The SFVCOG works to increase coordination within its jurisdictions to improve regional mobility, economy, and safety. Regional mobility goals for 2024-2025 fall under the categories of regional rail improvements, bicycle network build-out, first/last mile projects, transportation technology, and bus/rail/BRT projects and operations, and are listed below:

1. Regional Rail Improvements
The SFVCOG recognizes that frequency, speed, and reliability are critical to ensuring Metrolink’s & LOSSAN’s success in providing reliable rail transit in the region, thereby reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). Metrolink’s Ventura and Antelope Valley Lines and LOSSAN’s Amtrak Pacific Surfliner serve the SFVCOG region.

In order for this system to provide frequent, reliable transportation, the SFVCOG supports capital and operational improvements to provide train service in both directions on weekdays every 15 minutes between SFVCOG stations and LA Union Station during peak periods and throughout the day, and trains every 30 minutes in both directions during the evening (7pm – Midnight) and on weekends from 6am to 12 midnight (which aligns with the Metrolink SCORE plan).

This service frequency would result in a combined headway of about 7 minutes during peak periods and 15 minutes during evening periods on the trunk line where the Ventura and Antelope Valley lines and the Pacific Surfliner run between LA Union Station and Downtown Burbank. With Hollywood Burbank Airport stations now located on both lines, the same combined headway would apply to connections between LA Union Station and Hollywood Burbank Airport. Reaching these headways in both directions would likely require double-tracking where single-track operation currently exists. This headway goal is a starting point; reducing headways beyond these benchmarks could result in service more similar to local bus and rail, which has been shown to dramatically increase utility and resultant ridership of regional rail lines in other cities around the world. Additionally, providing some owl service (late night and early morning, resulting in 24-hour operation), could be of value.

In an effort to ensure resources are provided to improve regional rail service on the entire Antelope Valley Line (AVL), the SFVCOG supports equitable investment in capital improvements and service enhancements on the AVL. The SFVCOG supports LA Metro’s “Los Angeles – Glendale – Burbank Feasibility Study” completed in September 2019 to serve as a guide for assessing infrastructure improvements with the goal of providing a more frequent and consistent level of service throughout the day. Consistent with that goal, SFVCOG supports the Metro initiative launched in October 2023 to fund near-hourly weekday service and a doubling of weekend service on the AVL.

SFVCOG supports LA Metro’s “LinkUS Union Station Run-Through Tracks” project as a critical improvement to improve regional and intercity rail service by allowing through-train service at Union Station. The opening date of the LinkUS project has been delayed to 2032 due to cost escalation, and SFVCOG encourages Metro and other stakeholders to continue to support the completion of the project as expeditiously as possible.

SFVCOG is continuing to advocate for advanced improved reliability, customer real-time information thus enhancing system reliability.

2. Bicycle Network Improvements
Providing a network of separated bicycle lanes, paths, and neighborhood streets to facilitate bicycling can improve access to transit, improve health, and reduce VMT. The SFVCOG supports efforts to build a backbone network of bicycle facilities across the region with a minimum of one mile spacing between parallel facilities. As part of this network build-out, gaps should be closed between existing separated bicycle lanes/paths and those facilities and key destinations such as transit hubs, retail, commercial, and residential activity centers that are a short distance away. Specifically, connecting the Los Angeles River, San Fernando, Burbank Channel, and Chandler Bikeways by closing the gaps in these bikeways in Burbank to create a more seamless rider experience.

Furthermore, the SFVCOG supports the completion of the Measure M-funded LA River Bike Path Gap ($60M) and San Fernando Bike Master Plan ($5M), which support this goal, as well as bike paths along the LA River tributaries (e.g. Pacoima Wash). In addition to these projects, the SFVCOG prioritizes projects that close gaps called out by Metro in their Active Transportation Strategic Plan.

Currently Pacific Surfliner trains only have capacity for seven bikes on board each train, and require a bike reservation. Metrolink ticket holders that can use Surfliner code share service cannot bring bikes on board. The SFVCOG calls on Amtrak to increase bike capacity on their trains and adopt a similar policy to Metrolink where bike reservations are not required.

3. First/Last Mile Improvements
A transit trip’s attractiveness is only as good as the weakest part of its journey, which is often the first and/or last mile (FLM) from origin to destination and vice versa. The SFVCOG supports increasing the choices made available to users to complete the FLM of their journeys with mobility hubs at major transit stations (mobility hubs include a wide range of available options to complete journeys such as car share, micro-mobility, etc.) and improvements to road infrastructure along key connections between transit stations and stops and nearby trip origin and destination points. Such roadway infrastructure should include dedicated low-stress bicycle facilities (protected bike lanes, neighborhood greenways) and clean, well-maintained, well-lit sidewalks for people walking. Wayfinding signage is also key to guide people to key locations. First and last mile improvements should be focused at existing transit stations along the B Line, G Line, and Metrolink, as well as future planned stations along the Measure M-funded lines: ESFV, Sepulveda Transit Corridor and NoHo-Pasadena BRT.

4. Transportation Technology
The world of intelligent transportation technology continues to grow at a rapid pace. The SFVCOG supports the increased use and development of technologies to create a safer, more reliable, more efficient, less congested, and more pleasant transportation experience. Technologies include:

• • • • Preparation of infrastructure to support autonomous vehicle technology including communication systems between AV’s and the roadway network
      • Real-time user information including bus stop arrival times, consolidated available mobility options near a user’s location, traffic and road conditions, all available through mobile applications and stationary displays
      • Parking management, information, and payment systems linked to parking infrastructure including on- and off-street facilities
      • Sensing technologies for detection including expansion and use of smarter detection for non-motor vehicles (e.g. passive pedestrian detection with walk extension for people on foot who travel more slowly)
      • Advocating for a sophisticated advanced detection to reflect the need of the Pedestrians and Bike Users – Signal Operation Technology.

5. Bus/Rail/BRT Projects and Operations

The SFVCOG supports Metro Rail and BRT projects and transit operations that are critical to reduce VMT, as follows:.
a. Measure M-Funded Transit Projects

• • • • Sepulveda Pass Corridor
      • East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor (LRT)
      • NoHo to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
      • Orange Line Upgrades (gated crossings and grade separations)
      • Orange Line Conversion from BRT to LRT

b. Additional Support for Tier 2 Transit operators
Taken together, BurbankBus, Glendale Beeline, LADOT Dash, and Pasadena Transit carry over 9.5 million rides per year, yet these agencies receive no state or federal transit operations funding through Metro, and instead rely solely on local funding to operate. Recognizing the importance that these Tier 2 operators play in the SFVCOG region’s mobility, the SFVCOG will advocate for increased funding from Metro to support these “Tier 2 Eligible Operators,” including support for transit operations as well as transit vehicle capital funds.

c. 15-Minute Bus Network
The SFVCOG region relies on bus transit to service most corridors within the region, but many corridors lack frequent service. High frequency is critical to ensuring bus transit meets the mobility needs of SFVCOG region residents and employees. The SFVCOG will advocate for bus headways no greater than 15 minutes on its major arterial corridors from 6am until 11pm. With the completion of Metro’s NextGen Implementation, the SFVCOG will engage with Metro to ensure that the SFVCOG region receives necessary additional transit operations resources to reach this service standard.

d. Support permanent, high-capacity transit connections to Hollywood Burbank Airport from the NoHo Transit Center
Given the importance of this connection, the SFVCOG will advocate for funding to continue and enhance this important connection and to ensure that the line is integrated into Metro’s maps, planning, outreach, and communications to advertise this connection to the public. Further, service should be extended to include weekend service, as well.