New DASH Service Launches in Pacoima this Weekend

I am thrilled to share that we are gearing up for the launch of DASH Pacoima! This new route is the result of over a year of collaboration and listening to the needs of our community. At LADOT, we believe that public transit should serve everyone, and the DASH Pacoima line is one more  step toward making that vision a reality.

Launching a new DASH line is no small feat. It takes dedication and, most importantly, community involvement. Starting last year, LADOT outreach teams began holding design workshops to identify the schedule and route that would best serve residents of the Northeast San Fernando Valley. Since then, we’ve worked with local schools, community events, shopping centers, grocery stores, faith-based organizations, and small businesses. We targeted a wide range of educational institutions, including LAUSD schools like Pacoima Middle, Arleta High, various elementary schools, charters, vocational, private, and parochial schools to share how our free DASH To Class program can support students’ daily commutes.

We’ve also received community input through various events and engagement activities. Our outreach efforts intensified this month as outreach teams participated in major community events such as the Pacoima Beautiful Arts & Crafts Meetings, Earth Day at Paxton Park, as well as holding pop-up events at grocery stores to spread awareness, build relationships, and make sure that everyone knows about the new route and how it could benefit their daily lives. Hearing firsthand from residents helps shape our approach, making sure that DASH Pacoima truly serves the people who need it most.

Check out the article below for full details of the route and locations served. We are excited to see the positive impact of this route and look forward to seeing you on board!  

DASH Pacoima Service Begins May 3

LADOT is excited to announce the launch of DASH Pacoima, a new community bus route bringing clean, reliable, and affordable transportation to the heart of the Pacoima community. Starting Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, DASH Pacoima will provide improved connections to key destinations, including schools, grocery stores, shopping centers, parks, and popular recreation areas like Hansen Dam Recreation Area, Ritchie Valens Rec Center, LA Kings Valley Ice Center, the Pacoima Public Library, and the San Fernando Bike Path. It also connects residents to the existing Panorama City DASH Route.

DASH Pacoima will operate in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, making it easier for residents to reach their destinations quickly and efficiently. The route will run every 30 minutes operating from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays and from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekends. Service will not operate on five major holidays.

This project was made possible through a partnership with Greening Together Collaborative and Pacoima Beautiful, reflecting a shared commitment to clean mobility and environmental equity. As part of a broader effort to expand transit access and reduce emissions, DASH Pacoima will be fully served by 100% battery-electric buses, helping improve air quality in the neighborhood. Funding for these electric buses and new charging infrastructure was made possible through a Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant.

To celebrate the new route, DASH Pacoima service will be free for the month of May. Learn more about DASH Pacoima and other LADOT Transit services at ladottransit.com.                   

Rubina Ghazarian, Supervising Transportation Planner II   

Rubina is a Supervising Transportation Planner II who oversees the Transportation Planning and Policy and Universal Basic Mobility Division at LADOT.  A proud immigrant of Armenian descent from Lebanon, Rubina moved to Los Angeles with her family at a young age. “What makes Los Angeles so special is that millions share a story like mine, people who've risked everything for opportunity but may not have access to all the supportive services they need to succeed,” Rubina shares. “This is what drove me toward public service and why I find working as a transportation planner at LADOT so fulfilling.”

Having worked at LADOT for over a decade, Rubina has led transformative projects across the City, including planning Los Angeles' first protected bicycle lanes on Los Angeles Street and MyFigueroa, launching the Metro Bike Share system in Downtown LA, modernizing transportation impact measures under CEQA, and developing a City-wide transportation investment strategy. Most recently, she has been supporting the Universal Basic Mobility team in investing $30 million in transportation projects and services in South LA to improve access to opportunity. "LADOT is transforming how people can get around Los Angeles,” she says.

For those looking to explore LA’s Armenian culture, she recommends visiting Little Armenia, designated in 2000 to honor the community’s significant “presence and voice in Los Angeles.” Located in East Hollywood, the neighborhood offers diverse food options accessible via Metro B Line, DASH Hollywood, numerous Metro Bus Lines, and LADOT's recent Hollywood Safety and Mobility Project.

For Rubina, it’s the people who make LA unique. “What makes LA so special is the people who make it a diverse, creative, cultural hub,” Rubina shares. “It’s a privilege to help plan for the mobility needs of the City's current and future residents, giving everyone an opportunity to thrive.”  

CicLAmini Comes to Pico-Union May 18

CicLAmini is back on May 18! Unlike regular CicLAvias, CicLAmini routes are shorter, pedestrian-oriented experiences featuring activities, street games, local business engagements, and art and cultural activities along the whole route. This time, we’re opening up 1.4 miles of Pico Blvd from Normandie to Union for CicLAmini: Pico Union!

Join us from 10-3 on Sunday, May 18 for the 60th CicLAvia Open Streets event and get ready to explore by foot, bike, skateboard–however you choose! CicLAmini is free for all and family-friendly. View the route and learn more information at ciclavia.org. 

Transportation Photos of the Week

Destinations accessible along the new DASH Pacoima route include the Panorama City Library, the LA Kings Valley Ice Center, the Hansen Dam Recreation Area, and the San Fernando Road Bike Path.