BERNSON UNHAPPY AT VALLEY BUS CUTS.

Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer

Angry that the MTA is proposing to cut bus services in the San Fernando Valley, Councilman Hal Bernson of Granada Hills called Wednesday for the agency and city to consider putting in more shuttle buses running on shorter, circular routes.

In a motion to be submitted to the City Council on Tuesday, Bernson asks that the new, experimental Smart Shuttle program be considered to fill gaps left by cutbacks on about a dozen fixed-route bus lines operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

``I am very unhappy with some of the proposed cutbacks,'' Bernson said in a statement issued Wednesday. ``It looks like the Valley is taking a particularly hard hit and this is unacceptable.''

However, city transit chief James Okazaki said the city's Smart Shuttle program is only 3 months old and is still unproven. Okazaki also noted that there may not be money available to expand Smart Shuttle, which is more expensive than traditional fixed-route bus lines because it goes off its route to pick up people who call for service at their homes and businesses.

``There's a shortage of Proposition A and C (transit tax) money to add new services unless we cut something else,'' Okazaki said.

He noted that currently there are four Smart Shuttle lines financed jointly by the city and MTA - including one serving Warner Center and Chatsworth, and another in the northeast San Fernando Valley.

The lines are operated by private contractors, and fares are a little higher than MTA bus fares because the Smart Shuttles make pickups and drop-offs, Okazaki said.

In addition to city transit-fund shortages, MTA spokesman Ed Scanlon said his agency is making cuts in bus service because it has budget problems.

``There's a deficit here, this year, of $50.6 million, so there are a number of things they are doing to close that gap,'' Scanlon said. ``The cuts in bus service are less than $1 million.''

The MTA officials said the cuts proposed are for off-peak hours so the least number of people will be affected.

However, Bernson, who serves on the MTA board, said the cuts on about a dozen Valley bus lines starting in April and June will be devastating to thousands of Valley bus riders.

The councilman voiced particular concern about reductions in weekend service for Line 154 and Lines 168, 236 and 239 in the Valley. Bernson also objects to proposed reductions in midday service on Line 166, which serves Nordhoff Street, including Cal State Northridge and the Northridge Fashion Center.