Metrolink

Your May 1 editorial "Few riders on Metrolink" hit the mark when it stated that attracting new riders has proved challenging to Metrolink. Ridership is down 13% on the Ventura County line, and 6% on the Antelope Valley line, the two routes that serve Burbank. However, the same edition of your paper reported that office vacancies in Burbank had gone up from 6% to 20%, so there is some correlation caused by the recession. Nevertheless, Metrolink has failed in many respects to tap into other segments of the huge travel market in its five-county area.

Metrolink commuters in Burbank who use the Ventura County lines won a bit of a reprieve this week when the transit agency tentatively agreed to cut fewer trains from the schedule. Metrolink had planned on cutting 12 trains, but after Los Angeles County officials agreed to chip in about $318,000, the planned reduction was whittled down to four. While it may be good news for those commuters who faithfully use the rail transit system, the cutback is indicative of the struggles both sides are experiencing as they try to “find each other.

GLENDALE — A Glendale Public Works employee was one of several plaintiffs Tuesday who joined in the growing front of legal action against Metrolink for the September commuter train crash in Chatsworth that killed 25 and injured 135 others. Public Works Administrator Mike Wiederkehr joined at least five other passengers injured in the Sept. 12 crash in filing a complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday against the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, which operates Metrolink, and two subcontractors, seeking punitive damages and compensation for medical expenses.

Jackson Bell Ever since Metrolink installed talking ticket vending machines at its Burbank station, Frank Loza has felt more independent as a commuter. Loza, a Moorpark resident who is blind, said whether he's leaving Burbank after working as a computer instructor for blind students, or visiting the California headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind, life has become much easier. "It's wonderful to be able to walk up to [the vending machines]

DOWNTOWN — Area representatives derided a series of proposed Metrolink fare hikes and service reductions, contending that their renewed pledge to boost public transportation would suffer significantly under diminished service. The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority on Monday unanimously opposed proposed cuts to Metrolink service at the Bob Hope Airport Train Station, challenging the wisdom of adjustments that could include significant service cuts to the Antelope Valley and possibly eliminate service from Camarillo and Oxnard.

Twelve suits claim Metrolink was negligent and maintained dangerous property.GLENDALE -- Another 12 lawsuits were filed against Metrolink Thursday over the Jan. 26 Glendale train derailment that killed 11 people and injured more than 200 others, officials said. The suits, which were filed on behalf of the survivors of three passengers killed and nine passengers injured in the Jan. 26 crash, claim that Metrolink was negligent and maintained dangerous property, said Robin McCall, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles-based Baum Hedlund law firm, which is handling the case.

Robert Chacon Victims and family members of those killed in the January Metrolink derailment filed a claim against the transportation agency Monday, saying it has not done enough since the accident to change how its trains are driven or to ensure the safety of passengers. The claim filed at Metrolink offices is the precursor to a lawsuit, said attorney J. Clark Aristei, who is representing a group of 12 victims. The claim is asking for an unspecified amount of monetary damages.

LOS ANGELES — Deputy Dist. Atty. John Monaghan told jurors during closing arguments Wednesday that Juan Manuel Alvarez never intended to commit suicide when he drove his SUV onto train tracks at Chevy Chase Drive, having instead perpetrated the 2005 Metrolink train derailment that killed 11 and injured more than 180 passengers as an attention-grabbing stunt. Alvarez is charged with 11 counts of murder with special circumstances and one count each of arson and train wrecking for causing a Jan. 26, 2005, three-train crash when he drove his Jeep Cherokee onto the Metrolink tracks between Glendale and Los Angeles and doused his vehicle with gasoline.

LOS ANGELES — The case against Juan Manuel Alvarez, accused of causing the deaths of 11 people after a Metrolink train plowed into his Jeep Cherokee in 2005, moved forward Thursday as a witness close to Alvarez portrayed him as respectful and well-mannered. “Juan Alvarez always treated me with respect,” said Olga Perez, who took part in traditional Aztec dance rituals in Cypress with the 29-year-old Alvarez. “He was always very polite, very helpful. He would never joke around like some of the other kids would joke around and play.

Good morning, readers. Today is Friday, July 20, 2012. A Glendale city councilman was shocked when he learned last week that he was kicked off the Metrolink board of directors. Ara Najarian told the Times he was replaced "without any warning. " He even wrote L.A.  County Supervisor Mike Antonovich a letter asking him to reconsider.  L.A. Times A man shot by police in Winnetka might face charges after he allegedly reached for a gun when officers came into his apartment.

A 53-year-old Lancaster man who claimed there was a bomb on a Metrolink train Tuesday was arrested after officials discovered he had an outstanding warrant, police said. The man, who was not immediately identified, reportedly told a female passenger there was a bomb on the train which was coming from the Antelope Valley, said Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn. However, what he said exactly was not immediately available, Ryburn added. The woman reported the comment to the train conductor, who called police at 12:36 p.m. The conductor stopped the train at the Burbank station, located at 201 N. Front St. The Metrolink station, Front Street and the Olive Street overpass were evacuated as the Los Angeles County Sheriff's bomb squad investigated the incident, police said.

The Burbank Metrolink station and a train on which there was thought to be a  bomb have been cleared by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's bomb squad, Burbank police announced on Twitter just before 2 p.m. All of the roughly 20 passengers were back on board, and the train was headed to Union Station, according to the Tweet. A train coming from Lancaster was evacuated soon after a call came in at 12:36 p.m. regarding a possible bomb on the train at the station, located at 201 N. Front St., said Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.

A pedestrian was struck and killed Tuesday by a Metrolink train in Sun Valley, authorities said. The incident happened about 5:10 p.m. near Arvilla Avenue and San Fernando Road, according to Los Angeles Police Officer Peterson. PHOTOS: Male pedestrian killed at train tracks in Burbank A witness told police that a man threw himself onto the train tracks, he said. The victim's name was not immediately released and the investigation remained ongoing Tuesday, Peterson said.

Good morning, readers. Today is Thursday, October 25. Victims of the 2008 Chatsworth Metrolink crash aren't too happy that the city is doing business again with a company associated with the deadly accident. The L.A. City Council plans to review a contract for the DASH bus service , according to the L.A. Times .  An infant in Burbank is at Children's Hospital Los Angeles after suffering from broken bones. The infant's 19-year-old father has been arrested on suspicion of child abuse , reports the Burbank Leader .  New Tarzana Neighborhood Council members were officially sworn in this week , reports Patch . Singer Bobby Brown was arrested in the Valley for the second time on suspicion of driving under the influence , reports Patch . -- Tiffany Kelly, Times Community News Follow me on  Google + or on Twitter  @ LATiffanyKelly  

Transportation officials are scheduled to unveil a safety measure Monday morning designed to keep trains from colliding even in case of human error. The system uses global positioning system technology to keep track of trains, and if two get too close or appear to be in other danger, a computer will warn the engineer and can also automatically apply the brakes. Called "positive train control" technology, the system will be implemented by rail providers nationwide including Metrolink, BNSF, Union Pacific Railroad and Amtrak in Southern California.

Good morning, readers. Today is Sunday, September 9. A retired couple who live in Woodland Hills got a surprise phone call in June from their neighbors at their shared house in  Twentynine Palms asking if they gave someone clearance to clean out the home.  The house, which was paid for in cash and never had a mortgage, was cleaned out by Wells Fargo, who apparently mistook it for a nearby foreclosed property , according to ...

Police are searching for a man who shot pepper spray into a 73-year-old woman's face Thursday at the downtown Burbank Metrolink station. The woman was transported to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center for treatment. After the assault, which occurred at about 6:40 a.m. at the West Olive Avenue station, a search for the man turned up empty. Now Burbank police are asking the public's help in tracking him down. The man was described by police as being white and between 50 and 60 years old with a large build and blue eyes.

Good morning, readers. Today is Saturday, July 28. Victims and families of those killed in the 2008 Chatsworth Metrolink crash say they did not receive enough compensation. They are pushing Congress to raise the amount of money railroads pay to victims of accidents and they want to testify in front of lawmakers. L.A. Times A police chase through the San Fernando Valley Friday afternoon ended in two arrests . The driver allegedly side-swiped vehicles and collided with one car after running a red light.

Good morning, readers. Today is Friday, July 20, 2012. A Glendale city councilman was shocked when he learned last week that he was kicked off the Metrolink board of directors. Ara Najarian told the Times he was replaced "without any warning. " He even wrote L.A.  County Supervisor Mike Antonovich a letter asking him to reconsider.  L.A. Times A man shot by police in Winnetka might face charges after he allegedly reached for a gun when officers came into his apartment.

A new Metrolink train station appears to be on track on the north side of Bob Hope Airport, connecting the airfield with the Antelope Valley. The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority this week committed $1.75 million toward building the station at Hollywood Way and San Fernando Road. The station would be a significant addition to Metrolink's Antelope Valley line, said Don Sepulveda, executive officer for regional rail for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which would administer the project.