Foothill Transit, a joint powers authority of 22 member cities in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, was created in 1988 after the former Southern California Rapid Transit District (RTD) announced service cuts and fare increases that would negatively impact the San Gabriel Valley. In an effort to provide better public transportation options for the community while reducing costs and improving local control, the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission (LACTC) approved Foothill Transit's application to assume operation of 14 lines which were operated by the RTD.

Fixed-route bus service began in December 1988 with operation of Lines 495 and 498. The remaining 12 lines were transferred to Foothill Transit over a period of five years. Foothill Transit also assumed administration of the Bus Service Continuation Project and began providing service on an additional six lines that were abandoned by the RTD. The agency analyzed the transit need for the region and began modifying existing lines, increasing weekday service, introducing weekend service, and creating new service.

Foothill Transit now operates 33 fixed-route local and express lines, covers 327 square miles, and serves 14 million customers each year.  This number is up from 9.5 million at the time of Foothill Transit's original application.

In 2002, Foothill Transit entered a cleaner new era by beginning its conversion to a compressed natural gas (CNG) fleet. Since then, Foothill Transit has put into service 262 CNG buses and is planning to retire the last vehicles in its diesel fleet by 2013. The agency also opened its second operations and maintenance facility in September 2002. Located on the border of Arcadia and Irwindale, it joined Foothill Transit’s first agency-owned facility in Pomona, which opened in 1997. Prior to the opening of these facilities, the agency had to rely on its operations contractors to provide their own facilities. In 2007, Foothill Transit’s administrative offices were relocated to the Vincent Avenue building purchased in 2006. This purchase enabled the investment of capital dollars to offset ongoing operating costs associated with the operating lease of the prior administrative office space on Barranca Avenue.

In 2007, Foothill Transit launched the region’s first cross-valley, high occupancy bus service – the Silver Streak.  Covering approximately 40 miles – from Montclair to Grand and Olympic in downtown Los Angeles – the Silver Streak route spends about five percent of its total trip time on surface streets, utilizing freeways and HOV lanes for quick commuting between designated station stops. The Silver Streak was also the first public transit service in Southern California to offer customers free mobile WiFi service on all 30 of its 60-foot articulated buses.  WiFi service was discontinued in early 2009 due to technological advancements and looming operating budget cuts from the state.
 
In FY 2011, the agency takes a bold step in zero-emission bus technology with the implementation of the first-of-its-kind all-electric Ecoliner. The Ecoliner will begin operation with a demonstration project of three buses, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), in Summer 2010. These vehicles will be the first all-electric transit buses ever to utilize in-route fast charging capability, enabling them to remain in service throughout the day without having to leave the route to be charged before returning to service.

The American Public Transportation Association recognized Foothill Transit in 2001 with their “Bus Safety Gold Award,” dubbing Foothill Transit the safest transit agency of its size. Foothill Transit was also named “Outstanding Transit System” of its size by APTA in 1993 and 1995.  The National Safety Council, Greater Los Angeles Chapter, recognized Foothill Transit in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2001 with first-place awards for its safety programs.

In FY 2011, the agency will enter its 23^rd year of transportation service to the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.  Several landmark initiatives will be rolled out in the upcoming fiscal year which will expand Foothill Transit’s infrastructure and enhance its sustainability