San Gabriel Valley responds to METRO's Long Range Transportation Plan in a BIG Way

During the 45-day Public Comment period allowed by METRO in response to their draft Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), March through April 25th, the response was overwhelmingly positive in encouraging METRO to include the Gold Line Foothill Extension project. Here is what was accomplished and shared with decision-makers:

1. METRO received over 600 letters and e-mails supporting the project;

2. Hundreds of people attended the April 8th and April 24th METRO meetings to show their support;

3. Over 5,100 "Act Now - - Save Our Gold Line" support cards were received in our office and forwarded on to METRO;

4. The student-led "I Will Ride" campaign has collected 2,300 internet petitions, to date, from committed riders of the Foothill Extension;

5. Meetings and messages from Chambers of Commerce and businesses have helped METRO wake up to the power and commitment of our cities.

THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to write, speak, or attend a meeting on behalf of the Foothill Extension. Your impact has been significant in more ways that we can express!

News and photos from the METRO Board Meeting held 24 April 2008

Front page article from the San Gabriel Valley Tribune & Pasadena Star-News

Construction Authority CEO Habib Balian thanks I Will Ride Student Ambassador Jonathan Fitzhugh of the
University of La Verne (where he serves as Student Body President). Jonathan joined other students to
ask METRO to do their part in funding the Extension. The Foothill Extension will provide easy access to
public transportation for 15 colleges.

Monrovia Mayor Rob Hammond speaks at the I Will Ride student news conference, encouraging METRO
to include the Foothill Extension in the funded portion of it's Long Range Transportation Plan.

Students speak at the I Will Ride news conference in front of METRO headquarters before the April 24th
Board Meeting.

Inside the METRO board room, Construction Authority board chairman
and La Verne Mayor Jon Blickenstaff adds his words of encouragement
to the METRO board, requesting inclusion of Phase 2(A) through Azusa
in the constrained (funded) Long Range Transportation Plan. The final
plan is scheduled to be presented at the MTA's June Board Meeting.

Construction Authority board member and Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard explains to the METRO board
how crucial the Gold Line Foothill Extension is to commuters presently struggling with 210 and 10 traffic.

Chairman of the Construction Authority's Joint Powers Authority (JPA) and Monrovia Mayor Rob Hammond
holds up one of five boxes filled with support cards sent to the Authority from San Gabriel Valley supporters
of the Extension. Over 5,100 cards have been collected, with more still arriving at the Authority's offices
each day.