Seventeen people were injured -- one seriously -- in two collisions between cars and Orange Line buses Wednesday, heightening concerns about the safety of the new transitway designed to speed trips across the San Fernando Valley.
Within minutes of the second accident, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials issued an order for all Orange Line buses to slow to 10 mph when approaching green lights.
Other officials called for additional safety measures on the 14-mile route, including railroad-style crossing gates. But extra safety measures could affect one of the line's main selling points: a faster commute.
Orange Line critics and nearby residents had been predicting collisions even before the busway's opening Saturday, saying the crossings were confusing and dangerous for motorists.
The busway is the only transit system of its kind in the region, designed to operate like light rail but using specially designed buses instead of train cars on its own roadway across the south San Fernando Valley. But the $324-million Orange Line does not employ railroad crossing-style arms or lights to prevent motorists from crossing that roadway while a bus approaches, relying instead on traffic lights and warning signs.
Both accidents Wednesday apparently involved motorists running red lights.
MTA officials said they will go back to the drawing board regarding safety measures.
"Everything is on the table," said Richard Hunt, the MTA's general manager for the San Fernando Valley area, at the scene of Wednesday's second accident.
The crashes took place on the fifth day of operation of the busway, which has been attracting more than 10,000 boardings on weekdays.
During a test run last week, a similar collision occurred but caused no injuries.
The more serious collision Wednesday occurred shortly after 2 p.m., at Woodman Avenue and Oxnard Street in Valley Glen. A 78-year-old woman driving south on Woodman -- who, witnesses told police, was talking on a cellphone -- ran a red light and crashed into the midsection of a bus, spun around and struck the bus again.
Fourteen aboard the bus were taken to hospitals with minor injuries, mostly back and neck complaints, said Brian Humphrey, spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The car's driver was in fair condition at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills. Her condition had originally been listed as critical.
