Heavy Toll of Light-Rail

In response to Ann Kenzel’s letter in which she missed the trains of Chicago and wished to inflict these problems on our neighborhood, I answer with a resounding, “No!” We have been resisting above-ground trains through our neighborhoods because we know of the real dangers these trains would inflict.

Two years ago, while I was serving on a citizens panel for transportation solutions, a rail consultant from Canada tried to talk us into accepting a light-rail line. He told us it would take a year for us to get used to the trains, and that during that time there would be no deaths, just injuries.

Try telling that to the 11 children whose mother was killed crossing the Blue Line light-rail tracks.

The consultant also told us the light-rail trains are heavier than the Metro Rail subway cars because light-rail has to withstand crashing into a 16-wheel truck.

Tell that to the man in the hospital whose car collided with the Blue Line train.

A Los Angeles County Transportation commissioner told us we have to respect the train, and that we had 18 seconds to clear the tracks once we see the trains.

Go explain this timetable to the teen-age boy who was hit by the Blue Line train and lost some toes.

“A small price to pay for the betterment of others,” you mumble, before you turn to the comics page. Not if it’s your mother, your child, your neighbor, or a complete stranger. No life is worth being sacrificed.

JULIE FINE

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