Rail Bond Measure Defeated

The Southern California Assn. of Governments (SCAG) is daunted by the fact that Prop. 156, the $1 billion rail bond measure, was defeated in the November election. It is a serious blow for continuing the financing of rail transit systems in the state and especially in our region. Prop. 156, if it had received the voters’ approval, would have meant that cities like Los Angeles would have benefited because a considerable amount of the bond money would pay for expanded rail lines.

Times staff writer Mark Stein, writing in his post-election article on the defeated rail transit measure (Nov. 5), is on target when he states that future highway construction funds may be siphoned off from other regions in California to construct metropolitan rail transit projects such as those on the drawing boards for Los Angeles County and up in the San Francisco area. For the next 20 years we are on a course of action to construct rail systems in the region.

SCAG, as a public agency, cannot campaign for ballot measures. However, as an association of six counties and more than 180 cities, we certainly support ballot proposals like Prop. 156.

A regional mass transit system will eventually provide area commuters with an opportunity to leave their automobiles at home and use clean, efficient and swift rail networks for daily trips to and from work. Perhaps in future elections voters will understand the consequential effect of not providing funds for rail transit and support essential rail bond measures.

JOHN LONGVILLE

Member, Southern California Regional

Rail Authority and President of SCAG