In 2017, Metro unveiled plans for a new east-west bus rapid transit line which would connect North Hollywood and Chatsworth, as well as a number of other communities in the North San Fernando Valley. Five years later, that proposal has given way to a more modest array of improvements.

This month, Metro will host a series of virtual community meetings to discuss an update to the North San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor project, which is no longer envisioned as a single BRT line, but rather targeted upgrades along multiple corridors. This updated approach, according to a post in The Source, will benefit a larger number of bus lines and riders, and includes:

  • 10-minute service on Roscoe Boulevard and Nordhoff Street during the day on weekdays (lines 152 and 166);
  • new transit signal priority, and bulb outs to improve travel times on Roscoe, Nordhoff, Lankershim Boulevard, Sherman Way, Reseda Boulevard, Ventura Boulevard, Vanowen Street, and Victory Boulevard;
  • weekday peak-hour bus lanes on Roscoe between Lankershim and Topanga Canyon Boulevard; 400 new bus shelters at busiest stops; Improved shelters, real-time travel information, and seating at five stops - including CSUN; and
  • all-door boarding; Zero emission electric buses on Roscoe, Nordhoff, Sherman Way, Reseda, and Ventura Boulevard.

Per The Source, the proposed improvements would be implemented up to two years sooner than the BRT line, which was estimated to cost up to $417 million and serve more than 28,000 daily passengers by the year 2025. That plan had faced staunch, organized opposition from residents along the project corridor, which centered on segments of Roscoe and Nordhoff, and would have connected to CSUN.

The outcome in North Valley is a stark contrast to a similar project connecting North Hollywood with Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena, which was approved in April despite opposition from a group of vocal Eagle Rock residents, as well as the elimination of dedicated bus lanes within Burbank and Pasadena.

Check out The Source for details about the upcoming community meetings.