Foothill Transit Line 187

The way that this service is run makes me think of Third World country transportation. The 187 westbound is consistently late, and every time I file a complaint, I get the same excuse that «it is being investigated.» Today, after the 9^th complaint, I called the manager of the 187 line, Tommy. He is about as useful as the buses. When I asked him to explain how on earth something so essential to public transport can be so mismanaged he replied, «oh, I definitely don’t have time to explain this to you.» Maybe he too was late to work because of his busses…
This is an absolutely ridiculous company that needs to get completely restructured before something horrible happens.

This is the first time I have had occasion to say anything negative about about line 187. I waited at the stop at Green and Raymond, my usual pickup point. I ride my bicycle regularly and take the bus after dark. Tonight in Pasadena there was a music festival and I expected the bus to be a little late. Green is a one-​way street, three lanes wide running east. As the bus rounded the corner onto green, I prepared as usual to put my bike on the rack. I had on my yellow, fluorescent windbreaker, tan shorts and my white bicycle. I waved to the driver, but he never came over to the south side to the stop, never even looked. Not wanting to wait another half hour, I proceeded to ride five miles to the Sierra Madre Villa station where I knew he would eventually show up. I pulled up in front of the standing bus to put my bike on the rack. The door closed and he started shaking his head «no.» I started to go toward the door to see what he meant and he took off, almost hitting me and my bike. This was the 8:50 p.m. run from Raymond and Walnut. Almost all of the other drivers are very kind and offer a hello and a smile.
The only other driver I have encountered with a permanent scowl never has his name plaque up, but I believe his number is 3086. He never says a word, just glares at you when you get on, not just me, everyone. The only time I have ever heard him say anything is when his homies or bros or whatever they are, start talking to him about basketball.
Otherwise, Foothill Transit 187 has served me well over the years. I hope Mr. Alvarado enjoys his new position. I will miss him as a driver.

I take Route 187 regularly and this bus line deserves much credit. It serves Pasadena City College, the Gold Line, and Old Town as well as much of the San Gabriel Valley.
Pros: Most buses are quite clean, comfortable, with plush seating. Fare is $ 1.25 with 50 cent transfers. You can go twice as far for the same price as a Metro fare. You can get just about anywhere in LA with a fare and a transfer and a good set of legs. Also, the 187 doesn’t usually get exceptionally crowded and you can usually find a seat.
So why not 5*?
Cons: Frequently, the bus is late. The bus line is ~20 miles in length and by the time it gets to my stop in East Pasadena, it is not uncommon to be 10 or 15 minutes late.
My first experience with Foothill Transit was not good at all. I am used to manual back doors, since most transit providers have them. When I pressed the back doors waiting for them to open, he glared at me and yelled «Don’t touch my automatic doors!»
Never, before or since, have I had a bus driver take possession of an automatic door like a petulant child playing with a toy in the company of friends.
Nevertheless, Foothill Transit has been constantly faithful in service in the year and a half I have used it. 4*

GOOD:
Essentially from Claremont Colleges to PCC. The buses are coach buses, and the fare is $ 1.25.
BAD:
Foothill can do better though. Too many stops (every third of a mile), in which not enough users board the bus to justify the stops. I rode mine on a weekday (Monday), about afternoon and the bus wasn’t never more than half full. Compared to Metro 190 (on 6÷24÷14), from El Monte Center to CPP was entirely full from boarding to me leaving the bus, and took 40 minutes to travel (7.5 mile trip, so 11.5 mph with an entirely full bus traveling in medium to high density route throughout). Line 187 has way too many stops from Arcadia to Duarte and because the buses aren’t synched to the stoplights, it’s frustratingly slow.
From Irwindale to Pasadena (about 15 miles distance on I210) took about 1 hr 15 minutes. That’s about 12 mph. That’s as fast as a cyclist traveling leisurely, which means certain segments should be sped through if the bus wants to be any what competitive against a car.

Busses are always clean … mostly always on schedual … drivers are friendly & willing to help u if u need

This line tracks Route 66 from Montclair to Pasadena. That makes it a great way to go east or west through the San Gabriel Valley. It also connects to the Metro Gold Line, which will take you to downtown L.A.
And it’s super-​cheap: $ 1 (rising to $ 1.25 on June 27, 2010).
It can be slow at times. They seem to change drivers often, and each change requires sitting parked at a bus stop for 2 to 10 minutes. Nevertheless, it keeps surprisingly close to on-​schedule.