CITY SET TO TAKE TRANSIT'S PULSE.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - As ridership on Santa Clarita Transit continues to skyrocket, a public meeting Thursday will give residents a chance to weigh in with their bus and train needs.

Every year, the Metropolitan Transit Authority holds a hearing to gather feedback on the public transportation services in Santa Clarita.

``It really allows us to take the pulse of the community and figure out if there are unmet needs,'' said Ron Kilcoyne, the city's transportation manager.

The Transportation Development Act of 1971 sends one-fourth of the sales tax collected in Los Angeles County back to local communities for public transportation needs.

There are no new funds to be allocated, but the hearing is useful in making sure all sections of the city are served equally, Kilcoyne said.

``So when funds do become available because of growth, we know where the needs are, and we can get them there,'' he said.

Last month, ridership on the city's commuter routes grew by 39.8 percent, while 22.8 percent more people rode the local routes.

The bus service posted similar gains in December.