A Substitute For Metro Rail
Kenneth Orski is seriously misled. He has it about right regarding the usefulness of converting existing rail corridors to transit use. And we are grateful for his news that rail management is now interested.
As complements to Metro, railroad conversion projects could usefully expand our pitiful public transit facilities; buses could be reassigned to more appropriate short feeder line functions; costs could be reduced to more acceptable levels; faster and more comfortable service could be provided.
But they cannot be a viable alternative to the Metro subway in an urban area the size and population of Los Angeles. The Metro system is a practical solution to the costly, catastrophic automobile/freeway system. Railroad conversion systems can do only a small part of the job.
STANLEY HART
Los Angeles
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