Red Line Subway Debut

In response to “52,800 Ride the Rails of History as Subway Rolls,” Jan. 31:

I rode the Red Line on Jan. 30. It was terrific! I wasn’t alone in my enthusiasm. Thousands of other riders praised it, too.

For me being there opening day of the Wilshire subway was personally satisfying. For more than 25 years I have volunteered my support advocating heavy rail for Los Angeles. I still continue in that capacity today, also promoting light-rail extensions, especially along Exposition Boulevard, from downtown L.A. to Santa Monica. Outside of the Hollywood segment of the proposed Red Line, the Exposition Boulevard corridor is the second in density (12,800 persons per square mile).

I predict the Red Line will continue to attract heavy loads of fare passengers. The former Pacific Electric subway-Hollywood line carried as many patrons as 16,380,874, and that was in the 1924.

The Los Angeles subway has ushered in a new area--a renaissance of transit and development.

FRANK L. BETTGER

Los Angeles