County Needs Rail Service

Skepticism about rail transportation in Orange County is steadily giving way to reality as residents and public officials recognize that although the automobile may always remain king of the traffic-choked road, alternatives, such as rail, are a must to avoid gridlock.

It is too bad that such public awareness and support did not develop long ago, but better late than never.

There have been several recent proposals to improve and increase rail transportation. One calls for more commuter service on the Amtrak line between San Clemente and Los Angeles. New commuter service along the existing Santa Fe Railroad tracks through the Santa Ana Canyon between Riverside and Orange County has also been proposed. And Orange County officials would also like to see Los Angeles County connect its planned light-rail line to Norwalk to Orange County.

There have also been proposals to connect a monorail that McDonnell Douglas is planning in the county airport area to Irvine’s new Amtrak station and Costa Mesa’s South Coast Metro area. And high-speed trains have been proposed between Las Vegas and Southern California, with a possible stop in Anaheim.

Last Monday the Orange County Transportation Commission tried to bring some coordination and direction to the scattered efforts by ordering a study to determine precisely what Orange County’s rail options are.

As traffic grows worse, along with motorists’ frustration, two things become more obvious: Rail service is an increasingly acceptable alternative, and Orange County residents, as their neighbors in Los Angeles and San Diego have already done, must help fund transportation improvements with at least a half-cent increase in the county sales tax.

A Transportation Commission opinion survey has indicated that most voters would approve that tax if it meant the money would be used for more Amtrak service and a new rail system. The commission should put plans for such service on the fast track. The automobile will always be the main mode of transportation in Orange County, but the county needs a balanced transportation system. Without rail service, a balanced system is not possible.