FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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WHAT IS A FEASIBILITY STUDY?

A feasibility study is conducted in the early, pre-conceptual phase of project development. The Study considers a broad range of issues such as community mobility needs, obstacles to accessing public transit, land uses and constraints, and other opportunities and challenges for developing new transportation infrastructure. Key stakeholders and the public alike will have opportunities to weigh in during this preliminary project phase, to communicate their needs and preferences.​

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WHEN WILL THE STUDY BE COMPLETED, AND WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR?

The SGVCOG conducted Phase 1 of the feasibility study between July 2021 and June 2022, and has recently begun the Phase 2 analysis. During Phase 1, the team evaluated 15 possible alternatives for improving mobility in the San Gabriel Valley. The concepts were scored based upon such criteria as whether they increased access to major transit hubs, fulfilled near-term mobility needs, improved transit service, supported land use development, and more. Upon conducting this evaluation, the SGVCOG elected to reduce the list of alternatives from 15 to the seven most feasible options, and further into the three most feasible options, carrying those forward into Phase 2. The Phase 2 analysis will be conducted July 2022 to June 2023, and will seek ongoing input from the community. Please visit The Study page or download the Refined Alternatives Memo, in the Resources section above, to view the short list of alternatives. The Study is evaluating options for short-term alternatives that can be developed within 15 years, as well as long-term visionary solutions that can be developed in up to 30 years, depending upon availability of funding.

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THIRTY YEARS IS A LONG TIME. HOW CAN MOBILITY BE IMPROVED IN THE NEAR TERM?

The feasibility study has identified both short- and long-term project alternatives needed to meet the San Gabriel Valley’s evolving transportation needs—analyzing the most feasible and appropriate options for high-quality transit improvements. The primary modes under consideration for short-term implementation include Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), similar to the Wilshire BRT line; or Rapidbus (street-running with transit priority). Short-term options include increased frequencies and longer operating hours on existing services. Recognizing that many trips are made within the San Gabriel Valley, other near-term project alternatives include developing better north/south connections to the existing east/west corridor served by Metro, Metrolink and Foothill Transit. Further short-term solutions may include the introduction of new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service that requires less intensive construction, or new Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines.

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WHAT WOULD A LONG-TERM PROJECT LOOK LIKE?

At the conclusion of this Feasibility Study, there will be options that are kept on the table for future long-term planning. Some of these could include BRT or Rapidbus routes that were implemented in the short term, being planned out into the future for more permanent infrastructure such as Light Rail Transit (LRT) or other rail service.

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WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS?

As we begin Phase 2, we will continue to assess the short list of seven alternatives against the evaluation criteria. The Project Team will take a deeper dive into ridership and cost data, weighted against community needs including Equity focus areas. As we move further into conceptual design, there will be extensive conversations with cities, and with the communities, about how to put forth the projects that best serve the San Gabriel Valley, with the greatest amount of benefits and the fewest number of impacts. The communities can expect to see a number of community meetings in Phase 2, to be held later in 2023. We anticipate that the list of seven alternatives will be further narrowed to the strongest opportunities for mobility improvement.

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WHAT ARE THE FUTURE PROJECT PHASES?

For new infrastructure, future study phases could seek to further refine the intended route and identify the best transit technology based on such factors as funding, revenue forecast, commuter travel patterns and needs, and community impacts. The environmental study process will entail a robust community involvement effort to communicate details about the impacts of providing new transportation facilities, suggestions for mitigation and to learn about the public’s concerns. As with any project, several variations of the alternative, including a no-build alternative, will be studied to evaluate how to best improve mobility with the least negative impact. The environmental review process would be followed by a construction timeline that varies depending upon the funding schedule. For more information about Metro’s environmental review process, please visit: https://www.metro.net/about/environmental-review/. 

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WHAT IS THE FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT?

Metro has identified $635.5 million of local transportation funds starting in fiscal year 2022 for a near-term (15 years) transit capital improvement project, with additional funding for long-term options (2053), subject to funding availability.

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WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THIS STUDY?

The San Gabriel Valley Transit Feasibility Study was initiated following the Metro Board decision in February 2020 to withdraw the State Route (SR) 60 alternative in the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project to extend the Metro L Line (Gold). Recognizing that the corridor communities are committed to high-quality transit solutions and that the Study area is lacking in transit access – with many communities reliant on public transit to access jobs, schools, healthcare, and recreational facilities – Metro has partnered with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to conduct a feasibility study to identify potential project alternatives to best serve these areas.

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WHICH CITIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE TRANSIT STUDY AREA?

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