Los Angeles (CNS) -- Motorists whose vehicles break down on Los Angeles city streets at peak commute times will get a free tow under a six-month pilot program approved by the City Council today.
The city's ``Rapid Response Team'' program, suggested earlier this year by Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, will be modeled after the county's Metro Freeway Service Patrol, established in 1991 to tow disabled vehicles from freeways.
Under the plan, tow truck drivers will now assist motorists stranded on city streets between 6 and 10 a.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m. on weekdays, according to a report from the city's Transportation Department.
The program is projected to cost $312,000 a year, but funds were not included in the city's $142 million transportation budget for fiscal 2006-07.
In response, official police garages -- towing companies with city contracts in the police department's 19 patrol areas -- offered its services for free during a six-month trial period.
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