Existing law imposes a 40-foot limitation on the length of vehicles that may be operated on the highways, with specified exemptions. Existing law exempts from this limitation, among other things, an articulated bus or articulated trolley coach that does not exceed a length of 60 feet.

This bill would authorize the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to operate articulated buses that do not exceed a length of 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles. The bill would require the authority to establish a route review committee prior to operation of those buses, as specified. The bill would provide that implementation of those articulated bus operations would be contingent upon specified conditions, including, among other things, determinations by the Department of the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Transportation that those portions of the proposed routes on state highways, if any, are suitable for the operation of those buses, as specified. The bill would also make implementation of those articulated bus operations contingent upon specified collective bargaining requirements.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Existing law imposes a 40-foot limitation on the length of vehicles that may be operated on the highways, with specified exemptions. Existing law exempts from this limitation, among other things, an articulated bus or articulated trolley coach that does not exceed a length of 60 feet.

This bill would authorize the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to operate articulated buses that do not exceed a length of 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles. The bill would require the authority to establish a route review committee prior to operation of those buses, as specified. The bill would provide that implementation of those articulated bus operations would be contingent upon specified conditions, including, among other things, determinations by the Department of the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Transportation that those portions of the proposed routes on state highways, if any, are suitable for the operation of those buses, as specified. The bill would also make implementation of those articulated bus operations contingent upon specified collective bargaining requirements.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Existing law imposes a 40-foot limitation on the length of vehicles that may be operated on the highways, with specified exemptions. Existing law exempts from this limitation, among other things, an articulated bus or articulated trolley coach that does not exceed a length of 60 feet.

This bill would authorize the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to operate articulated buses that do not exceed a length of 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles. The bill would require the authority to establish a route review committee prior to operation of those buses, as specified. The bill would require provide that implementation of those articulated bus operations would be contingent upon a determination by a majority of the route review committee that the Orange Line and routes between the Orange Line, maintenance facilities, and storage yards are suitable for the safe operation of those buses specified conditions, including, among other things, determinations by the Department of the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Transportation that those portions of the proposed routes on state highways, if any, are suitable for the operation of those buses, as specified. The bill would also make implementation of those articulated bus operations contingent upon specified collective bargaining requirements.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Existing law imposes a 40-foot limitation on the length of vehicles that may be operated on the highways, with specified exemptions. Existing law exempts from this limitation, among other things, an articulated bus or articulated trolley coach that does not exceed a length of 60 feet.

This bill would authorize the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to operate articulated buses that do not exceed a length of 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles. The bill would require the authority to establish a route review committee prior to operation of those buses, as specified. The bill would require that implementation of those articulated bus operations would be contingent upon a determination by a majority of the route review committee that the Orange Line and routes between the Orange Line, maintenance facilities, and storage yards are suitable for the safe operation of those buses. The bill would also make implementation of those articulated bus operations contingent upon specified collective bargaining requirements.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Existing law imposes a 40-foot limitation on the length of vehicles that may be operated on the highways, with specified exemptions. Existing law exempts from this limitation, among other things, an articulated bus or articulated trolley coach that does not exceed a length of 60 feet.

This bill would authorize the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to operate articulated buses that do not exceed a length of 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles. The bill would require the authority to establish a route review committee prior to operation of those buses, as specified. The bill would require that implementation of those articulated bus operations would be contingent upon a determination by a majority of the route review committee that the Orange Line and routes between the Orange Line, maintenance facilities, and storage yards are suitable for the safe operation of those buses. The bill would also make implementation of those articulated bus operations contingent upon specified collective bargaining requirements.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Existing law imposes a 40-foot limitation on the length of vehicles that may be operated on the highways, with specified exemptions. Existing law exempts from this limitation, among other things, an articulated bus or articulated trolley coach that does not exceed a length of 60 feet.

This bill would authorize the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to operate articulated buses that do not exceed a length of 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Existing law requires a pilot car, which is a vehicle that escorts oversized or special load vehicles, to display at least one red warning flag on each side of the vehicle and requires the flags to be a minimum of 16 square inches and visible from both the front and rear of the vehicle.

This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to that provision.

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 726

Author:(Nazarian)

As Amended Ver:September 1, 2015

Majority vote

Original Committee Reference: L. GOV.

SUMMARY: Authorizes the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to operate articulated buses that do not exceed 82 feet on the Orange Line in Los Angeles County.

The Senate amendments:

1. Require MTA to establish a route review committee prior to the operation of an articulated bus that is greater than 60 feet in length.

2. Require the route review committee to perform a review of the Orange Line route and any necessary routes from the Orange Line to maintenance and storage yards upon which MTA proposes to operate a bus greater than 60 feet in length, prior to the operation of those buses.

3. Require the review to include a field review of the Orange Line and proposed routes, and require the field reviews to include both of the following:

1. Consultation with traffic engineers from public agencies that have jurisdiction over the routes where the buses are proposed to operate to ensure coordination with the affected state and local public agencies for purposes of public safety; and,

2. Consultation with pavement engineers from public agencies that have jurisdiction over the routes where the buses are proposed to operate to ensure that any impacts of the weight of the vehicles upon the streets and roads that are used to access the right-of-way or are crossed by the right-of-way are considered.

4. Require the route review committee to be comprised of four members, as follows:

1. A member representing MTA, appointed by MTA's general manager;

2. A member who is a traffic engineer, appointed by MTA's general manager;

3. A member appointed by the labor organization that is the exclusive representative of the bus drivers of MTA; and,

4. A member representing law enforcement, appointed by the law enforcement agency that has authority over the proposed routes.

5. Provide that the implementation of the authority granted by this bill is also subject to the following:

1. Determination by a majority vote of the route review committee that the Orange Line and routes for maintenance and storage are suitable for the safe operation of articulated buses; and,

2. Determination by the Department of the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Transportation, if portions of the proposed routes are on highways under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation, that those portions of the routes are suitable for the operation of buses, as specified.

6. Require the route review committee to determine, by majority vote, the following:

1. If the Orange Line is suitable for the safe operation of a bus exceeding 60 feet in length, by not exceeding 82 feet in length; and,

2. If the routes are suitable for the safe operation of the articulated buses between the Orange Line, maintenance facilities, and storage yards.

7. Clarify that MTA may operate the articulated buses between the Orange Line route, terminals, and maintenance facilities.

8. Make technical and conforming changes.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes MTA as the successor agency to the Southern California Rapid Transit District and the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and prescribes its membership and duties.

2. Prohibits a vehicle from exceeding a length of 40 feet and creates a number of exemptions to that limit.

3. Prohibits an articulated bus from exceeding a length of 60 feet.

AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY, this bill:

1. Provided an exemption to the vehicle length limit in existing law to allow MTA to operate articulated buses that do not exceed 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in Los Angeles County.

2. Specified that the authority granted by this bill to MTA is subject to specified collective bargaining requirements.

3. Found and declared that a special law is necessary because of the unique circumstances of a large number of riders using buses operated by MTA on the Orange Line and the need to reduce overcrowding on those buses.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.

COMMENTS:

1. Bill Summary. This bill provides an exemption to the maximum articulated bus length limit in current law and authorizes MTA to use articulated buses up to 82 feet on the Orange Line route in Los Angeles County. Additionally, this bill specifies that MTA's use of the longer articulated buses is subject to collective bargaining requirements, and the majority vote of a route review committee. This bill also requires MTA to consult with traffic and pavement engineers on the effect of articulated buses on safety and pavement wear. This bill is sponsored by MTA.

2. MTA and the Orange Line. MTA was created pursuant to AB 152 (Katz), Chapter 60, Statutes of 1992, through the consolidation of the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and the Southern California Rapid Transit District. MTA is now the third-largest public transportation system in the United States by ridership, serving a 1,433 square mile area. After purchasing and converting an abandoned railroad line parallel to the Ventura Freeway (United States Route 101), MTA opened the Orange Line in the San Fernando Valley in October of 2005. The Orange Line opened as a 14-mile route consisting of two-lane dedicated busways for 60 foot articulated buses. The Orange Line crosses 34 streets and five midblock pedestrian crosswalks, and at signalized intersections, loop detectors give Orange Line buses traffic signal priority. Adjacent to the dedicated busways there are eight miles of bicycle and pedestrian paths, with designated on-street bike lanes for the remaining six miles. In 2012 MTA did a four-mile northern extension of the Orange Line, connecting four new stations.

3. Author's Statement. According to the author, "In order to effectively address the growing public transportation needs of the San Fernando Valley, alleviate congestion and take advantage of available transportation resources, this bill will offer MTA the flexibility they need to operate buses up to 82 feet in length along the Orange Line."

4. Prior Legislation. There is extensive legislative history surrounding the discussion of bus length limits. This bill is not MTA's first attempt to gain the authority to use larger articulated buses on the Orange Line. SB 650 (Padilla) of 2007 would have authorized transit agencies to operate articulated buses up to 65 feet subject to a number of restrictions, including limiting the buses to operate on a dedicated right-of-way, and the establishment of a route review committee. The provisions relating to bus length were eventually amended out of SB 650.

5. Arguments in Support. Supporters argue that this bill will give the necessary local flexibility to address the growing demands of public transportation in the greater San Fernando Valley.

6. Arguments in Opposition. None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Misa Lennox / L. GOV. / (916) 319-3958 FN: 0002225

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 726

Author: Nazarian (D), et al.

Amended: 9/1/15 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE TRANS. & HOUSING COMMITTEE: 11-0, 6/30/15

AYES: Beall, Cannella, Allen, Bates, Gaines, Galgiani, Leyva, McGuire, Mendoza, Roth, Wieckowski

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/7/15 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Vehicles: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

SOURCE: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

DIGEST: This bill authorizes the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) to operate articulated buses that do not exceed a length of 82 feet on the Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles under specified conditions.

ANALYSIS: Existing law generally limits vehicle length to 40 feet, with a specific limit for articulated buses of 60 feet. The Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles is a two-lane, 18-mile, dedicated busway. It crosses more than 34 streets and has several mid-block pedestrian crosswalks, with loop detectors installed at each of the signalized intersections to give Orange Line vehicles traffic signal priority. According to the author, Orange Line ridership is almost double initial predictions, making it one of the most successful bus rapid transit projects in the country.

This bill authorizes the LACMTA to operate articulated buses that do not exceed a length of 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles, subject to:

1. Consultation with traffic and pavement engineers on the effect of such buses on safety and pavement wear by a route review committee;

2. The collective bargaining agreements between LACMTA and its employee unions; and

3. If portions of the proposed routes are on highways under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), approval by the California Highway Patrol and Caltrans.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 9/4/15)

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (source)

Honorable Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles

OPPOSITION: (Verified 9/4/15)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/7/15

AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Chang, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Perea, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Atkins

NO VOTE RECORDED: Campos, Roger Hernández, Steinorth

Prepared by: Randy Chinn / T. & H. / (916) 651-4121

9/9/15 10:17:26

**** END ****

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 726

Author:(Nazarian)

As Amended Ver:July 9, 2015

Majority vote

Original Committee Reference: L. GOV.

SUMMARY: Authorizes the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to operate articulated buses that do not exceed 82 feet on the Orange Line in Los Angeles County.

The Senate amendments:

1. Require MTA to establish a route review committee prior to the operation of an articulated bus that is greater than 60 feet in length.

2. Require the route review committee to perform a review of the Orange Line route and any necessary routes from the Orange Line to maintenance and storage yards upon which MTA proposes to operate a bus greater than 60 feet in length, prior to the operation of those buses.

3. Require the review to include a field review of the Orange Line and proposed routes, and require the field reviews to include both of the following:

1. Consultation with traffic engineers from public agencies that have jurisdiction over the routes where the buses are proposed to operate to ensure coordination with the affected state and local public agencies for purposes of public safety; and,

2. Consultation with pavement engineers from public agencies that have jurisdiction over the routes where the buses are proposed to operate to ensure that any impacts of the weight of the vehicles upon the streets and roads that are used to access the right-of-way or are crossed by the right-of-way are considered.

4. Require the route review committee to be comprised of four members, as follows:

1. A member representing MTA, appointed by MTA's general manager;

2. A member who is a traffic engineer, appointed by MTA's general manager;

3. A member appointed by the labor organization that is the exclusive representative of the bus drivers of MTA; and,

4. A member representing law enforcement, appointed by the law enforcement agency that has authority over the proposed routes.

5. Provide that the implementation of the authority granted by this bill is subject to the determination by a majority vote of the route review committee that the Orange Line and routes for maintenance and storage are suitable for the safe operation of articulated buses.

6. Require the route review committee to determine, by majority vote, the following:

1. If the Orange Line is suitable for the safe operation of a bus exceeding 60 feet in length, by not exceeding 82 feet in length; and,

2. If the routes are suitable for the safe operation of the articulated buses between the Orange Line, maintenance facilities, and storage yards.

7. Clarify that MTA may operate the articulated buses between the Orange Line route, terminals, and maintenance facilities.

8. Make technical and conforming changes.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes MTA as the successor agency to the Southern California Rapid Transit District and the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and prescribes its membership and duties.

2. Prohibits a vehicle from exceeding a length of 40 feet and creates a number of exemptions to that limit.

3. Prohibits an articulated bus from exceeding a length of 60 feet.

AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY, this bill:

1. Provided an exemption to the vehicle length limit in existing law to allow MTA to operate articulated buses that do not exceed 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in Los Angeles County.

2. Specified that the authority granted by this bill to MTA is subject to specified collective bargaining requirements.

3. Found and declared that a special law is necessary because of the unique circumstances of a large number of riders using buses operated by MTA on the Orange Line and the need to reduce overcrowding on those buses.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

COMMENTS:

1. Bill Summary. This bill provides an exemption to the maximum articulated bus length limit in current law and authorizes MTA to use articulated buses up to 82 feet on the Orange Line route in Los Angeles County. Additionally, this bill specifies that MTA's use of the longer articulated buses is subject to collective bargaining requirements, and the majority vote of a route review committee. This bill also requires MTA to consult with traffic and pavement engineers on the effect of articulated buses on safety and pavement wear. This bill is sponsored by MTA.

2. MTA and the Orange Line. MTA was created pursuant to AB 152 (Katz), Chapter 60, Statutes of 1992, through the consolidation of the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and the Southern California Rapid Transit District. MTA is now the third-largest public transportation system in the United States by ridership, serving a 1,433 square mile area. After purchasing and converting an abandoned railroad line parallel to the Ventura Freeway (United States Route 101), MTA opened the Orange Line in the San Fernando Valley in October of 2005. The Orange Line opened as a 14-mile route consisting of two-lane dedicated busways for 60 foot articulated buses. The Orange Line crosses 34 streets and five midblock pedestrian crosswalks, and at signalized intersections, loop detectors give Orange Line buses traffic signal priority. Adjacent to the dedicated busways there are eight miles of bicycle and pedestrian paths, with designated on-street bike lanes for the remaining six miles. In 2012 MTA did a four-mile northern extension of the Orange Line, connecting four new stations.

3. Author's Statement. According to the author, "In order to effectively address the growing public transportation needs of the San Fernando Valley, alleviate congestion and take advantage of available transportation resources, this bill will offer MTA the flexibility they need to operate buses up to 82 feet in length along the Orange Line."

4. Prior Legislation. There is extensive legislative history surrounding the discussion of bus length limits. This bill is not MTA's first attempt to gain the authority to use larger articulated buses on the Orange Line. SB 650 (Padilla) of 2007 would have authorized transit agencies to operate articulated buses up to 65 feet subject to a number of restrictions, including limiting the buses to operate on a dedicated right-of-way, and the establishment of a route review committee. The provisions relating to bus length were eventually amended out of SB 650.

5. Arguments in Support. Supporters argue that this bill will give the necessary local flexibility to address the growing demands of public transportation in the greater San Fernando Valley.

6. Arguments in Opposition. None on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Misa Lennox / L. GOV. / (916) 319-3958 FN: 0001280

 CONSENT  

Bill No: AB 726

Author: Nazarian (D), et al.

Amended: 7/9/15 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE TRANS. & HOUSING COMMITTEE: 11-0, 6/30/15

AYES: Beall, Cannella, Allen, Bates, Gaines, Galgiani, Leyva, McGuire, Mendoza, Roth, Wieckowski

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/7/15 (Consent) - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Vehicles: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This bill authorizes the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) to operate articulated buses that do not exceed a length of 82 feet on the Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles under specified conditions.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law generally limits vehicle length to 40 feet, with a specific limit for articulated buses of 60 feet.

This bill authorizes the LACMTA to operate articulated buses that do not exceed a length of 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles, subject to:

1. Consultation with traffic and pavement engineers on the effect of such buses on safety and pavement wear by a route review committee; and

2. The collective bargaining agreements between LACMTA and its employee unions.

Comments

The Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles is a two-lane, 18-mile, dedicated busway. It crosses more than 34 streets and has several mid-block pedestrian crosswalks, with loop detectors installed at each of the signalized intersections to give Orange Line vehicles traffic signal priority. According to the author, Orange Line ridership is almost double initial predictions, making it one of the most successful bus rapid transit projects in the country.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 7/9/15)

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles

OPPOSITION: (Verified 7/9/15)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 5/7/15

AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Chang, Chau, Chávez, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Grove, Hadley, Harper, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Perea, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Atkins

NO VOTE RECORDED: Campos, Roger Hernández, Steinorth

Prepared by: Randy Chinn / T. & H. / (916) 651-4121

7/10/15 14:46:29

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING

Senator Jim Beall, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular

Bill No: AB 726 Hearing Date: 6/30/2015

SUBJECT: Vehicles: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

DIGEST: This bill authorizes the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) to operate articulated buses that do not exceed a length of 82 feet on the Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles under specified conditions.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law generally limits vehicle length to 40 feet, with a specific limit for articulated buses of 60 feet.

The Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles is a two-lane, 18-mile, dedicated busway. It crosses more than 34 streets and has several mid-block pedestrian crosswalks, with loop detectors installed at each of the signalized intersections to give Orange Line vehicles traffic signal priority. According to the author, Orange Line ridership is almost double initial predictions, making it one of the most successful bus rapid transit projects in the country.

This bill authorizes the LACMTA to operate articulated buses that do not exceed a length of 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in the County of Los Angeles, subject to:

1. a safety review of the use of such buses by a route review committee, and

2. the collective bargaining agreements between LACMTA and its employee unions.

COMMENTS:

Purpose of the bill. The author notes that ridership on the Orange Line is almost double initial estimates and continues to grow rapidly each year. Headway restrictions limit the number of standard articulated buses that can operate on the line. In order to increase capacity to meet the demand, LACMTA needs to allow bi-articulated buses, increasing carrying capacity by 20-30%, according to the author. These buses are enormous, up to 82 feet long, more than 1/3 longer than standard articulated buses, with three segments and four axles.

A little heavy. There is an ongoing concern with the damage that overweight vehicles, and in particular overweight buses, impart on streets, highways, and bridges. At a time when California’s transportation infrastructure is declining rapidly and revenue sources are shrinking, it is more important than ever to ensure that only vehicles that comply with California’s maximum weight standards be allowed on our roads.

These larger articulated buses operate in South America and Europe, but not in North America. It will take several years for these buses to be designed, approved, and built for service in California. They will need to comply with the weight limitations in place at that time, or else seek a waiver which will require legislation. The author has agreed to accept amendments in the committee requiring consultation with pavement engineers in the effected local jurisdictions before authorizing the use of these vehicles.

Assembly Votes:

Floor: 77-0

Trans: 16-0

LGov: 9-0

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on Wednesday,

June 24, 2015.)

SUPPORT:

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles

OPPOSITION:

None reported

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 726

Author:(Nazarian)

As Amended Ver:April 29, 2015

Majority vote

SUMMARY: Authorizes the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to operate articulated buses that do not exceed 82 feet on the Orange Line in Los Angeles County. Specifically, this bill:

1. Provides an exemption to the vehicle length limit in existing law to allow MTA to operate articulated buses that do not exceed 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in Los Angeles County.

2. Specifies that the authority granted by this bill to MTA is subject to specified collective bargaining requirements.

3. Finds and declares that a special law is necessary because of the unique circumstances of a large number of riders using buses operated by MTA on the Orange Line and the need to reduce overcrowding on those buses.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes MTA as the successor agency to the Southern California Rapid Transit District and the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and prescribes its membership and duties.

2. Prohibits a vehicle from exceeding a length of 40 feet and creates a number of exemptions to that limit.

3. Prohibits an articulated bus from exceeding a length of 60 feet.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

COMMENTS:

1. Bill Summary. This bill provides an exemption to the maximum articulated bus length limit in current law and authorizes MTA to use articulated buses up to 82 feet on the Orange Line route in Los Angeles County. Additionally, this bill specifies that MTA's use of the longer articulated buses is subject to collective bargaining requirements. This bill is sponsored by MTA.

2. MTA and the Orange Line. MTA was created pursuant to AB 152 (Katz), Chapter 60, Statutes of 1992, through the consolidation of the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and the Southern California Rapid Transit District. MTA is now the third-largest public transportation system in the United States by ridership, serving a 1,433 square mile area. After purchasing and converting an abandoned railroad line parallel to the Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101), MTA opened the Orange Line in the San Fernando Valley in October of 2005. The Orange Line opened as a 14-mile route consisting of two-lane dedicated busways for 60 foot articulated buses. The Orange Line crosses 34 streets and five midblock pedestrian crosswalks, and at signalized intersections, loop detectors give Orange Line buses traffic signal priority. Adjacent to the dedicated busways there are eight miles of bicycle and pedestrian paths, with designated on-street bike lanes for the remaining six miles. In 2012 MTA did a four-mile northern extension of the Orange Line, connecting four new stations.

The use of longer articulated buses on the Orange Line was identified as one of the suggestions to expand Orange Line capacity and improve travel time in the Orange Line bus Rapid Transit Sustainable Corridor Implementation Plan (Orange Line CRT Sustainable CIP), developed by MTA in partnership with the City of Los Angeles in 2011. In addition to examining improvements to the existing bus rapid transit system, MTA also analyzed the possible conversion of the Orange Line to a rail service.

As of November 1, 2009, MTA had 391 articulated buses in its fleet, and contains a plan to assume 500 articulated buses in the near term and another 100 beyond fiscal year 2020.

3. Author's Statement. According to the author, "This is a district bill that will give MTA the flexibility needed to address the growing demands of public transportation in the Greater San Fernando Valley.

"In 1991, MTA purchased the Southern Pacific Burbank Branch. After 15 years of examining potential transportation alternatives, MTA constructed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along the entire Southern Pacific Burbank Branch route, which is currently known as the LA Metro Orange Line. Today, much like light rail, the 18 mile Orange Line runs on dedicated bus lanes and uses a dedicated right-of-way with stations approximately at one mile intervals.

"The San Fernando Valley has since outgrown the BRT system. When BRT was determined to be the preferred alternative, MTA estimated that Orange Line ridership would average 16,000 riders on weekdays. However as of September 2012, average ridership was 31,787 – almost double the initial estimate. Ridership on the Orange Line continues to grow rapidly each year. To add, current Metro Orange Line operation has headway restrictions that limit how many standard articulated buses can operate there.

"Consequently, bi-articulated buses would allow for expansion of capacity on this line. Bi-articulated buses can have up to 80 passenger seats, which would translate into an operating capacity of 112 passengers. Bi-articulated buses currently operate in South America (primarily Brazil) and in Europe (Germany, Holland, Switzerland). The most common bi-articulated bus designs are about 82 feet in length.

"In order to effectively address the growing public transportation needs of the San Fernando Valley, alleviate congestion and take advantage of available transportation resources, this bill will offer MTA the flexibility they need to operate buses up to 82 feet in length along the Orange Line. This bill does not impose a mandate, but rather unties the hands of MTA to build appropriate alternative means of transportation to properly serve its customers."

4. Prior Legislation. There is extensive legislative history surrounding the discussion of bus length limits. This bill is not MTA's first attempt to gain the authority to use larger articulated buses on the Orange Line. SB 650 (Padilla) of 2007 would have authorized transit agencies to operate articulated buses up to 65 feet subject to a number of restrictions, including limiting the buses to operating on a dedicated right-of-way, and the establishment of a route review committee. The provisions relating to bus length were eventually amended out of SB 650.

5. Policy Consideration. This bill authorizes MTA to use articulated buses up to 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in Los Angeles County. MTA has the authority to change and expand any of their routes, and although the Orange Line currently has bus designated lanes, the authority granted by this bill may have very different safety implications depending on how the Orange Line is expanded or changed in the future. The Legislature may wish to ask the author to consider limiting the authority granted to MTA to operate articulated buses up to 82 feet only on currently designated busways on the Orange Line to address safety concerns about the compatibility of these larger buses with other vehicles on regular city streets.

6. Arguments in Support. Supporters argue that this bill will give the necessary local flexibility to address the growing demands of public transportation in the greater San Fernando Valley.

7. Arguments in Opposition. Opposition argues that this bill will allow for an increase of over 20% in the current legal length of articulated buses in California and that this creates an unsafe and dangerous driving condition placing both bus passengers and the general driving public in danger.

Analysis Prepared by: Misa Lennox / L. GOV. / (916) 319-3958 FN: 0000234

Date of Hearing: April 27, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Jim Frazier, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 726

Author:(Nazarian) – As Amended Ver:April 29, 2015

SUBJECT: Vehicles: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

SUMMARY: Authorizes the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to operate articulated buses of up to 82 feet in length on the route designated as the Orange Line in Los Angeles County. Specifically, this bill:

1. Authorizes MTA to operate 82-foot articulated buses on the Orange Line.

2. Specifies that MTA's use of the longer buses on the Orange Line is subject to specified collective bargaining requirements.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Generally limits the length of a vehicle to 40 feet, but creates numerous exceptions to the limit.

2. Limits the length of a bus to 45 feet.

3. Limits the length of an articulated bus to 60 feet.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

COMMENTS: MTA purchased the abandoned Southern Pacific Burbank Branch railroad line in 1991 and eventually constructed a bus rapid transit (BRT) line, known as the Orange Line, along the route. The Orange Line opened in 2005 as a 14-mile route consisting of two-lane dedicated busways for 60-foot articulated buses. The line crosses 34 streets and five mid-block pedestrian crosswalks. At signalized intersections, loop detectors give Orange Line buses traffic signal priority. Adjacent to the dedicated busways there are eight miles of bicycle and pedestrian paths, with designated on-street bike lanes for the remaining six miles. In 2012 MTA completed a four-mile northern extension of the Orange Line, connecting four new stations.

When the Orange Line opened, MTA estimated that ridership would average 16,000 riders on weekdays. By 2012, daily ridership had grown to 31,787 and continues to grow. The line operates near capacity, especially during peak periods. In 2011, MTA, in partnership with the City of Los Angeles, developed the Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit Sustainable Corridor Implementation Plan (Orange Line CRT Sustainable CIP). The plan identified the use of longer articulated buses on the Orange Line as one way to expand capacity on the line and improve travel times. In addition to examining improvements to the existing BRT system, MTA also analyzed the possible conversion of the Orange Line to a light-rail line.

AB 726 authorizes the MTA to run articulated buses of up to 82 feet in length on the Orange Line. According to the author, AB 726 is needed to "effectively address the growing public transportation needs of the San Fernando Valley, alleviate congestion, and take advantage of available transportation resources." The author notes that AB 726 does not mandate the use of longer articulated buses, but rather gives MTA the option as one way to address overcrowding issues on the Orange Line. Given that the Orange Line is a dedicated busway and the longer buses would not be interacting with other vehicles, this authorization is a reasonable tool to give MTA as it tries to address Orange Line capacity issues.

Arguments in support: Writing in support, MTA, the sponsor of this bill, argues that "bi-articulated buses could allow for expansion on this important line. Bi-articulated buses would be restricted to running exclusively in the [Orange Line] right-of-way and would be segregated from other vehicles. On the [Orange Line] right-of-way, the extended length of these vehicles is not expected to have any impact on safety."

Arguments in opposition: Writing in opposition, the United Transportation Union argues that "unsafe conditions created by this size of a bus being allowed to operated, especially in the greater Los Angeles area, far outweighs any benefit for using busses of this size and length."

Double referral: This bill passed out of the Assembly Local Government Committee on
April 22, 2015, with a 9-0 vote.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Sponsor)

Honorable Eric Garcetti, Mayor, City of Los Angeles

Opposition

United Transportation Union

Analysis Prepared by: Anya Lawler / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093

Date of Hearing: April 27, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Jim Frazier, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 726

Author:(Nazarian) – As Amended Ver:March 26, 2015

SUBJECT: Vehicles: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

SUMMARY: Authorizes the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to operate articulated buses of up to 82 feet in length on the route designated as the Orange Line in Los Angeles County.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Generally limits the length of a vehicle to 40 feet, but creates numerous exceptions to the limit.

2. Limits the length of a bus to 45 feet.

3. Limits the length of an articulated bus to 60 feet.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

COMMENTS: MTA purchased the abandoned Southern Pacific Burbank Branch railroad line in 1991 and eventually constructed a bus rapid transit (BRT) line, known as the Orange Line, along the route. The Orange Line opened in 2005 as a 14-mile route consisting of two-lane dedicated busways for 60-foot articulated buses. The line crosses 34 streets and five mid-block pedestrian crosswalks. At signalized intersections, loop detectors give Orange Line buses traffic signal priority. Adjacent to the dedicated busways there are eight miles of bicycle and pedestrian paths, with designated on-street bike lanes for the remaining six miles. In 2012 MTA completed a four-mile northern extension of the Orange Line, connecting four new stations.

When the Orange Line opened, MTA estimated that ridership would average 16,000 riders on weekdays. By 2012, daily ridership had grown to 31,787 and continues to grow. The line operates near capacity, especially during peak periods. In 2011, MTA, in partnership with the City of Los Angeles, developed the Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit Sustainable Corridor Implementation Plan (Orange Line CRT Sustainable CIP). The plan identified the use of longer articulated buses on the Orange Line as one way to expand capacity on the line and improve travel times. In addition to examining improvements to the existing BRT system, MTA also analyzed the possible conversion of the Orange Line to a light-rail line.

AB 726 authorizes the MTA to run articulated buses of up to 82 feet in length on the Orange Line. According to the author, AB 726 is needed to "effectively address the growing public transportation needs of the San Fernando Valley, alleviate congestion, and take advantage of available transportation resources." The author notes that AB 726 does not mandate the use of longer articulated buses, but rather gives MTA the option as one way to address overcrowding issues on the Orange Line. Given that the Orange Line is a dedicated busway and the longer buses would not be interacting with other vehicles, this authorization is a reasonable tool to give MTA as it tries to address Orange Line capacity issues.

Arguments in support: Writing in support, MTA, the sponsor of this bill, argues that "bi-articulated buses could allow for expansion on this important line. Bi-articulated buses would be restricted to running exclusively in the [Orange Line] right-of-way and would be segregated from other vehicles. On the [Orange Line] right-of-way, the extended length of these vehicles is not expected to have any impact on safety."

Arguments in opposition: Writing in opposition, the United Transportation Union argues that "unsafe conditions created by this size of a bus being allowed to operated, especially in the greater Los Angeles area, far outweighs any benefit for using busses of this size and length."

Proposed amendment: The author committed to adding the following language to AB 726 when it was heard in Local Government Committee: "Implementation of this provision is subject to the agency’s meet and confer requirements with the bargaining representatives of its employees, pursuant to the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act." Due to timing issues, the bill could not be amended in Local Government Committee so the author would like to amend the bill in this committee.

Double referral: This bill passed out of the Assembly Local Government Committee on
April 22, 2015, with a 9-0 vote.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Sponsor)

Honorable Eric Garcetti, Mayor, City of Los Angeles

Opposition

United Transportation Union

Analysis Prepared by: Anya Lawler / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093

Date of Hearing: April 22, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Brian Maienschein, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 726

Author:(Nazarian) – As Amended Ver:March 26, 2015

SUBJECT: Vehicles: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

SUMMARY: Authorizes the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to operate articulated buses that do not exceed 82 feet on the Orange Line in Los Angeles County. Specifically, this bill:

1. Provides an exemption to the vehicle length limit in existing law to allow MTA to operate articulated buses that do not exceed 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in Los Angeles County.

2. Finds and declares that a special law is necessary because of the unique circumstances of a large number of riders using buses operated by MTA on the Orange Line and the need to reduce overcrowding on those buses.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Establishes MTA as the successor agency to the Southern California Rapid Transit District and the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and prescribes its membership and duties.

2. Prohibits a vehicle from exceeding a length of 40 feet and creates a number of exemptions to that limit.

3. Prohibits an articulated bus from exceeding a length of 60 feet.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

COMMENTS:

1. Bill Summary. This bill provides an exemption to the maximum articulated bus length limit in current law and authorizes MTA to use articulated buses up to 82 feet on the Orange Line route in Los Angeles County. This bill is sponsored by MTA.

2. MTA and the Orange Line. MTA was created pursuant to AB 152 (Katz), Chapter 60, Statutes of 1992, through the consolidation of the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and the Southern California Rapid Transit District. MTA is now the third-largest public transportation system in the United States by ridership, serving a 1,433 square mile area. After purchasing and converting an abandoned railroad line parallel to the Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101), MTA opened the Orange Line in the San Fernando Valley in October of 2005. The Orange Line opened as a 14-mile route consisting of two-lane dedicated busways for 60 foot articulated buses. The Orange Line crosses 34 streets and
   five midblock pedestrian crosswalks, and at signalized intersections, loop detectors give
   
   
   Orange Line buses traffic signal priority. Adjacent to the dedicated busways there are eight miles of bicycle and pedestrian paths, with designated on-street bike lanes for the remaining six miles. In 2012 MTA did a four-mile northern extension of the Orange Line, connecting four new stations.

The use of longer articulated buses on the Orange Line was identified as one of the suggestions to expand Orange Line capacity and improve travel time in the Orange Line bus Rapid Transit Sustainable Corridor Implementation Plan (Orange Line CRT Sustainable CIP), developed by MTA in partnership with the City of Los Angeles in 2011. In addition to examining improvements to the existing bus rapid transit system, MTA also analyzed the possible conversion of the Orange Line to a rail service.

As of November 1, 2009, MTA had 391 articulated buses in its fleet, and contains a plan to assume 500 articulated buses in the near term and another 100 beyond fiscal year 2020.

3. Author's Statement. According to the author, "This is a district bill that will give MTA the flexibility needed to address the growing demands of public transportation in the Greater San Fernando Valley.

"In 1991, MTA purchased the Southern Pacific Burbank Branch. After 15 years of examining potential transportation alternatives, MTA constructed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along the entire Southern Pacific Burbank Branch route, which is currently known as the LA Metro Orange Line. Today, much like light rail, the 18 mile Orange Line runs on dedicated bus lanes and uses a dedicated right-of-way with stations approximately at one mile intervals.

"The San Fernando Valley has since outgrown the BRT system. When BRT was determined to be the preferred alternative, MTA estimated that Orange Line ridership would average 16,000 riders on weekdays. However as of September 2012, average ridership was 31,787 -almost double the initial estimate. Ridership on the Orange Line continues to grow rapidly each year. To add, current Metro Orange Line operation has headway restrictions that limit how many standard articulated buses can operate there.

"Consequently, bi-articulated buses would allow for expansion of capacity on this line. Bi-articulated buses can have up to 80 passenger seats, which would translate into an operating capacity of 112 passengers. Bi-articulated buses currently operate in South America (primarily Brazil) and in Europe (Germany, Holland, Switzerland). The most common bi-articulated bus designs are about 82 feet in length.

"In order to effectively address the growing public transportation needs of the San Fernando Valley, alleviate congestion and take advantage of available transportation resources, this bill will offer MTA the flexibility they need to operate buses up to 82 feet in length along the Orange Line. This bill does not impose a mandate, but rather unties the hands of MTA to build appropriate alternative means of transportation to properly serve its customers."

4. Prior Legislation. There is extensive legislative history surrounding the discussion of bus length limits. This bill is not MTA's first attempt to gain the authority to use larger articulated buses on the Orange Line. SB 650 (Padilla) of 2007 would have authorized transit agencies to operate articulated buses up to 65 feet subject to a number of restrictions, including limiting the buses to operating on a dedicated right-of-way, and the establishment of a route review committee. The provisions relating to bus length were eventually amended out of SB 650.

5. Policy Considerations. The Committee may wish to consider the following:

1. Potential Changes to the Orange Line. This bill authorizes MTA to use articulated buses up to 82 feet on the route designated as the Orange Line in Los Angeles County. MTA has the authority to change and expand any of their routes, and although the Orange Line currently has bus designated lanes, the authority granted by this bill may have very different safety implications depending on how the Orange Line is expanded or changed in the future. The Committee may wish to ask the author to consider limiting the authority granted to MTA to operate articulated buses up to 82 feet only on currently designated busways on the Orange Line to address safety concerns about the compatibility of these larger buses with other vehicles on regular city streets.

2. Safety. According to the United Transportation Union, "The unsafe conditions created by this size of a bus being allowed to be operated, especially in the greater Los Angeles area, far outweighs any benefit for using busses of this size and length."

6. Arguments in Support. Supporters argue that this bill will give the necessary local flexibility to address the growing demands of public transportation in the greater San Fernando Valley.

7. Arguments in Opposition. Opposition argues that this bill will allow for an increase of over 20% in the current legal length of articulated buses in California and that this creates an unsafe and dangerous driving condition placing both bus passengers and the general driving public in danger.

8. Double-Referral. This bill is double-referred to the Transportation Committee.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority [SPONSOR]

Mayor Eric Garcetti, City of Los Angeles

Opposition

United Transportation Union

Analysis Prepared by: Misa Lennox / L. GOV. / (916) 319-3958