Mayor Studies Single Agency for Rail Work

Joining other political leaders calling for reform, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley said Wednesday that consideration should be given to placing under a single jurisdiction all local commuter train construction projects, including the Metro Rail subway and the Long Beach-to-Los Angeles light rail line.

Bradley’s press deputy, Ali Webb, said the mayor is “leaning toward” advocating that a single agency be created. Bradley himself said, however, that he wants a consultant to make a “quick study” before he takes a stand.

The mayor said he does not believe that severe measures are necessary to deal with the problems of the Southern California Rapid Transit District.

Asked whether he continues to have faith in the RTD, considering a series of recent troubles, Bradley replied: “Yes, I have faith in the RTD. I believe Mr. (RTD General Manager John) Dyer will be making reports that will cover recommendations he’s making on changes and corrections.”

Dyer is due to report to the RTD board today on a “performance action plan.” Bradley said he will not join those who have called for Dyer’s resignation.

On the question of creating one agency for rail transit construction, “this is a proposal that deserves attention,” Bradley said at a meeting of the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission.

Bradley on Wednesday became chairman of the commission, which along with the RTD is responsible for regional mass transit. As mayor, Bradley has had automatic membership on the 11-member commission. The position of chairman rotates among members.

The commission is in charge of the $700-million Long Beach-to-Los Angeles light rail line that is under construction and is scheduled to begin operation by 1990. At the same time, RTD has begun construction on the first 4.4-mile, $1.25-billion subway segment of the Los Angeles Metro Rail.

A single agency could ensure better coordination of the projects, which will meet at 7th and Flower streets downtown, Bradley said.

Bradley’s new chairmanship of the commission, which by state statute has oversight responsibility over the RTD, and his suggestion that a single transit agency in charge of rail construction might be necessary, further signals that a transit agency overhaul may be in the works.

The impetus for change has followed persistent reports of RTD mismanagement and such bus system problems as drug use among drivers.

Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sepulveda), chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, has already expressed frustration with different transportation agencies conducting similar and related tasks.

Bradley’s proposal was general and did not address whether a proposed new agency would consist of present RTD and commission members and staff or new members. If the commission in a future meeting agrees with Bradley’s suggestion to do a study, Webb said, a consultant will lay out specific options.

Legislative Approval

Even if the commission agrees that a single agency should oversee rail construction, it will have to be given final approval by the Legislature, which created the commission to oversee and coordinate transit planning and spending.

The mayor’s proposal stops short of a similar one made by Katz, who has said he is considering pushing legislation that would create a super-transit agency in place of the commission and the RTD. Under Bradley’s suggestion, a super-agency would oversee the construction of rail projects only. “I’m not requesting that operations be taken from RTD,” Bradley said.

He also took issue with a proposal from state Sen. Alan Robbins (D-Van Nuys) that would require that the RTD board, now a mix of small city mayors and council members and appointees by Los Angeles city and county officials, be replaced with a elected body.

“I see great difficulty in trying to elect a countywide board,” Bradley said. “. . . I see a nightmare with that. Why take responsibility from elected officials who have an opportunity for impact to put it into the hands of other elected officials?”