Controversial Green Line

There have been both shortcomings and positive progress in developing the new rapid transit system. The fact that the cars will not be interchangeable on the various lines is definitely a disadvantage because it prohibits the use of cars on other routes during rush hours or peak repair times.

On the other hand, the decision to order automated cars for the Green Line was a wise one. Among the factors that doomed the Pacific Electric’s Big Red Cars were the fact that the system became labor intensive, thus demanding fare hikes that turned off riders. The nationalist criticism of this decision against automated cars is very much like the cry to cut imports of the Japanese automobiles apparently preferred by American buyers. The purpose of a transit system is to move passengers quickly and at a low cost--not to provide jobs or subsidize a company that offers archaic technology.

SPENCER CRUMP, Corona del Mar. The writer is author of “Ride the Big Red Cars,” a history of the Pacific Electric.