The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 52

'B24 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1994 LOS ANGELES TIMES P.S.YAA. PRESENTS .2 SHOW 1994 DECOY Cancellation of Bus Service Frustrates Riders i AT i Transit: Santa Clarita to rely on Metrolink, which some commuters say is more costly and time-consuming. SHERATON INDUSTRY HILLS HOTEL Industry Hills Parkway, City of Industry i Tel: 616965-0661 Saturday, February 19th 10am pm Sunday, February 20th 9am 4 pm Contact: June Lyon 910427-2667 Adult $5.00 by DOUGLAS ALGER SPECIAL TO THE TIMES SANTA CLARITA While the bright blue and white Metrolink grains blossomed with thousands of new passengers in the wake of the highway-buckling Northridge transportation in (to L.A.)," said Smith. "I've simply lost that with this arrangement. Commuter buses are scheduled to resume operation March 1.

Transit officials say the system is not being ignored and that time is needed to prepare for additional riders expected to take the service once it resumes. "The fact that riders are loyal and want the service returned is a testament to what we were doing," said ton Kilcoyne, city manager. Kilcoyne acknowledged six of the nine commuter buses have been running instead to the San Fernando Valley since last week-three to Chatsworth and three to Warner Center and others are being used to shuttle Metrolink passengers. Santa Clarita has purchased four buses to supplement the commuter line when it reopens. Kilcoyne said the city is looking to contract out for continued transit service to Chatsworth, Warner Center and Van Nuys.

Meanwhile, commuter bus riders say Metrolink is not a fair alternative for traveling to Los Angeles. "It is different in that it costs more money, takes more time and it's not as comfortable," said Kevin Corcoran, a bus rider since 1985. Monthly Metrolink passes from Santa Clarita are $144 per month, as compared to $100 for the commuter bus. "Last week I was so tired of the train I drove my car, and I hadn't driven to work in six months," Corcoran said. "Metrolink put me into a car; it didn't, take me out of one." Burmahln said his one-hour commute time has doubled using Metrolink and that only a handful of people are taking buses into the Valley.

"Why they would force 400 patrons who never rode the train, never wanted the train, never asked for the train, to get off so they could use our buses, I don't know," Burmahln said. cancel the service," said John Burmahln, who has ridden the commuter bus line since 1980. Santa Clarita canceled the bus program, looking to the 15-month-old Metrolink rail service for out-of-town transit needs and focusing city resources on the dozens of other problems created by the earthquake. Bus riders say they understood temporarily stopping the program when the disaster struck and roadways were closed or clogged, but insist it could have been restored by now if city officials weren't trying to pack Metrolink trains and provide unnecessary rides in the San Fernando Valley. "I think they bureaucratically raped us," said Mark Smith, who moved to Santa Clarita from Bur-bank two years ago.

"The reason I moved out there is there was going to be flexible earthquake, an older commuter transit service connecting Santa Clarita and Los Angeles went dor-tnant to the frustration of its loyal riders. Prior to the Jan. 17 quake, Santa tlarita operated a commuter bus service into Los Angeles. It made nine daily runs, cost less to ride per month than Metrolink, had a shorter travel time for most passengers than the rail system and originally handled by the county had been around for more than 13 years. "That's why we're upset about the city unilaterally deciding to Permit Fees Waived for Rebuilding Damaged Structures NOTICE OF RATE INCREASE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY METROPOLITAN DISTRICT Southern California Water Company has filed an Application with' the, California Public Utilities Commission for a $54,500 or 0.14 increase in its' Metropolitan District This request is necessary to offset the costs of participating in a Low Income Ultra Low Flow Toilet pilot program.

-i The increase will only be applied to the Service Charge. The effect on the 1 typical monthly commercial or residential customer's bill on Schedule ME-1 with a meter using 2000 cubic feet of water per month win be a 0.19 increase or $0.05 over currently effective rates and a 0.15 or $0.05 increase over proposed rates currently being reviewed by the! Commission. A customer on Schedule No. ME-3 with the same size meter and usage would experience a 0.22 or $0.05 increase over currently) effective rates and a 0.18 or $0.05 increase over proposed rates pending approval by the Commission. Customers may communicate with the Commission proposed rate increase by writing to the Commission not later than 20 days i after the publication of this notice.

Customers are requested to refer to Southern California Water Company's Application No. A.94-01-055. Commission: Please send a copy to the Company Public Affairs Office Southern California Water Company California Public Utilities Office Attention: Daniel A. Dell'Osa 107 S. Broadway, Room 5109 630 East Foothill Blvd.

KM Los Angeles, California 9001 2 San Dimas, California 91 773 In sj A copy of this filing may be examined at the Offices of the California Public i Utilities Commission in San Francisco or Los Angeles. A copy may also reviewed at the Company's General Office, the Central Basin East District Office at 12013 E. Firestone Boulevard, NorwalK, California 90650, the Central Basin West District Office at 5646 Priory Street, Bell California, 90201, the Culver City District Office at 10758 Washington-Boulevard, Culver City, California, 90230, or the Southwest District Office at 17140 South Avalon Boulevard, Suite 100, Carson, California 90746. sum will be reimbursed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Redevelopment Agency is expected to cover most of the city.

State law provides that areas deemed redevelopment zones are eligible for funding from local property taxes that would normally go to schools, county government or other entities. The money can be used to pay for improvements to private property as well as repairs or improvements to the city's infrastructure. The council is expected to decide on boundaries for the district soon. people out." City building official Ruben Bar-rera said there are an estimated 5,000 houses, apartments and busi-. nesses in need of repairs requiring permits.

Anticipating a crush of inspection requests, the council voted to retain the Anaheim-based consulting engineering firm Willdan Associated to help conduct the inspections. Barrera said payment of the firm will be based on the number of inspections it conducts and that the powers, the displaced council also voted to re-enact its dormant Redevelopment Agency, which can make the city and its residents eligible for special funding for repairs and improvements. The building inspection fees, which could total up to $1.5 million, are being waived mainly in the interest of public safety, city spokeswoman Gail Foy said. "It's important that people don't bypass the permit process because they don't want to pay fees," Foy said. "Besides, we know these are tough times and we want to help fey SCOTT GLOVER SPECIAL TO THE TIMES SANTA CLARITA-Residents planning to rebuild after last fnonth's earthquake can look forward to a little less red tape at City Jlall.

Meeting Tuesday in the base-fnelit of the Bank of America across the street from its quake-battered headquarters, the Santa Clarita City Council voted unani- mously to waive permit and inspection fees for the rebuilding of earthquake-damaged structures. Using quake-related emergency exclusive CASHMERE-AND- Cotton Sweaters. Your Choice z. II II I I II II II 1 1 1 1 II I I I cn Si 'jOT -it. i -V' 1 I JT I tvivl 0T toy ti'l-O ir.fw.l.

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visa. UASTtnum and xb cards. M. Cm KNX 10.70 NEWSRADIO AND THE LOS ANGELES TIMES PRESENT Ui3o Moderated by Frank Mottek, KNX Newsradio ReporterAnchor HE FAIT: LESSOSS FROM THE QU AKE The January 17 temblor violently shook our homes, psyches and even the fragile economic recovery. Join us in an open forum, broadcast live, in which a panel of experts will discuss the social and economic issues surrounding the quake recovery.

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Palms Ranchi) Park Branch Los Angeles Public Library 2920 Overland Ave. (310)838-2157 Cos Ancles dimes 8 LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY.