 | |
| Founded | 1940 |
|---|---|
| Service area | South Bay |
| Service type | bus service |
| Routes | 12 |
| Fleet | 63 buses |
| Daily ridership | 8,400 (weekdays, Q2 2024) [1] |
| Annual ridership | 1,868,200 (2023) [2] |
| Fuel type | Gasoline, CNG |
| Chief executive | Kim Turner |
| Website | transit |
Torrance Transit is a transit agency primarily serving the South Bay region of Los Angeles County. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 1,868,200, or about 8,400 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.
Torrance Transit inaugurated service on January 15, 1940 using three leased 1931 Mack-33 buses. [3] The new agency provided primarily municipal transit and maintained a bus terminal in downtown Los Angeles until 1959, when the City Council voted to discontinue bus service entirely. Mayor Albert Isen vetoed the council's action, arguing that "every first-class city has its own bus system." [4]
Torrance Transit does not operate on Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Day. Service on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day operates on Sunday schedule.
| Route | Terminals | via | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South LA Harbor Freeway station | Torrance Del Amo Fashion Center | Figueroa St, Vermont Av, Torrance Bl | |
| 2 | Torrance El Camino College | Torrance Del Amo Fashion Center | Crenshaw Bl, Artesia Bl, Anza Av |
|
| 3 | Redondo Beach Redondo Beach Pier | Long Beach Downtown Long Beach station | Carson St, Main St, Pacific Coast Hwy |
|
| 5 | Torrance El Camino College | Torrance Pacific Coast Hwy & Crenshaw Bl | Van Ness Av, Arlington Av, Narbonne Av |
|
| 6 | Torrance Del Amo Fashion Center | Compton Artesia station | 190th St |
|
| 7 | Redondo Beach Redondo Beach Pier | Carson Sepulveda Bl & Avalon Bl | Sepulveda Bl |
|
| 8 | Westchester LAX City Bus Center | Torrance Hawthorne Bl & Pacific Coast Hwy | Aviation Bl, Hawthorne Bl |
|
| 9 | Torrance Del Amo Fashion Center | Carson Sepulveda Bl & Avalon Bl | Lomita Bl |
|
| 10 | Inglewood Downtown Inglewood station | Torrance Crenshaw Bl & Pacific Coast Hwy | Crenshaw Bl, Imperial Hwy, Prairie Av |
|
| 13 | Redondo Beach Torrance Bl & Broadway | Compton Artesia station | Catalina Av, Hermosa Av, Artesia Bl, Victoria Ave, Central Av |
|
| Route | Terminals | Via | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid 3 | Torrance Torrance Transit Center | Long Beach Downtown Long Beach station | Carson St, Avalon Bl, Pacific Coast Hwy |
|
| 4X | Downtown LA LA Union Station | Torrance Hawthorne Bl & Pacific Coast Hwy (Weekdays) | In Downtown LA: Alameda St, Los Angeles St, Hill St, Grand Av, Olive St, Flower St Express Portion: Harbor Transitway In the South Bay: Vermont Av, Torrance Bl, Hawthorne Bl |
|
| Torrance Torrance Transit Center (Saturdays) | ||||
| 10X | Inglewood | Torrance Torrance Transit Center | Crenshaw Bl, Imperial Hwy, Prairie Av |
|
In the early 21st century, Torrance Transit's fleet was made up of Gillig Phantom (delivered in 1992, 1996, and 1997) and Gillig Advantage (delivered in 2000 and 2002) buses. [5] Each bus is numbered 4--. The fleet is maintained at the facilities department on Madrona Avenue, constructed in 1986.
In 2010 Torrance Transit began replacing its bus fleet with a purchase of 10 gasoline-electric hybrid New Flyer (NFI) GE40LFRs; 20 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered NFI C40LFRs were delivered in 2011, joined by 9 more CNG NFI XN40s in 2012. [5] The new buses were delivered with a new paint scheme which marked the start of a rebranding effort by the agency. [6] [7]
| Make/Model | Fleet Numbers | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Flyer C40LFR | 300–309 | 2010 |
|
| 310–329 | 2011 |
| |
| New Flyer XN40 | 330–338 | 2012 | |
| 339–362 | 2016 |
|
In 1993, Torrance Transit rolled out the Zero Emissions Surface Transit (ZEST) bus, a 25-seat, 29-foot coach which was the largest battery-powered transit vehicle in the United States at the time. ZEST was built by Specialty Vehicle Manufacturing Corporation (SVMC) using a Hughes Aircraft Company-developed powertrain, at a cost of US$300,000(equivalent to $633,000 in 2023). [8] SVMC in turn had subcontracted the assembly of ZEST to the ACL Technologies division of AAI Corporation, a defense contractor. [9] [10] ZEST had a claimed range of 75 miles (121 km) or 10 hours of operation, and the battery pack was designed to be easily replaceable to minimize the time spent out of service while charging. [11]
After several years in operation, service was trimmed back from the morning and afternoon peak commutes to just a lunchtime shuttle from employers to restaurants in order to extend its life. [12] In an interview, John Hall with Torrance Transit stated "[The battery technology] is a long way from where it needs to be. Its useful hours [of service] are not enough. We have learned a lot making this a worthwhile investment. It has a ways to go before it gets to an everyday transit application." [13]
In 2000, Torrance Transit took delivery of two Orion VI hybrid buses equipped with Lockheed-developed HybriDrive series hybrid powertrains. One of the buses, fleet no. 401, was damaged beyond repair in a fire that occurred on September 25, 2002; nearly four years later in June 2006, Orion Bus Industries agreed to buy back the burned hulk from Torrance for $80,000. [14] The remaining Orion VI continued to serve through at least 2010, [15] but was dropped from the fleet by 2014. [5]
The ten gasoline-electric hybrid New Flyer GE40LFR buses delivered in 2010 were procured as part of a joint purchase with other California transit agencies, with Montebello Bus Lines serving as the lead agency. Under the terms of the pilot program, the federal government subsidy was increased from 80% to 90% of the cost of each hybrid bus. [16] [17]
Unitrans is the transit system which operates in and around the campus of the University of California, Davis. It takes its name from an abbreviation of the words "University Transport". Excepting several managerial and maintenance positions, Unitrans is managed and operated entirely by students of the University of California, Davis who usually work part-time while attending school. The system is well known throughout the area for its use of several distinctive ex-Transport for London double-decker buses, as well as its fleet of modern natural gas single-decks. The system has 18 weekday, 1 school-centered and 6 weekend routes. Current fares are $1.50 for the general public and included in student fees for undergraduate University attendees. Unitrans is one of a small number of transit systems in the United States to operate double deck buses in regular (non-sightseeing) service. Unitrans has one of the best safety records of any public transit system in the US.
The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, formerly known as the Miami Valley RTA, is a public transit agency that generally serves the greater Dayton, Ohio area. The GDRTA serves communities within Montgomery County and parts of Greene County, Ohio, USA. There are 18 routes. RTA operates diesel and electric trolley buses seven days a week, 21 hours a day, and provides services to many citizens within the area. RTA's current CEO is Bob Ruzinsky. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 6,570,600, or about 24,600 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) uses buses and other vehicles for public transportation. In 2018, the TTC bus system had 159 bus routes carrying over 264 million riders over 6,686 kilometres (4,154 mi) of routes with buses travelling 143 million kilometres in the year. As of 2021, the TTC has 192 bus routes in operation, including 28 night bus routes. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 362,041,400, or about 1,240,300 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.
Big Blue Bus is a public transit agency that provides public bus services for the city of Santa Monica and the greater Westside region of Los Angeles County, California. The service, operated by the city of Santa Monica, was founded on April 14, 1928 and throughout its existence has used a blue color scheme for its buses, leading to the Big Blue Bus nickname that would later become the official name of the agency. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 8,289,600, or about 27,500 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024. Big Blue Bus receives funding from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) and offers connections to its Metro Bus and Metro Rail systems, but is operated independently from Metro.
The Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation (GLPTC) is a municipal corporation founded in 1971 that provides bus services in Tippecanoe County, Indiana under the operating name of CityBus. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 4,447,400, or about 17,100 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.
Ride On is the primary public transportation system in Montgomery County, Maryland. Managed by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Ride On serves Montgomery County as well as the community of Langley Park in Prince George's County and Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C. In fiscal 2018, it operated on a US$112.3 million budget. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 16,644,600, or about 63,100 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.
San Joaquin Regional Transit District is a transit district that provides bus service to the city of Stockton, California and the surrounding communities of Lodi, Ripon, Thornton, French Camp, Lathrop, Manteca, and Tracy. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 2,432,000, or about 9,300 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.
The Orion V was a line of rigid high-floor transit buses available in 32', 35', and 40' lengths manufactured by Ontario Bus Industries between 1989 and 2009. The conventionally powered buses, either with longitudinally mounted diesel or natural gas engines, used a T-drive transmission coupling. The Orion V replaced the Orion I, and was in turn replaced by the low-floor Orion VI and Orion VII.
The Orion VI was a low-floor transit bus available in 40' lengths manufactured by Ontario Bus Industries between 1995 and 2003. The Orion VI was intended to provide an alternative to the existing high-floor Orion V; both the V and VI were replaced by the partially low-floor Orion VII.
Arlington Transit (ART) is a bus transit system that operates in Arlington County, Virginia, and is managed by the county government. The bus system provides service within Arlington County, and connects to Metrobus, nearby Metrorail stations, Virginia Railway Express, and other local bus systems. Most ART routes serve to connect county neighborhoods to local Metrorail stations, as well as the Shirlington Bus Station. It includes part of the Pike Ride service along Columbia Pike, which is shared with WMATA. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 2,258,200, or about 8,800 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.
Long Beach Transit (LBT) is the operator of public transit bus and ferry services in Long Beach, California and its surrounding cities. Long Beach Transit operates 37 bus routes, serving the Gateway Cities region of Los Angeles County. In addition to its bus services, LBT contracts with Catalina Express for the operation of two water taxi routes, and organizes the Dial-A-Lift paratransit service.
Intercity Transit is a public transportation agency organized as a municipal corporation in Thurston County, Washington, United States. It serves Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and Yelm and Lakewood: an area of approximately 94 square miles (240 km2). It operates 21 bus routes, the Dial-A-Lift door-to-door service, a vanpool program, and specialized van programs.
The Orion VII is a line of low-floor transit buses available in 30' rigid, 35' rigid, and 40' rigid lengths manufactured by Daimler Buses North America's subsidiary Orion Bus Industries between 2001 and 2013 in three generations. The conventional powered buses, either with longitudinally-mounted diesel or natural gas engines, used a T-drive transmission coupling. A series hybrid variant powered by a diesel-driven generator was also available. The Orion VII replaced the fully low-floor Orion VI and high-floor Orion V buses, and was manufactured until its parent company DaimlerChrysler withdrew from the transit bus market in 2013.
CyRide is a partnership between Iowa State University, the ISU Student Government, and Ames, Iowa. CyRide provides public transportation to the community throughout the city of Ames. The word CyRide is a portmanteau of two words: Cy and the word ride. In January 2012, CyRide was recognized "as the nation’s small urban transit system with the highest number of rides per capita" at 106 rides per capita. In 2019, CyRide ranked third in the nation with 110.2 rides per capita, behind the transit systems of New York and San Francisco.
Berks Area Regional Transportation Authority (BARTA), previously Berks Area Reading Transportation Authority, is a public transportation system serving the city of Reading and its surrounding area of Berks County, Pennsylvania. The South Central Transit Authority owns BARTA and the Red Rose Transit Authority (RRTA). In 2023, the system had a ridership of 2,276,000, or about 14,600 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.
The County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) is the operator of public transport for the city of Scranton urban area and its surrounding area of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. It began operations in 1972, largely using routes established by predecessor Scranton Transit. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 841,700, or about 2,900 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.
The Gillig Low Floor is a transit bus manufactured by Gillig since 1997. The second low-floor bus design introduced in the United States, the Low Floor originally served as a second product range for the company alongside the Gillig Phantom. As transit bus operators shifted toward low-floor designs, the Low Floor has replaced the Phantom entirely, becoming the sole vehicle platform offered by the company since 2008.
The Seattle trolleybus system forms part of the public transportation network in the city of Seattle, Washington, operated by King County Metro. Originally opened on April 28, 1940, the network consists of 15 routes, with 174 trolleybuses operating on 68 miles (109 km) of two-way parallel overhead lines. As of the second quarter of 2024, the system carries riders on an average of 39,900 trips per weekday, comprising about 18 percent of King County Metro's total daily ridership.
The New Flyer Low Floor is a line of low-floor transit buses that was manufactured by New Flyer Industries between 1991 and 2014. It was available in 30-foot rigid, 35-foot rigid, 40-foot rigid, and 60-foot articulated lengths. In addition to the different available lengths, the buses were sold with a variety of prime movers, ranging from conventional diesel and CNG combustion engines to diesel-electric hybrid, gasoline hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell.
The NABI BRT is a line of low-floor transit buses available in 60' articulated (60-BRT) and later 42' rigid (42-BRT) nominal lengths manufactured by North American Bus Industries (NABI) between 2004 and 2015. In addition to the different available lengths, the buses were sold with a variety of prime movers, ranging from conventional diesel and CNG combustion engines to diesel-electric hybrid.
ACL/AAI, located in California, was hired by SVMC to assemble several electric buses. Unable to pay ACL/AAI for their work, ACL/AAI never completed all of the buses.
