VOLUME 1... NUMBER 7

August 2, 1971

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIARAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT

Sales Tax On GasolineApproved By Senate

The California State Senatepassed a public transporta-tion financing bill July 22 toprovide more effective andefficient balanced transpor-tation systems throughoutthe state.

The bill, SB 325, authoredby Senate President ProTem James R. Mills (D-SanDiego) , calls for the removalof the present sales tax ex-emption on gasoline and atthe same time calls for adecrease of state sales taxfrom 4% to 3.25% andincreases local sales tax from1% to 1.25%.

According to SenatorMills, the bill would provideCalifornia cities and countiesan additional $138 million

for public transportation,including mass rapid trans-portation systems.

Funds derived from thesales tax on gasoline couldalso be used, according toSenator Mills, for generaltransportation purposessuch as roads, streets andrecreation trails in thoseareas of the state not in im-mediate need of upgradedpublic transportation.

In Los Angeles Countyand other counties withmore than 500,000 popula-tion, the special transporta-tion funds would have to beused for some type of masstransit system.

Assembly Bill 544, whichcalls for a straight 11/2-centsales tax on gasoline butdoes not alter other salestax provisions, is still incommittee.

EXPRESS BUSWAY MAJOR STEP FORWARDTO RAPID TRANSIT IN SOUTHLAND

•

BUSWAY DISCUSSION — Directors of RTD were interviewed by print and broadcast media representativesfollowing federal approval of the El Monte-Los Angeles Busway project. The vice president of the District(right), Thomas G. Neusom, and Leonard S. Gleckman, who represents the area where the busway will bebuilt, are questioned by Newscaster Stan Chambers of KTLA Television (Channel 5). Neusom and Gleckmanhailed the action by Secretary of Transportation John Voipe in approving the project as a major action ineasing Los Angeles area congestion, particularly for the sigalert-plagued San Bernardino Freeway. Construc-tion of the project will begin shortly and it is planned to have the first seven-mile segment of the eleven-milebusway completed and in use by the fall of 1972. The busway will consist of in-bound and out-bound exclu-sive express lanes for high-speed bus travel. For the most part, the lanes will occupy part of the SouthernPacific Railroad right-of-way along the San Bernardino Freeway.

Special Freeway Flyers WillOperate In Bus-Only Lanes OnSan Bernardino FreewayLos Angeles County is going to have the first exclusive expressbusway in the United States.

This was assured June 23 when Secretary of Transportation,John A. Volpe, approved $51.5 million for construction of an11 mile exclusive busway in the center and alongside the SanBernardino Freeway between El Monte and Los Angeles.

In announcing the approval of the project, Secretary Volpesaid, "In our concentration on the need to move numbers ofpeople instead of numbers of vehicles, the use of exclusive bus-ways has proven an effective method of dealing with rush hour,urban traffic congestion. Successful experiments with exclusivebus lanes in the metropolitan areas of Washington, New Yorkand Seattle have demonstrated that commuters save significantamounts of time by parking their cars and leaving the drivingto others:'

The project is a joint under- in the vicinity of Union Stationtaking by the District in co- and then follow an adjacentoperation with the Urban Mass access road to Spring Street.Transportation Administra- They will then travel south ontion, the Federal Highway Spring to First Street then westAdministration, the California to Olive, south to SeventhBusiness and Transportation Street, west to Union Avenue,Agency's Department of Public north to Wilshire BoulevardWorks, Division of Highways, and west to Western Avenue.the Southern Pacific Transpor- Exception to this patterntation Company, and the cities would be the interurban busesof El Monte and Los Angeles. which will continue down

The busway will be built in Spring to 6th and then easterlythe center and alongside the to the RTD-Greyhound Termi-San Bernardino Freeway start- nal at Sixth and Los Angelesing at Santa Anita Avenue in Streets.El Monte and extending west-erly for 11 miles to Mission Express Lanes Will ReduceRoad in Los Angeles. Buses Travel Time By As Much Aswill enter and leave the busway 27 Minutesat each end and via special Unobstructed bus travel fromramps near the mid-point of the El Monte to downtown Losroute and at the Long Beach Angeles will enable DistrictFreeway. buses to provide 18 to 20 min-

When the buses leave the ute service in the peak hours.busway at Mission Road in Los It now takes buses traveling inAngeles they will utilize a present auto-jammed lanes 36widened section of the Santa to 45 minutes to make the trip.Ana Freeway to cross the LosAngeles River. They will exit

continued an page 3

• UMTA Helps RTD ToUpdate Bus FleetSpecifications are currentlybeing drawn up for 212 newbuses.

Funds for the new buseswill come from an UrbanMass Transportation Capi-tal Grant and District funds.UMTA is putting up $5.2million—the District willmatch it.

Each of the new buses willbe air-conditioned, have2-way radios and the latestemission control innova-tions.

The UMTA GRANT alsoenables RTD to purchase 53supervisory and CEA-typeautos, 6 trucks variouslyequipped and some neededhousekeeping equipment.

RTD Controller,Hil Black Succumbs

Hil L. Black, controller-treas-urer-auditor for the SouthernCalifornia Rapid Transit Dis-trict for many years, died July

14 of cancer at the Hunting-ton Memorial Hospital inPasadena.

RTD general manager JackR. Gilstrap, in noting Black'sdeath, said, "It is with greatsorrow that I acknowledge thepassing away of Hil L. Black,our recently retired controller-treasurer-auditor. He startedhis public transportation careerwith the Los Angeles TransitLines May 1, 1951 and workedin fiscal-related positions untilhis retirement July 12, 1971.His retirement marked 20 yearsof faithful and untiring effortson behalf of the District and itspredecessors:'

A resident of ilijunga, Blackwho was 61, is survived by hiswife, Isabel, and the couple'smarried children, Charles A.Black and Mrs. Richard Chees-man, as well as three grand-children.

NEW FOR YOti IN 7Folks tunet sonport has enabled 819

place this new !ins in senke fortoureniet= and salety.

spid Transit District, the ILSent oi Transportation and it

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NEW BUSES—The second group of 200 new buses are now in servicethroughout the District. Assemblyman Carlos J. Moorhead, (R) 43rd Dis-trict, and George F. Goehler, (left) manager of operations for RTD,preview the latest arrivals to RTD's bus fleet. They hold a placard indi-cating public fund support which enabled RTD to place the new air-conditioned, radio-equipped buses in service. Incorporated in the newbuses are the latest innovations in emission control. Each bus has beendesigned to meet the unique requirements posed for travel on LosAngeles area thoroughfares.

Bus Passengers Help Reduce Air Pollution

VITAL STATISTICS :In memoriam to employees who havelifetime in a profession designed toJOHN C. ALLISON, Trainman5-30-71 /SPECIAL ROLL: 1-1-47Years of Service: 25

JOHN A. BRADLEY, Operator6-10-71/RETIRED: 8-23-62Years of Service:18

ARTHUR F. ECKENWILER, Watchman6-1-71/SPECIAL ROLL: 10-1-49Years of Service: 42

VERNON J. EKBERT, Operator6-14-71/INDEFINITE LEAVE: 1-29-70Years of Service: 30

MARTHA A. FALBAUM,Information Clerk6-15-71/RETIRED: 7-1-66Years of Service: 23

CARL E. HASKINS, Ticket Stock Clerk7-8-71 /RETIRED: 12-1-63Years of Service: 40

devoted much of theirmove people.HERBERT HOUTEKAMER,Service Director6-19-71/RETIRED: 8-1-66Years of Service: 43

EDDIE JONES, Mechanic "A"5-25-71Years of Service: 24

HARRY H. MORRIS, Operator6-13-71/SPECIAL ROLL: 5-22-57Years of Service: 33

FRANCIS E. MUNGER, Clerk7-10-71/RETIRED: 6-1-53Years of Service: 27

MARIA C. ROBLES, Car Cleaner5-30-71/RETIRED: 3-21-58Years of Service: 15

NORMAN T. SEWALL, Clerk7-19-71/RETIRED: 9-25-58Years of Service: 49

PAGE TWO

August 2, 1971 RTD FLYER

San Bernardino Freeway Flyers Will Operate In Bus-Only Lanes continued from page 1

Today's user of public trans-portation has become theacceptable "drop out" in theage of ecology.

This was the observationoffered recently by RTD's gen-eral manager to members of theLos Angeles County Board ofSupervisors. Jack R. Gilstraptold them that "the bus passen-ger is making a measurablecontribution in the effort to re-duce air pollution by avoidingthe use of the smog-producing,freeway-clogging, limited-occupancy automobiles. Thebus rider is a drop out fromcongestion.

"If the same bus passengerdrove an automobile in whichhe was the only occupant;' heexplained, "it would require 14times as much fuel to transporthim and, as a result, at leastthat many times as many pol-lutants would enter the atmos-phere. Each bus rider preventsat least five pounds of pollutionfrom entering the atmosphereevery day."

Gilstrap observed that "everyfully-loaded RTD bus seating51 passengers represents 40automobiles that otherwisewould be on our freeways, high-ways and surface streets. Thus,if the RTD's 1,500 diesel buseswere removed from service,more than 60,000 additional

gas-burning cars would berequired to carry the District'sdaily passenger load of 650,000.And these 60,000 autos wouldproduce an additional 150 tonsof pollution into our air everyday.

"Until recently, all segmentsof our society have given Tip-service to air quality control,while continuing to give theautomobile priority in publicfunding and space allocation,"Gilstrap said. "Lately, how-ever, there has been a hearten-ing shift in these priorities,thanks to active, informedactions by our citizens at thelocal level, and the positive,forward-looking legislativeactions of our lawmakers atboth the federal and statelevels.

"It begins to appear;' he con-cluded, "that public transit isfinally being admitted to fullparticipation in the vital taskof people-moving in what willfinally be a truly balancedtransportation system:'

Gilstrap also recently appearedbefore the Los Angeles CountyGrand Jury at that group'sinvitation to explain RTD'srole in the community and theBoard's programming for thefuture.

"The busway itself:' Dr. Nor-man Topping, president ofRTD, states, "while not asolution to our transportationproblems, represents a tangiblebeginning. We have everyreason to believe the buswaywill lead to similar projects inother areas of the Greater LosAngeles basin.

"The project will permit theinitiation of high-speed busservice within the District atthe earliest possible date:' Dr.Topping continued. "It willdemonstrate that bus rapidtransit has a definite place inthe overall public mass trans-portation picture, that suchservice can attract a significantnumber of commuters fromtheir private automobiles, andthus increase the total capacityof a congestion-plagued free-way corridor:'

More Buses Needed ForBusway Operation

One hundred new buses will berequired to fulfill the servicerequirements of the new bus-way. They will be especiallydesigned for the high speedsand rigorous performancestandards associated with thebusway. Specifications for thebuses will also incorporatefeatures providing optimumpassenger comfort, modernesthetic features and minimumpower plant emissions.

Approximately 260 addi-tional RTD employees will beneeded to operate and maintainthe new additions to the Dis-trict's bus fleet at El Monte.

"The project stands as amajor national symbol of high-way and transit cooperation;'Jack R. Gilstrap, general man-ager of RTD, explained, "bring-ing together two diverse groupsin a common effort to meet thegovernment's commitment tobalanced transportation. Wefully believe that the buses willgenerate sufficient business tokeep them running on a half-minute headway during peakhours.

"It is important also:' Gil-strap added, "to note that thenew busway will afford anopportunity to undertake anumber of demonstrations,under typical operating condi-tions. It will provide impetusto and complement the currentjoint efforts of the District, theCity of Los Angeles, the citiesof the San Gabriel Valley, andthe interested citizen groups tomake use of railroad right-of-way for transit. The buswaywill also enable the City of LosAngeles to fully explore alltypes of traffic engineering tech-niques designed to improve theflow of buses and traffic alongsurface streets in heavily con-gested areas.

"Because of this, we havescheduled our buses as dose as46 seconds apart;' Gilstrap con-tinued, "and our FreewayFlyers will be able to carry6,000 passengers an hour in onelane, in one direction. It takesat least three lanes of automo-bile traffic to carry this manypeople:'

Busway service for cities andcommunities east and west ofEl Monte include:

• Alhambra • Arcadia •Baldwin Park • Bassett •Bradbury • Ciaremont •Covina • Duarte • Glendora• Irwindale • La Puente • LaVerne • Los Angeles •Monrovia • Monterey Park

• Pomona • Rosemead • SanDimas • San Gabriel • SouthEl Monte • Temple City •Walnut • West Covina.

Passengers traveling on RTDinterurban lines serving pointsfurther east in Riverside andSan Bernardino Counties alsowill benefit from constructionof the busway. Lines whichwould use the busway betweenEl Monte and Los Angelesserve the following Riversideand San Bernardino Countycommunities:

• Colton • Cucamonga •Etiwanda • Fontana • LomaLinda • Ontario • Redlands• Rialto • Riverside • SanBernardino • Yucaipa.

RTD Director Points UpBenefits Of Express Busway

Most of the cities are in the SanGabriel Valley Corridor thatRTD Board Member LeonardS. Gleckman represents.

As a representative of thepeople of that area, DirectorGleckman welcomes the bus-way in this area. "With thebuilding of the busway, rush-hour commuters, who dailyface sigalert traffic conditionson the San Bernardino Free-way, will have the opportunityto travel safely on high-speed,air-conditioned Busway Flyers.The approval to proceed withconstruction of the buswaymarks a milestone in federal,state and municipal govern-ment cooperation. Southlandresidents can now look forwardto the area's first public transitfacility operating on its ownright-of-way.

"Another important factor:'he continued, "is that the newbusway project will preserve avital transit corridor for thepeople of Southern California:'

Busway Supported ByFederal Grants And Local

Contributions

Most of the $51.5 millionneeded to finance the buswaywill come from grants from twoDepartment of TransportationAdministrations—$29.1 millionfrom the Federal HighwayAdministration and $6.8 mil-lion from the Urban MassTransportation Administra-tion.

The additional money willcome from local contributionsfrom the California Division ofHighways — $3.3 million; theSouthern California RapidTransit District — $7.3 million;and cities, the railroads, andothers — $5 million.

The funds provided byUMTA will be used to buildthree new bus stations alongthe busway, to purchase 100new buses and to provide busmaintenance facilities.

A completely new "off-line"terminal will be built from theground up at the present loca-tion of RTD's Division 9 in ElMonte. Two stations will be"on-line": one at CaliforniaState College, another at theLos Angeles County-USCMedical Center.

The demonstration aspect ofthe busway is aimed at:

• demonstrating the value ofincreased capacity in theSan Gabriel Valley Corri-dor and its effect on timesavings, convenience andeconomy

• demonstrating the poten-tial for modifying existing

commuter trip patterns byproviding rapid and moreeconomical access to joblocations

• comparing the effective-ness of various feeder-trunkline alternatives

• testing various alternativesfor collection and distribu-tion of commuters

• developing communitypark 'n ride facilities be-yond the end of the busway

• testing advances in bus de-sign, along with newmethods of bus propulsion,speed control, communi-cations, safety features,fare collection and associ-ated equipment

• evaluating new methods ofhandling passenger flow

• investigating the feasi-bility of new concepts ofjoint highway-bus opera-tion by the mixing of autosand buses on the expresslane

First Segment Of BuswayScheduled For Operation

By Fall Of '72

Construction of the busway isscheduled to begin shortly, assoon as the State can acquireall the necessary land, way andstation rights-of-way requiredfor the project. It is anticipatedthat the first 7 miles of the 11mile project will be in opera-tion by the fall of 1972 with theremaining 4 miles scheduledfor some time in 1973.

After the State acquires allthe necessary land, way andstation rights-of-way and con-struction begins, related activi-ties include:

• grading, drainage, utilityrelocation, construction ofretaining walls and safetybarriers

• construction of structuresin and along the SanBernardino Freeway re-quired to accommodatethe relocated SouthernPacific tracks and thebusway

• building of a new connec-tion to the Southern Pa-cific Company's El Pasomain line along the eastbank of the Rio HondoFlood Control Channel

• shifting of that portion ofthe Southern Pacific Com-pany's track that is nowin the freeway median tothe center of the median tomake room for a buswaylane on each side with abarrier between the bus-way and the SouthernPacific Company tracks

• paving of the two 17 Footbusway lanes and installa-tion of speed control sys-tem and access control

• construction of transit sta-tions at State College andLos Angeles County-USCMedical Center and a1200 car Park 'n Ride Jotand a transit station at theEl Monte Station

• construction of special busramps at the Long BeachFreeway and at Del MarAvenue in San Gabriel toprovide controlled busaccess to and from thebusway.

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RTD FLYER August 2, 1971 PAGE THREE

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BUSWAY LANES—RTD's Busway Flyers move from the center of the north sideof the San Bernardino Freeway on approaching California State College at LosAngeles. This change of alignment, westbound on the busway, enables RTD to pro-vide station facilities at the College and the Los Angeles County-USC MedicalCenter. The busway will provide increased commuter capacity in the San GabrielValley corridor and enable RTD to test new developments in bus design, safetyfeatures, fare collection, as well as improved systems of passenger flow.

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SIXTY-FIVE MPH THROUGH SIGALERT COUNTRY —Traffic-trapped motorists will find RTD Bus-way Flyers passing them up when District's exclusive express busway goes operational in fall,1972. Comfortable air conditioned buses will travel 65 miles an hour between El Monte and LosAngeles on exclusive lanes in the center and alongside the San Bernardino Freeway. Travel timebetween the two cities has usually been about 40 to 45 minutes. Busway Flyers will reduce thattime to 18 minutes.

TO WILTON TERMINALAREA. APPROXIMATELY

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Autos May UseBus Lanes

For the first two years follow-ing completion of the project,it is planned that the buswaylanes will be for the exclusiveuse of buses. During the thirdyear autos will be metered inwith the buses. At the end ofthat time a decision will bemade as to how the busway willcontinue to be used. Special"slip ramps" will be con-structed at Eastern Avenuein East Los Angeles andGibson Avenue in BaldwinPark to permit auto access tothe new lanes.

"In the busway:' Gilstrapsaid, "the Rapid Transit Dis-trict has a signal opportunityto demonstrate that bus rapidtransit has a definite role in theoverall public transit picture,and that a service of this typewill attract a significant num-ber of commuters from theirprivate automobiles'.'

BUSWAY STATIONS—Ultramodernfacilities will soon rise along RTD'sexclusive express busway. Two on-linestops will be built on the 11-mile bus-way route. Shown here is the stationat California State College at LosAngeles. Second similar station willbe erected at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center.

iiFEDERAL OFFICIAL VISITS LOS ANGELES—George Haley (third from left), chief counsel of the Urban MassTransportation Administration, met in Los Angeles with area leaders. Greeting Haley are (from left) LeonardS. Gleckman of West Covina, a director of RTD; Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Thomas L. Griffith;Supervisor Kenneth Hahn; and Thomas G. Neusom, vice president of RTD and a Los Angeles attorney. Super-visor Hahn presented a miniature flag of the County to each official. The group discussed public transportationand other urban problems facing Southern California.

PAGE FOUR

August 2, 1971

RTD FLYER

Improved Pension Benefits

RETIRED

Climaxing many years of workin the field of public transpor-tation the following Districtemployees recently retired:CLARENCE S. ANDERSONOperatorEmp. 8-2-51/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 19

THOMAS ARNOTTDivision ManagerEmp. 4-23-41/RETIRED 6-13-71Years of Service: 30

LEROY A. CARDOperatorEmp. 12-6-34/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 36

RAY M. CLARKOperatorEmp. 12-9-46/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 24

EARLE D. COUGHENOUROperatorEmp. 11-29-35/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 35

ALVIN L. COXDispatcherEmp. 5-7-36/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 35

PAUL E. DURBINSchedule MakerEmp. 4-23-41/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 30

JOSEPH M. FAGANAssistant Division ManagerEmp. 8-11-37/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 33

ARTHUR L. GERRARDMechanic "A" LeadmanEmp. 11-24-26/RETIRED: 6-18-71Years of Service: 44

LOUIS A. HEINMechanic "A"Emp. 1-20-43/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 28

ADOLPH HERNANDEZMechanic "0"Emp. 9-3-29/SEVERED IN LIEUOF RETIREMENT: 5-31-71Years of Service: 41

BURNELLE E. HOLMANOperatorEmp. 10-9-52/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 18

DAVID R. JOHNSONMechanic "A"Emp. 11-29-50/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 20

LAWRENCE E. JOHNSONForeman IEmp. 5-15-41/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 29

EDWIN J. KILEKTrafficmanEmp. 10-4-44/RETIRED: 7-1-71Years of Service: 26

DAMON KINGUtility "A"Emp. 10-21-46/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 24

RUBEN S. LENOUEOperatorEmp. 11-28-34/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 36

WALTER P. LOPEZMechanic "B"Emp. 9-18-39/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 31

MARCEL A. MARTELOperatorEmp. 11-12-47/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 23

CLYDE MASONOperatorEmp. 2-14-45/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 26

GEORGE F. MUTTONMultilith OperatorEmp. 7-9-42/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 28

CLARENCE H. PHINNEYMechanic "A"Emp. 1-15-53/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 18

JOSEPH POLLOCKOperatorEmp. 4-3-51/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 20

WILFORD RARIDONGeneral Accounting SupervisorEmp. 2-9-42/RETIRED: 6-11-71Years of Service: 29CHARLES W. ROSSMechanic "A"Emp. 8-22-45/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 25

MILDRED C. SANFORDOperatorEmp. 7-25-53/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 17

CHRIST E. SCHODTMechanic "A" LeadmanEmp. 9-17-45/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 25

CLYDE SCHWARZMileage ClerkEmp. 11-7-45/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 25

LEE E. SIRESInstructorEmp. 11-29-34/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 36

RTD DirectorsDR. NORMAN TOPPING, PresidentTHOMAS G. NEUSOM, Vice PresidentKermit M. BillCharles E. ComptonA. J. Eyraud, Jr.Leonard S. GleckmanDavid K. HaywardHerbert H. KrauchMichael E. MackeDon C. McMillanDouglas A. NewcombVirginia Rees, Secretary

Published by and for the employees ofthe Southern CaliforniaRapid Transit District.

JACK R. GILSTRAPGeneral Manager

GEORGE F. GOEHLERManager of Operations

ROBERT R. SCHOLLDirector of Public Information

WILLIAM A. REASONEditor

ROBERT B. SMANIEGOOperatorEmp. 9-13-51/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 19

JOE STEELEElevator StarterEmp. 6-9-42/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 28

FREDERICK C. STEPHENSMechanic "A"Emp. 10-20-52/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 18

EARL L. STOVEROperatorEmp. 5-6-47/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 24

CHARLIE C. TEMPLINAssistant Chief InstructorEmp. 2-7-38/RETIRED: 7-9-71Years of Service: 33

LOUIS N. VELZYDivision ClerkEmp. 9-25-43/RETIRED: 6-12-71Years of Service: 28

CHARLES E. WELDONOperatorEmp. 2-14-63/RETIRED: 6-29-71Years of Service: 8

LUDWIG A. WELTINMechanic "A"Emp. 3-19-47/RETIRED: 5-31-71Years of Service: 24

PROMOTIONS

In recognition of their achieve-ment and capabilities thefollowing employees wererecently promoted:

EDWIN M. ANDERSONInstructor to Staff Instructor

ISABELLE F. BACAInformation Clerk to TemporaryVacation Relief Ticket Clerk

RAY BAUMANMechanic "B" to Mechanic "A"

THOMAS R. BROWNAssistant Division 7 Managerto Division 8 Manager

MANUEL M. CHAVEZMechanic "B" to Mechanic "A"

PATRICIA A. COBLEPayroll Clerk to Accounts Clerk

CHARLES E. COOLEYStock Clerk to Shipping Clerk

MONA P. DOWNSPayroll Clerk to Accounts Clerk

JOSEPH R. ENGLERTSchedule Checker to TemporarySchedule Maker I

MAUREEN F. ESQUIROZTemporary Division Steno toSchedule Typist

ROBERT R. GALLAGHERAccounting Systems Analyst 1to Grant Coordinator

GLORIA L. HANNIGAccounts Clerk to Accountant

GENE F. HARDEMIONUtility "A" to Mechanic "C"

JAMES R. HENRYJanitor - Mail Carrier to Utility "A"

LEROY MERLE HETHCOATInformation Clerk to Cash Clerk

INGABORG JOHNSONAssistant General Accounting Supervisorto General Accounting Supervisor

CECELIA KAELAccountant to Assistant GeneralAccounting Supervisor

JONAH LEIBOWITZShipping Clerk to Print Shop Clerk

GEORGE LOMELYInformation Clerk to Schedule Typist

WAYNE D. LOWEJunior Stock Clerk to Operator

RICHARD A. LUJANMechanic "A" to Mechanic "A" Leadman

GASPAR MARSALADivision Clerk to Division Clerk-TemporaryExtra Relief Assistant Division Manager

JOHN E. McBRYANUtility "A" to Mechanic "C"

WILLIAM M. McGEEOperator Extra Instructor toRegular Instructor

JAMES McKNIGHTMechanic "B" to Mechanic "A"

CALVERT M. MEADERelief Assistant Division Managerto Assistant Division Manager

JOSEPH E. NEGRONJunior Stock Clerk to Stock Clerk

WILLIAM L. PACKARDStaff Instructor to AssistantChief Instructor

P. F. PODRASKYSchedule Clerk to Multilith Operator

GEORGE M. PORTIERUtility "A" to Mechanic "C"

MELVIN R. PURKEYPILEMechanic "A" to Equipment Foreman I

MYRON L. RUBINMechanic "B" to Mechanic "A"

JOSEPH L. RUCKEROperator to Operator - Extra Instructor

AARON H. RUMMAGEShop Clerk to Mechanic "A"

JOHN SEALEOperator-Extra Instructor toRegular Instructor

M. J. SMITHMechanic "B" to Mechanic "A"

ALLAN W. STYFFEDivision Clerk-Extra ReliefAssistant Division Manager toRelief Assistant Division Manager

ROGERS H. TIFFANYPrint Shop Clerk to Mileage Clerk

ALBERT TOUSSANTMechanic "A" to Mechanic "A" Leadman

HOMER TURNERJanitor to Janitor - Mail Carrier

GUADALUPE J. URESTIOperator - Extra Supervisor to Supervisor

ALBERT LAVERN WHITESupervisor & Extra Dispatcherto Dispatcher

Division 8 "Drive WithPride" Contest WinnerDivision 8 received the MayDrive With Pride first placetrophy with a 35.2% reductionin accidents for the month.

Second place went to Divi-sion 12 with a 26.5% reductionand Division 2 was third with areduction of 18.5%.

During brief presentationceremonies Max Rise, generalsuperintendent of transporta-tion and assistant JohnnyJohnston brought the operatorsup-to-date on what the Districtis doing to improve and updateservice and equipment.

RTD Commended ForCommunity ServiceThe Los Angeles CountyDepartment of Beaches hascommended the District for thebusing service inaugurated toaid the Junior Lifeguards andExceptional Children pro-grams. Max Rise, generalsuperintendent of transporta-tion, coordinated the programs,which permit the District tocarry youngsters from East LosAngeles and Watts to RedondoBeach. The service was imple-mented at the request of Super-visor Burton Chace.

Knox Visits RTDWilliam E. Knox, minister fortransport of Queensland,Australia, was a guest at theDistrict. He conferred withmanagement concerning theRTD's current and Jong-rangeplanning.

Employees represented by theDistrict's three labor unions —Amalgamated Transit Union,Brotherhood of Railway andAirline Clerks, and the UnitedTransportation Union—arescheduled to receive improvedpension plan benefits effectiveSeptember 1, 1971.

At this time, all active union-represented employees will beeligible for the improved bene-fits, except those whose 65thbirthdays occur prior to Sep-tember 1, and those who wereclassified as Group "C" or "D"employees (non-contributory)in their respective plans imme-diately prior to September 1.

The amended plan will resultin substantially higher monthlypension benefits on retirementsoccurring on or after that date.These benefits will be based ona formula combining bothwages and years of service, asopposed to the flat dollaramount for years of serviceunder the existing plan.

Other major Features of theamended plan:1. On September 1, 1971 each

plan will be funded entirelyby the District. The lastpayment made by contractemployees will be for themonth of August.

2. Retirement at age 55 with aminimum of 10 years priorand current service.

3. A minimum of 10 years ofcontinuous service (insteadof the present 20) will berequired for permanent dis-ability retirement. Age is nolonger a factor.

4. Death benefits: added

options are available provid-ing greater security for bene-ficiary when death occursafter retirement. Whendeath occurs prior to retire-ment, the benefit is limitedto a return of individual con-tributions.

5. Vested, or earned pensionbenefits after 10 years ofprior and current serviceenable an employee to leavethe District and retain hissretirement benefits, with themonthly benefit commenc-ing at age 55 through 64. Forthe employee to retainvested pension, his contribu-tion, if any, must remain ondeposit with the Trust Fund.

6. After September 1, 1971severance benefit will be lim-ited to a return of contribu-tions only. In the case ofemployees leaving the serv-ice of the District on or afterSeptember 1, 1971 andchoosing not to retain vestedbenefits of having less than10 years of prior and currentservice, contributions, ifany, will be refunded with-out interest.A detailed explanatory

booklet will be available toemployees represented by allthree unions prior to Septem-ber 30, 1971. The District andthe Pension Committee of eachplan have appointed MelMarquardt of the IndustrialRelations Department to helpemployees in their retirementplanning. Further informationcan be obtained or privateappointment set by phoninghim at (213) 749-6977.

U.S. POSTAGE

DuniBULK RATE

Los Angeles, Calif.Permit No. 28201

Southern California Rapid Transit District1060 South Broadway, Los Angeles 90015