LOS ANGELES, Calif.–A Caltrans 800-line for transportation information in Los Angeles County will be replaced with a new number, (323) GO.METRO, it was announced today.
Caltrans, the state agency, decided to discontinue 1-800-COMMUTE for financial reasons, said Jose Ubaldo of Metro. The service was costing Caltrans $800,000 annually.
Metro will take over the service, handling an estimated 50,000 calls a week from riders seeking assistance with bus and rail trip planning, Ubaldo said.
Ubaldo said the change should result in improved service since Metro customers will not have to navigate a “phone tree” to reach a live information agent.
Later in the month, Caltrans will put a message on 1-800-COMMUTE announcing the change.
A few people may have to pay toll call rates with the new number, but most will not.
