More freeway patrols

Free lane-side assistance from the Metro Freeway Service Patrol is expanding to the 210 west of Pasadena and to I-5 from Sylmar up to Lake Hughes Road in Castaic. Trucks swoop around during rush hour and help you with flat tires, stalls and anything else that interrupts traffic flow. You can summon a truck from a freeway call box or by dialing #399 on a cell phone. This service costs the MTA and Caltrans $2.7 million for three years.