South Gate, Vernon and Walnut Park.

Although some of the cities already operate their own shuttle services, the new system will be the first in the area with the capacity to transport commuters to and from any destination within the service area. It will also make regular stops at Los Angeles’ Union Station and several Blue Line and Metrolink stations.

Since the proposal surfaced more than two years ago, the project’s goal has been to offer a door-to-door commuter service to a working-class region with few links to other transit systems, said Dolores Sanchez, executive director of Southeast Community Development Corp., a regional group that helped organize the effort.

Other aims have emerged, she added, including a loosening of congestion on area streets and a broadening of residents’ employment opportunities. For job seekers, Sanchez said, “it makes other counties accessible, other cities.�

Each city has committed about $10,000 in state transportation money, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District has contributed more than $200,000. The bulk of the funding, however, came from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which gave project planners $600,000 last year.

Passengers are to pay their share through fares of $1.35 per trip and 25 cents for transfers. Passes good for 50 trips cost $60 if ordered in advance, and Metrolink passes will be honored as full fare.

Operated by Downey-based Parking Company of America, the shuttles are scheduled to run Monday through Friday from 6 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. For scheduling information call: (888) 298-7246.