Community Speaker Calls for Cancellation of NoHo BRT Project Due to Overstated Benefits

The Glendale City Council meeting on August 19, 2025, featured a significant discussion regarding the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project along the North Hollywood to Pasadena route. A local resident presented strong opposition to the project, arguing that the anticipated benefits have been overstated and the costs are excessively high.

The speaker criticized Metro's projections, claiming that the forecast of 30,000 daily riders in the first year is unrealistic, especially in a post-pandemic context where many people work from home and view public transit as unsafe. They highlighted that current ridership on the existing North Hollywood to Pasadena Express Line 501 averages only 1,274 weekday trips, far below its target of 1,750. The speaker provided data suggesting that the BRT would likely attract only 5,000 to 15,000 daily riders, significantly less than Metro's estimates.

Concerns were also raised about the financial implications of the BRT, which is projected to cost taxpayers at least $317 million. The speaker warned that the project could lead to the construction of high-density apartment buildings in Glendale, which would be exempt from parking and rent control requirements, potentially threatening the character of local neighborhoods.

The resident urged the City Council to withdraw support for the BRT project and to direct public works not to issue any permits for its construction in Glendale. They emphasized that failure to act could result in the destruction of middle-class neighborhoods and harm to local businesses along the BRT alignment.

The meeting underscored the community's apprehensions regarding the BRT project, highlighting the need for further evaluation of its projected benefits and impacts on Glendale's neighborhoods. The City Council's response to these concerns remains to be seen as discussions continue.