NORTH GLENDALE — With his briefcase in tow, Mayor Ara Najarian strolled three blocks from his North Glendale home to the No. 3 Beeline bus stop on Verdugo Boulevard on Tuesday morning.
Taking the bus is one step toward a "greener" Glendale, which the recently appointed mayor says is at the forefront of his agenda.
In the next few weeks, Najarian plans to consult with city staffers and community members to devise a citywide plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, he said.
But first, he's trying to spread the word about the resources already in place to help Glendale residents minimize their carbon footprint.
"This isn't just window dressing," Najarian said of his choice to ride the Beeline.
"This is the real deal. It's important that we start to think about protecting the environment, not only as elected officials and politicians, but as individuals."
And if there's an obvious resource for people to start taking advantage of, it's the Beeline, Najarian said.
The bus network spans most of the city and, thanks to a city subsidy, each ride costs a mere quarter. The regular fare for a one-way trip on Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses, which also service Glendale, costs $1.25.
Najarian's embrace of the Beeline stems from his former seat on the Glendale Transportation and Parking Commission and his current position as a board member of the MTA, he said.
Sitting in the Beeline across from Najarian, Maggie Manoukian was on her way to visit her daughter, and with gas prices at record highs, taking the bus was a more affordable option, she said.
Manoukian isn't an everyday rider, but she takes it when possible, she said.
Gas right now is "too expensive," Manoukian said.
Area gas prices surpassed a record high on March 9, when the regional average hit $3.48, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California. On Tuesday, the average was down to $3.46, according to the Automobile Club.
But even if gas prices were to fall drastically, Glendale Community College student Inna Yegiyan would still take the Beeline. Since coming to the U.S. three years ago from Armenia, she's relied on the Beeline for a few reasons, she said.
"I can't afford a car," Yegiyan said.
"And [the Beeline stops] very close to my house. It's very convenient, every 15 minutes it's here. I also practice my English on the bus. I can't live without it."
