BURBANK OFFICIALS SAY SHUTTLE GAINING RIDERS.

Byline: Alex Dobuzinskis Staff Writer

BURBANK - Launched more than a month ago to lackluster usage, Burbank Local Transit's shuttle service from the North Hollywood subway station to the studio district has slowly grown in ridership to about 300 passengers a week.

``We'd have liked to see it rise more quickly, but we are still very optimistic that the ridership will continue to grow,'' said Greg Herrmann, assistant community development director.

The NoHo Line South service, which uses two shuttles, runs Monday through Friday mornings and evenings from the North Hollywood Metro Red Line station to the studios and businesses in Burbank's Media District.

The service, which began operating in late February, stops near Warner Bros. Studios, The Walt Disney Co. and Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, and also passes through the Magnolia Park area.

Officials said a total of 625 riders used the system in the past two weeks.

``We're still in the demonstration phase, and we're trying to find out what works,'' said City Councilman Todd Campbell. ``I don't expect complete success out of the gate.''

The city already has a shuttle service connecting the Media District to the Burbank Metrolink station. But, in the months ahead, officials plan more improvements to the city's public transit network.

In May, a fixed-route system is scheduled to replace on-demand van pickup services connecting the Metrolink station to downtown and the airport area.

In August, a NoHo Line North service similar to the NoHo Line South service is scheduled to begin operating between the North Hollywood subway station and the airport area.

``This hopefully fills in the gaps,'' said Herrmann, ``and provides a more localized service for Burbank residents as well.''

Alex Dobuzinskis, [phone]

alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com