Lower MTA fares to boost ridership

Re “A (higher) ticket to ride,” editorial, Jan. 26

I strongly disagree with your call for a fare hike by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Mass-transit riders subsidize vehicle owners by unclogging the freeways and saving them fuel. And although L.A. has a cheaper system than other major cities, those cities are well-served by their transit systems, while it’s a major challenge getting anywhere here.

Mass-transit riders should be rewarded for their efforts, not penalized, especially in Southern California, where traffic and smog are among the worst in the nation. The MTA should ask: How much cheaper should fares be to get more cars off the freeways?

Coupled with your editorial against carpool lanes for children (Jan. 23), it’s clear that your editorial board has a warped view of transportation.

RAPHAEL MAZOR

Long Beach