- City releases annexation report that should help west siders decide whether to stay (with County), go (form their own city) or join us here in the business friendliest city in California SIGNAL
- Las Lomas, the little housing development that couldn’t, gets slapped down again by a state judge SIGNAL
- City Council will discuss expansion of Enterprise Zone, the purchase of seven new CNG buses, Recovery Act spending so far. Actually it looks like there’s no new business on this agenda, so the meeting could be really short AGENDA
- The father of LaWana Clary, the 50 year old Castaic special ed teacher who was murdered two years ago, is suing his son-in-law for wrongful death. David Clary has yet to be charged in the case but has lawyered up and refused a polygraph. SIGNAL
- City renews popular first time homebuyer incentive program SCV REAL ESTATE BLOG
- SoCal Edison says it will fall short of 20% renewable energy by 2010 goal, even with all the infrastructure they’ve built in SCV LABJ SUBSCRIPTION
- Temps will hit 103 or higher in the SCV this week as hot Santa Ana winds blow down from the northeast SIGNAL
- City’s anti-graffiti program working, especially when they close the Skate Park SIGNAL
- Tim Myers revisits Facilities Foundation after Dave Bossert “discovers” the controversy SIGNAL
- Cameron Smyth explains what happened in Sacramento regarding domestic violence center funding, says there’s a chance funding could be restored in October SIGNAL
@SCVTweets onTwitter
- Bike to Work Day
http://t.co/jWAkeDfm2012/05/17 16:01 - Excellent! RT @Petz2: Cadet Petzold
http://t.co/mfXxCymI2012/05/16 12:31 - It's an embarrassment of riches. As of today, 4 the 2nd time ever, there are 2 actual barbecue spots in SCV: @longhornsbbq and @Lucilles_BBQ2012/05/16 10:27
- Over the months, we've reached out to @Lucilles_BBQ several times to talk BBQ and got the cold [pork] shoulder. But still, we welcome real Q2012/05/16 10:17
- If you love substance like we do, Jeff has a great interview with @LeeCRogers.
http://t.co/sJj9FNvc2012/05/10 09:04 - Tone of the meeting: BK and FF playing dads to TBB rebellious teenager. LW and MM the aunts who don't see why you need to dress like that.2012/05/08 23:39
- Bike to Work Day
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More unnecessary buses and tax credits to business. More waste of the taxpayers money.
Dump this Council and City manager.
Cash for city council.
Cash would need money to run for city council. Body guards are expensive.
Unnecessary buses? I read that they are replacing old buses, not getting additional.
I use to be leery of the bus, but last year I started riding due to the gas costs. SC has one of the better transit systems around that is well maintained and I am surprised more folks don’t take advantage of it, because it is a worthy city investment. (And I say that as a left hating anti-environmentalist).
I happen to like that fact they are replacing old buses. Nothing is worse than having to sit on a stalled bus in 90 degree weather that is blocking up the traffic, as a bus rider and a driver behind in in the traffic jam.
Nickeldime, if I’m reading the cities website correctly, the ‘silent second’ loans that the city is offering are REALLY high, that’s how they can afford the loan! For a 3 bedroom, it was over 200K.
We have near empty buses running all over town and other places, so unnecessary? Yes!
A burden to the taxpayers yes! Nearly $17,000,000.00 per year is spent to transport but a few.
The last time I asked for the data, our city transit system required a greater subsidy from taxpayers than other cities that use the same metric to assess performance. Ticket sales applied to operating costs fall short of the other transit systems identified in the data.
Hopefully that has improved, but it still would not justify the cost and under utilization of the buses. Did the article indicate the old buses would be retired? 12 years does not make a bus old, mileage and lack of maintenance does. Now we will see if the city begins more routes to Palmdale to bring workers to the local business community. The Chamber and VIA has been pushing for such action. There employees can’t afford to live here. Enterprise zones, there expansion, and tax credits for business are not enough I guess. So now let the rest of us haul their employees to work.
So how much of the taxpayers money does the city have to give away to the first home program.
Looks like the city will give over $200k, deferred for 30 years or until the participant violates a covenant. What a deal! Another program promoted by the VIA and the Chamber.
“THINK SANTA CLARITA” I do and my thoughts are not very nice!
The POSITIVE results of “Cash for Clunkers”:
It’s taken thousands of Obama bumper stickers off the road…
So your solution is to eliminate the bus system or just charge more?
My solution is to maximize the efficiency of the bus system which may include fewer routes, fewer stops, less frequent schedules and charging higher fares. The daily round de round of empty buses needs some work. This may put a burden on some riders to better plan their travel needs and wants, but……….
BTW, there are lots of people driving 12 year old cars around, fewer now with the Cash for Clunker give away. However there are still many that would probably like a new car once in a while but can afford it.
re: the buses, I also ride the commuter bus everyday. Some runs are at 100% capacity, some are not. The recent addition of the North Hollywood run has been chaos.
I have heard statistics about the success of this run, but true facts are it is late, not filled to capacityand not the success they (city council) had hoped it would be. If they would adjust the route it would accommodate more passengers, thus fulfilling the need for public transportation in the SC valley to LA, Century City, and the valley .
Cash, I don’t know what you are basing your theory on. Are you looking at Commuter or local transit? Do you see the commuter buses leaving at 5 am in the morning filled to capacity, do you know the commuter stops, do you know the fares, have you ever taken a commuter bus to downtown, L.A. or to Century city
BTW, the new buses are replacments. These commuter buses are driven long and hard hours each day, and are worn out
they can or can’t afford it?
Can’t. Nice catch.
On a lighter note, I just saw Derek Jeter shopping at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. I can definitely say he does not use steroids because he is not particularly tall and is quite slim.
I would think that 12 year old personal vehicles are much different than 12 year old mass transit vehicles. I would think the miles and driving time that get put on buses far exceeds the miles and driving time that get put on personal vehicles.
Regarding the “Foundation,” I guess one thing that continues to stick with me after so many years is that the Foundation doesn’t have to follow the rules of a public entity. I don’t like the idea that it can get away with avoiding City ordinance and keep its books closed for us to review. I realize that you did some investigation Tim, and I appreciate the update, but something still stinks about the whole thing.
It is a matter of mile driven and not years of service. Large truck and bus diesel engines can easily be driven well over 300,000 miles if properly maintained. Perhaps the vehicles in question are worn out, but that is not dictated by years of service.
CC:
There is what I call the legitimate argument that using the device of a Foundation does in fact increase the aggregate cost of school construction because there is more money sloshing around and the illegitimate argument of nefarious things are going on but I don’t have any proof. I have a great deal of confidence now that everything is on the up and up their because Dan Goetz is on the Board and I know he would not put up with any nonsense with the money.
The main point of the piece was that this has been going on for eleven years and Dave Bossert just figured it out! I think we should call him the used car blogger: New to him but not to anyone else!
I remember when the Vista Ridge custom home sites were sold. I do not remember the exact number that were sold, but a number less than 30 sticks in my mind. The rules were one lot per customer and other rules applied. I believe it was a lottery type transaction. To my amazement, even the lottery did not stop some from buying more than one lot. That was the rumor around our little town at the time.
Oh Cash don’t start with the RP conspiracy theories!
rosieray
You may want to make a request of the city and ask to see the reports. The transit manager uses them to assess performance. Local and non local data is provided. The longer haul (commuter) buses do see more passengers. You may want to ask if the commuter buses wait all day while you work or do they return to the yard empty and then drive back empty to pick you up for your ride home. The utilization numbers will have a different meaning for you, I think.
This is not a theory, I have seen the data. And no I do not ride the bus. I have a car.
Timmy,
remember what I told you about being a pompous ass. Are we going to have to give you the handle T M H ? This “may” not be a theory and I never said it was a conspiracy.
All in favor of cash revealing his real identity say aye!
Aye!
I think cash knows where the bodies are buried.
You and Ms. Weste with your AYE. Remember when you indicated sometime back that you had had an investigator request information? Enough said!
I think Cash is Gail Ortiz after she took some kind of Mr. Hyde potion!
HA! Good one Tim.
Cash,
Saying Tim is a pompous ass in postings regarding Dave Bossart are like saying Pluto is big in a photo next to the Sun.
CC
My reference to Timmy and PA had nothing whatever to do with Dave Bossart and was made in advance of the foundation issue. Anyone that has followed this blog knows my opinion of the mouth of the west.
With respect to the foundation, I saw merely suggesting, though in a vague kind of way, that Timmy should look into things a bit more before he tries to discount the facts. His so called RP conspiracy comment would be a good place for him to start. This only if he wants to remove some of the lipstick.
It interesting that the same guy that heads up the facilities foundation (RP) that Timmy addressed is also is the President of the Committee on Aging. This same guy owns the Summerhill Villa seniors home on Lyons avenue, an upscale facility. He son runs the facility. I support the seniors but it would be nice to see an accounting of how are tax dollars are be used to support the seniors. Hopefully, the senior either directly or indirectly see every dollar applied to their needs. The city transit system supports the seniors as well.
Are those books closed to the public to Timmy? Not suggesting a conspiracy but transparency on were our tax dollars go and how they are spent.
DVC needs an advocate that is better connected with city politics.
Cash,
I actually have been riding the bus since 1995, and act as an liasion for the bus contractor, city and passengers. I have seen the reports, know the transit manager etc.
I have been in meetings on the transportation aspects of the bus.
1. The commuter buses start their day at 4:30ending at 9:30 am, than 2:30 ending at 8:30 pm depending on where they are going. The in between time is for maintenance etc.
2. The commuter buses transport from Santa Clarita and to Santa Clarita. It is rare that the bus is empty while in transit.
3. Most of the buses have hard driven miles on them, and they are old. The buses are utilized to their full capacity. Some of the buses in current use, were in use in 1998.
4. I invite you to take a ride on the commuters before you pass judgement. Ridership is up and growing.
5. I would be interested to see when the last time you checked the data was, as it does not match what is current. Have you read the last transportation report on the transit web
rosieray
1. The commuter buses start their day at 4:30ending at 9:30 am, than 2:30 ending at 8:30 pm depending on where they are going. The in between time is for maintenance etc.
So they do take you to work and drive back empty, then they return empty to pick you up and deliver you back to SCV. If your statement that they are being maintained during the time they wait to pick up, they must be very well maintained.
I know ridership is up and I hope the fares are as well. I will not ride the bus because I have a car that I can afford to drive. I do not need to be subsidized by the taxpayers.
The fact is that we have many buses running around town, often passing one another, that have fewer than 5 riders. The system is not efficient and needs to be improved. If the new transit manager is working in that direction great! But there is a long long way to go. My advice would be for the transit manager to ask non buses riders what improvements would be helpful. I suspect the answer would be much different than what is presented by those that ride the bus.
If you recall, the few that rode the bus that had its route cancelled through tizzy. They could care less that it was costing the taxpayers thousands of dollars a year to transport them. If I remember, the city could have bought each of them a car and still saved taxpayers money.
BTW, what are hard driven miles? 35 miles an hour on the freeway or frequent stop and go moments? I suspect brakes are inspected often.
My mistake the transit program is $19,000,000.00 in 2009. Not one performance element measures efficiency or cost control. At least according to the website. One measure does suggest rebuilding a certain number of buses to prolong serviceability and that is good.
Cash, they do NOT drive back empty, they pick passengers up in CC, LA, NO HO and Warner center and bring them to their jobs in Santa Clarita. They leave Santa Clarita with passengers from the Industrial center etc and drop them off in LA, CC, WC and NO HO, where they pick up passengers for a return trip to Santa Clarita (Pick up a schedule and you will understand)
The buses are as maintained as well as can be expected for age and travel. You do know that you can only fix a “car” so many times before you need to get rid of it
There are many passengers who have cars, and many who don’t. Once again you are speaking about the local buses around town (which by the way transport the kids to school, subsidized by the taxpayers) You are subsidized by the taxpayers, you do travel on the roads don’t you, and the taxpayers pay for that. I still don’t get how you know what is efficient when you have never ridden on the bus (commuter), and why would you ask someone who’s never experienced something about improvements. Obviously, you would ask the people who have experience and knowledge about needs etc.
I do recall the Van Nuys/Route #8 run. This hurt a lot of people because of scheduling. It has added 2-4 hours traveling time for many. It still needs to be worked on. The report may have been a little over zealous. How much money have/do we spend on sports, back in parking etc, could we have put this money to better use -say like the domestic violence center, homeless center, etc.
I don’t believe you can go 35 miles per hour on the freeway, and remember 1 bus takes
45-50 cars off of the roads, and eliminates that much pollution.
You don’t have the whole story, you just think you do
If you don’t ride than don’t be so such a “snide”
“Snide”
It is not a matter of being Snide nor is it all the other non issues you have tossed into the discussion. The issue is the efficiency of the transit system. Your comment about bringing people to work in the SCV does not wash. The system is not efficient and while I may not have a problem helping those that really need it, I do not agree with subsidizing someone that rides the bus to work to save money at a cost to others.
You may think I do not have to complete story, but you would be wrong. At this point all I have heard from you is that you disagree with me based on emotion rather the the economic facts. You do not have to ride a bus to understand if the system is efficient or not. The budget is $19,000,000.00 per year and empty buses drive around our city. I do not need to sit in the bus to see inside the bus.
You do not ask a drug addict to identify ways to reduce the amount of drugs they take. My suggestion for non rider input was directed at seeking the ideas of those that actually pay the cost of the system, not just those that reap the benefit.
I do know that the out of town buses do have a better ridership than the local system. But overall the system is inefficient.
A think we will have to agree to disagree on this. Thanks for taking time to debate the issue.
just to clarify, the city did ask for non-rider input when they updated their Transportation Development Plan. Not sure how much non-rider input they actually did recieve though….
Great.
While the transit system is not the most efficient, I think Santa Clarita tries to balance service area coverage and efficiency. At least that’s what I get from reading the Transportation Development Plan. Using this approach, the system is not going to be the most productive. That way if someone only uses the bus occasionally in the low-density outlying area, they will have service. Is it the best method? I dont know.