ORANGE LINE CHAOS MOTORIST INVOLVED IN FIRST MAJOR COLLISION MAY HAVE BEEN USING CELLULAR PHONE.

Byline: Lisa Mascaro and Josh Kleinbaum Staff Writers

VALLEY GLEN - Fifteen people were injured Wednesday when a 78-year-old woman believed to be talking on a cell phone ran a red light and collided with a Orange Line bus - the first major accident on the new busway, prompting immediate calls for beefed-up safety measures, officials said.

Soon after the 2:15 p.m. crash - which followed a minor collision in the morning - MTA officials ordered Orange Line drivers to slow to 10 mph at all intersections and said they would consider other options such as crossing gates.

Officials also urged drivers to pay attention to dozens of new signals across south San Fernando Valley intersections.

The two crashes came just three days after the 14-mile busway officially opened and after a number of near-misses since bus drivers began training in mid-September.

``Everything's on the table and will be on the table until we're satisfied it's as safe as it can be,'' said MTA Valley General Manager Richard Hunt. ``If we can identify changes, if we can identify ways to improve the operation of the busway, we're going to do that.''

The most serious crash occurred when a Woodland Hills woman, who is believed to have been talking on a cell phone, ran a red light at Woodman Avenue, officials said. Her Toyota Camry hit the bus and then spun around and hit it again before stopping, they said.

The woman suffered serious injuries but was in good conidition late Wednesday. Fourteen people on the bus were sent to local hospitals but suffered only minor injuries.

``Nobody was seriously hurt,'' said Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Carlos Calvillo. ``We're fortunate.''

About three hours earlier, a motorist made an illegal right turn on a red light from Topham Avenue onto Corbin Avenue and collided with an Orange Line bus. An onboard Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department fare-checker was taken to the hospital with a minor leg injury, said sheriff's Sgt. Dave Willard.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's safety task force - which met Wednesday morning - is investigating further measures including long-disputed crossing gates.

Officials also reminded motorists to pay extra close attention when driving near the busway.

``The biggest issue is getting drivers alerted to the fact that the buses are running,'' said Capt. Ron Marbrey of the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Traffic Bureau. ``We're going to ask the public to please take their time as they go through intersections. These lights can turn red on them very quickly. They've got to slow down.''

Wednesday's crashes brought the number to three for the busway, following a collision with a vehicle that made an illegal right-on-red turn last week during test runs.

Even before the Orange Line opened for business Monday, drivers of the 30-ton buses had been reporting close calls during practice trips and had been ordered to take their foot off the accelerator as they pass through intersections so they could hit the brakes more quickly.

Safety has been a key issue for busway critics who have repeatedly called for crossing gates and other safety measures to protect Valley drivers from the big, double-long buses.

``This is what we've been saying the last four years,'' said Victory Park resident Elle Saling, who refuses to drive through the busway intersections.

``I want crossing gates. I don't want them to put the responsibility on the citizens of this city. It's a dangerous project.''

But Los Angeles officials had previously said the Orange Line's intersections can be handled without gates, which they say would slow down cross traffic.

Gates can also be costly, though the city's Department of Transportation has been researching cheaper devices that can move faster than traditional rail-crossing arms.

Critics said the go-slow order smacked of the experience in Miami-Dade, Florida, home of the nation's first busway, which slowed buses through intersections after experiencing crashes. Officials there are now considering adding crossing gates.

The new 10 mph slowing order through Valley intersections will add up to two minutes to the 40-minute cross-Valley trip, officials said.

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, the MTA board member who has championed the line, said every possible safety measure will be considered.

``We'll look at all the options that are available,'' said Yaroslavsky, who had dashed off a letter after the morning crash that had called on the MTA to slow the buses through the intersections.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and others last week called for a task force to study safety after he had a close call during a preview ride. The task force had its first meeting earlier Wednesday.

``The mayor is committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to make the Orange Line as safe as possible,'' spokeswoman Janelle Erickson said. ``Whether that is better signaling, more signals or the installation of gate crossings.''

Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, chairwoman of the council's Transportation Committee, will hold a special meeting today, calling in the LAPD, MTA and others to review what happened and what steps are needed.

``Originally, I wanted a report every month, but I think this accident shows we need to discuss it now,'' the councilwoman said.

The Orange Line operates on an old rail line, but doesn't get automatic priority through intersections as would a train. It gets as many green lights as possible, but still has to stop for cross traffic.

At some intersections, such as Burbank/Fulton, drivers had already been ordered to slow to 25 mph.

Former Los Angeles transit official Tom Rubin, a busway foe, said he agreed with the new slowing orders, saying that without them crashes could continue.

``I think it is rather clear already that a lot of people have been making very bad decisions,'' Rubin said.

``The intersections are very strange, and the directions to the drivers and the pedestrians are very strange, particularly for somebody who is approaching the intersection for the first time, and particularly for people who can't comprehend signs in English.''

During the afternoon incident, about 40 people were on board the eastbound bus when it collided with the southbound Toyota Camry at Woodman.

The crash wreaked havoc on the afternoon commute as streets were shut down and traffic mounted.

Orange Line buses detoured for about 90 minutes around the scene before that part of the busway was back in service.

Resident Joe Guncher said he saw the car and passengers being transported in ambulances.

``It was smashed like an accordion,'' he said of the Camry.

He's critical of the Orange Line.

``It's a $335 million debacle. We saw this coming. It never made sense to us. Unless you're paying attention - and who's paying attention nowadays ... this won't be the first time.''

Al Abrams, who runs Ceramic Art Space in a minimall at the intersection, called the crash the ``tip of the iceberg.''

But Harry Tran, who was washing his clothes at the minimall self-service laundry, said drivers have to get used to the signals.

``People, they have to get used to this. The people on the Metro Line have to figure out something better,'' he said. ``The good thing is there's going to be less traffic in the future. For now I think the main concern is safety.''

Staff Writers Susan Abram, Rick Orlov and Lisa Sodders contributed to this report.

Lisa Mascaro, [phone]

lisa.mascaro(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

4 photos, map

Photo:

(1 -- color) Bus passengers are treated by Los Angeles firefighters and paramedics Wednesday after a collision between an Orange Line bus and car in Valley Glen that injured at least 15 people.

Mike Meadows/Special to the Daily News

(2 -- color) A woman is secured to a stretcher Wednesday after being injured in a collision between an Orange Line bus and car.

(3 -- color) L.A. firefighters carry a woman who was injured in the first major collision on the San Fernando Valley's new transit system. At least 15 people were hurt in the incident.

(4 -- color) Debris from a collision between an Orange Line bus and a Toyota Camry is seen Wednesday near the intersection of Woodman Avenue and Oxnard Street in Valley Glen.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

Map:

Orange Line crash site