The Department of Transportation will open a new DASH route in Pacoima, providing convenient and sustainable transportation for residents to get to grocery stores, schools, work and other major transit hubs, Los Angeles city officials announced Friday.
In celebration of the new route, DASH Pacoima will offer free rides starting Saturday through May 31. The route will be fully served by 14 electric battery-powered buses funded by the state’s Transformative Climate Communities grant program, which also supported charging stations at DOT’s North Region Bus Yard.
“With this brand new route, residents will now have access to a more reliable, cleaner and sustainable all-electric local bus service that also promotes greater access for all to visit the San Fernando Valley in the coming years,” Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. “The new DASH Pacoima route represents our continued investments in the San Fernando Valley for healthy and climate resilient infrastructure.”
According to the department, the new route was made possible through a partnership with Greening Together Collaborative and Pacoima Beautiful.
On Friday, Laura Rubio-Cornejo, the DOT General Manager, referred to the introduction of the new route as an “exciting milestone” for Pacoima. She was accompanied at the celebration by City Councilmembers Monica Rodriguez and Imelda Padilla, representatives of northeastern San Fernando Valley communities, to mark this initiative.
“This new DASH route will offer a vital link to local facilities and our broader transit system, making it both accessible and budget-friendly. This initiative exemplifies our dedication to supporting our neighborhoods and guaranteeing that every resident of Los Angeles has access to secure and dependable transport,” Rubio-Cornejo noted.
Rodriguez mentioned that she aimed to obtain funding for the second DASH route, which would include designated stops close to schools and important locations. This was done to guarantee “that residents—particularly students, families, and senior citizens—have access to an economical public transportation system that caters to their requirements.”
Padilla mentioned that they are establishing the foundation for Metro’s upcoming East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project, which involves constructing a 6.7-mile railway corridor featuring 11 new stops along Van Nuys Boulevard. This initiative aims to improve transportation options in the region, connecting seamlessly with services like Metrolink, Amtrak, and Metro’s G (Purple) and B (Red) lines.
Recently, Metro initiated work on its G Line Enhancements Project. This endeavor aims to improve the current line through the addition of grade separations and a brand-new elevated station in Van Nuys. Furthermore, the project includes advanced signaling technologies for improved traffic prioritization and an updated barrier system.
These transportation initiatives aim to get Los Angeles ready for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.