New Talks Fail to Avert Hearing on RTD Cuts

On the eve of a public hearing on possible massive cutbacks in Los Angeles-area bus service, some progress was reported late Monday in top-level negotiations aimed at averting the cuts and de-escalating the county’s transit agency wars.

Nonetheless, after a three-hour, closed-door session between officials of the Southern California Rapid Transit District and the county Transportation Commission, no breakthrough was reported on a key dispute over nearly $50 million in RTD funding being withheld by the commission.

As a result, RTD President Gordana Swanson said the transit district board will proceed today with a public hearing on a possible 50% reduction in bus service beginning Jan. 2. If implemented, the cuts would be among the most disruptive in RTD history and affect hundreds of thousands of the RTD’s riders in Los Angeles and surrounding counties.

RTD critics have said there is little likelihood the cuts will actually occur and that a funding agreement will be reached. They have charged transit district officials with whipping up public concern as part of a campaign to pressure the commission into releasing funds withheld in a dispute over recently negotiated RTD labor agreements.

RTD officials insist that they are serious about the possibility of huge cuts, including elimination of all evening and weekend service, one-third of rush-hour service and half of midday service on weekdays.

The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. in the RTD’s downtown headquarters.

At Monday’s closed-door negotiating session at the county Hall of Administration were three members of the RTD board, led by Swanson, and three commissioners, led by chairman and county Supervisor Pete Schabarum. Reporters waiting in a hallway outside the meeting could hear a frank and spirited exchange between Swanson and Schabarum, with each accusing the other of being uncompromising and using heavy-handed tactics.

Afterward, Swanson described the session as “productive,” but neither she nor Schabarum would comment on details. Both said the two sides had agreed to meet again, although no time or date was set.

The conflicts between the two agencies have run long and deep, dating back to the early 1980s when the commission assumed a powerful new role as distributor of county transit funds.

Extend Influence

But the battles have increased dramatically in the last year as the commission, under the chairmanship of RTD critic Schabarum, has attempted to exert more influence in a variety of areas. These include trying to take over the RTD’s Metro Rail subway project and trying to replace some RTD service with lower-cost, private bus companies.

RTD officials and union leaders have charged that the commission is power-hungry and out to break up the regional transit agency. Commission officials say they are just trying to ensure that transit funds are used efficiently and that the much-criticized RTD improves its operation.

The disputes have come to a head over what the commission claims is the RTD’s failure to meet its guidelines in new labor agreements. The commission has withheld $9 million per month in RTD funds since July, charging the RTD failed to obtain required changes in the new labor agreements covering bus drivers and mechanics. These include limits on pay raises, stronger management rights and improved opportunities for contracting for services with private companies.