COUNCIL APPROVES TRANSIT HUB DESIGN FUNDS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

Even though a site has yet to be found, the Los Angeles City Council took another step closer Friday to establishing a permanent transit hub for the Warner Center area.

``This is an important step to bringing in something that is needed badly in the area,'' Councilwoman Laura Chick said following the council's vote to set aside $25,000 to design plans for the facility.

``All of this is designed to reduce traffic, to get people out of their cars and use Warner Center as a destination point for many people.''

An interim transit hub has been in operation since March on the east side of The Promenade at Woodland Hills mall.

Chick said the city is still looking for a permanent site and the selection has been narrowed down to two or three parcels.

The transit hub is being financed through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and a transit trust fund, Chick said.

``If this is successful, it also will be a way to reduce traffic fees for Warner Center,'' Chick said.

Plans for the permanent facility call for MTA and DASH buses to stop there, providing service throughout the area. A park-and-ride facility also is expected to be included.