Demise of Red Cars
A quick comment on the recent letter “Red Car Murder,” (that) insisted that the Red Cars were “murdered” by oil, automobile and tire interests to make us dependent on the automobile:
The autopsy was conclusive.
The Red Cars died a natural death, unable to provide efficient and cost-effective transportation to fill the needs of the expanding Los Angeles area.
Commuter rail systems all over the country would probably follow the example of the Red Cars if they were not kept alive by massive infusions of taxpayer money, which is why many have urged Orange County transportation officials to give up the idea of building a commuter light rail system.
And we are not overly dependent on the automobile.
Instead, we are more independent because of the automobile.
This is why, even in (areas) like Chicago and New York where there are extensive commuter rail and bus systems, the favorite method of commuting is driving by oneself.
T.A. SCHENACH
Huntington Beach
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