l| Local Transportation Alternatives |
MTA System Information Wilshire Center Smart Shuttle and Wilshire Center DASH provided two local transportation choices. By Alisa Matlovsky DASH service started operating in the Wilshire Center area March 15. Unlike the Smart Shuttle buses, DASH routes and schedules are fixed. Buses run every 30 minutes along the area bounded by Vermont and Western avenues and Third and Ninth streets. DASH service runs from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. during the week, and from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The fare is 25 cents per ride. MTA and senior passes are accepted. The DASH routes are designed to serve the Metro Rail Red Line stations at Wilshire and Vermont and Wilshire and Western. They have also been planned to accommodate the needs of the neighborhood, particularly those of the elderly and the disabled. Says Phil Aker, supervising transportation planner of LADOT, "DASH routes are designed to connect community activity points. DASH buses pick up passengers only at designated DASH stops. A timetable for the Wilshire Center DASH buses is available through LADOT. Call 213-808-2273. Residents and visitors to Wilshire Center now have two options for in-neighborhood transportation: Smart Shuttle and the Los Angles Department of Transportation's (LADOT) new DASH bus service. The two services are designed to complement one another. Smart Shuttle, which was introduced to the area two years ago, offers rides along four north/south routes between Hollywood and Venice boulevards. During the week, the shuttles circulate every 15 minutes along Western Ave., Vermont Blvd., Normandie Ave., and Alvarado Blvd. Saturday shuttles run along Western and Normandie avenues only, although the Vermont Ave. route may be added starting in July. The Smart Shuttle buses --small, 16-passenger vehicles-run on a flexible schedule designed to permit drivers to deviate from the main routes. Service includes drop off to destinations within six blocks on either side of the main thorough-fares. Pick-up at the customer's home is also available between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. To arrange for pick up service, call 213-GO- SMART (213-467-6278) Smart shuttle buses operate from 7 a.m. to 6:20 p.m. on weekdays. Saturdays, 11:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Smart Shuttle fare is $1. Smart Cards cost between $5 and $30 and offer an additional 10% value with purchases of $10 and up. With MTA bus passes or transfers, the fare is 50 cents. Passengers can catch a Smart Shuttle bus at MTA stops or at specially marked Smart Shuttle stops. Or they can simply flag one down. For more information call 213-427-2000.
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