Transit Panel Got It Wrong
Serbia could not have done a better job of Balkanizing the transportation system of Los Angeles than the L.A. County Transportation Commission did when deciding on the Ventura Freeway alternative over the Burbank-Chandler subway.
Notwithstanding the logic of concentrating even more traffic in an already congested corridor, what really makes the decision unsound and costly down the road is changing the means of transport halfway between the West Valley and downtown L.A. This can only increase inconvenience to riders, resulting in decreased use.
Travel time is so important that no sooner had the paint dried on its trains than Metrolink increased the speed of service from Santa Clarita to downtown to compete with the congested Golden State Freeway.
Why a decision so clearly illogical and opposed by such a vast majority of informed politicians, community members and organizations? Is it because those voting for the cheaper alternative were not from the Valley, and wanted additional money for their communities?
CARY ADAMS
North Hollywood
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
