Redondo Beach council members voted unanimously but reluctantly to cut the 104 line of the Beach Cities Transit at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
Line 104 runs from the Redondo Beach Pier, through Torrance and onto the Riviera Village. The line was previously dropped by Torrance Transit in 2005 when the BCT picked it up and added it to their routes. The line has had a history of low-ridership, and after a comprehensive operational analysis it was deemed more beneficial to use the buses from that route to increase bus frequency on other areas around the city.
On a weekday, line 104 has on average 46 riders. That is compared to line 102 that has 709 riders and line 109 that has 1,355 riders. On the weekends, the numbers are not much better for line 104, making it the least productive route.
However, cutting the route was not an easy decision for the council. Seven residents who use the route for daily activities showed up to the meeting and voiced their concerns and explained their need for the service.
“You could have made it easier and not shown up,” said Councilman Steve Aspel. “The toughest part of the job is when you have to vote against nice people.”
The council discussed alternative options for the residents who use the bus, including discounted taxi services and other subsidized pick-up options. However, those services can often only be used by the elderly and disabled, and many people riding the route are riding it for work.
“I know the numbers are low,” said Sonia Banks Jones, who works for Homes and Stead senior care. “There are passengers like myself who need the bus. I’m very grateful for the 104, I hope they don’t take it away. I do need that route.”
Other people stood up and explained to the council that many people are unaware that the route could potentially be cancelled because the letters that announced the meetings were in English, and many people who ride that line speak Spanish.
“The ridership is largely unaware the service is going to be terminated,” said Robert Martin a Riviera Village resident. “Although there was a lot of effort to bring people to the community meetings, not many people were aware of them and even if they were, many of those people don’t have the time to come to council meetings.”
Carl Spiegel and his brother use the line to get to work everyday. “The hill is high [RivieraVillage] and my brother is 63,” said Spiegel. “It’s great to have the bus to keep him independent.”
To keep the line and make the necessary updates to routes 102 and 109, it would cost the city $180,000 and eventually another $450,000 for an additional bus.
Council members expressed their concern, questioning Pete Carmichael, the Harbor, Business and Transit Director about other options, including asking Torrance to pick the route back up or contributing money to help BCT continue it.
According to Carmichael and Joyce Rooney, the Transit Manager, Torrance has already been alerted to the situation and declined to reinstate the line.
They even discussed extending route 109 to RivieraVillage, but the type of vehicles used on the routes are different and the hills pose a problem for the route 109 buses.
“When an agency has to cut back, people usually aren’t appreciative of the services they had,” said Councilman Steve Diels. “This case is different. No matter where we make cuts somebody is going to be affected. It’s hard to do that in front of you.”
Diels also cautioned the council to tread lightly when negotiating with Torrance Transit on the route changes. Even though route 104 is largely inTorrance,Torrancealso keeps up routes that are largely inRedondo Beach.
“We’re in a financial bind with regards to that service,” said Mayor Mike Gin. “It’s on you folks now to lobbyTorranceand look at your other options.”
Residents were disappointed but thanked the council for their time and consideration of the subject.
“It’s a simple financial decision and I totally understand it,” said Spiegel. “That bus goes back and fourth with nobody on it. I know in another time when cities are in a better financial position we’ll have another bus filled with people.”
BTC expects the changes to be implemented by early April. They will make a continuing effort to alert the riders of the changes in both English and Spanish.
