Struggling to hire bus drivers, Norwalk reduces bus service
NORWALK – Norwalk is temporarily reducing bus service as it struggles to find and hire bus drivers.
The service reductions went into effect Sunday and impact four Norwalk Transit Service routes.
Officials said the service cuts were necessary due to a nationwide shortage of bus operators due to the pandemic.
“NTS has strived to maintain its commitment of providing a full level of fixed-route transit service throughout the pandemic but the bus operator shortage has been a nationwide issue that has affected several public transportation agencies,” said Mayor Rick Ramirez. “The service adjustments were approved to avoid further service disruptions.”
The service reductions are listed below:
Route 1 – There will be a temporary reduction in the number of assigned buses from six to five resulting in a reduction in frequency of service from buses arriving every 30 minutes to an estimated arrival time of every 37 minutes
Route 4 – The Route 4 express bus service is being temporarily discontinued. This route provides supplementary support to the regular Route 4 buses for commuter rail passengers to travel non-stop between the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Metrolink commuter station and the Green Line Light Rail Station.
Route 7 – The Route 7 shuttle service is being temporarily discontinued. This route provides supplementary support to the regular Route 7 buses for passengers traveling non-stop between the El Monte Bus Station and Rio Hondo College.
Route 7 – Buses will arrive approximately every 60 minutes instead of the usual 45-50 minutes.
Also effective Sunday, Norwalk Transit resumed front door boarding and fare collection, which was temporarily on pause since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
Norwalk Transit provides bus service on six routes within the southeast region of Los Angeles County including Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, El Monte, La Habra, La Mirada, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier and unincorporated Los Angeles County.