Bus Service and Rail Construction

Bill Boyarsky’s column on acting MTA chief Joe Drew would have been more appropriately headlined “Satisfying L.A. County Voters, a Tough Job for MTA CEO.” Drew isn’t trying to satisfy powerful politicians as Boyarsky’s column implies, but Los Angeles County voters who approved Prop. A in 1980 and Prop. C in 1990 specifically to fund integrated rail and bus systems in Los Angeles County. The Pasadena Blue Line isn’t any politician’s “pet project.” It is part of the rail transit system that was promised to voters in 1980, a project that they have been paying taxes to support for nearly 15 years. The way to fix the MTA’s poor bus system is to fix the bus system, not to raise red herrings about rail construction stealing from buses.

As for Drew’s leadership, I can testify it has been a breath of fresh air not only for the MTA but the long-suffering communities the transit agency must work with. I recently attended a meeting with Drew and community and elected officials along the Blue Line corridor. Drew listened and acted on what he heard. Drew spearheaded the effort to cut nearly $200 million from the Blue Line budget and, if the MTA board implements the cost-containment measures, will have the project completed by 2001. I have renewed confidence that under the leadership of the MTA board and Drew, the Blue Line will finally be built.

PAUL LITTLE

Pasadena City Council

* As someone who rides the bus to and from UCLA every day, I could not agree more with your editorial, “Improved Bus Service Should Top the List” (Feb. 28). We riders are packed like sardines into overcrowded, infrequent and expensive buses.

Whether we cannot afford to own and insure our own automobiles, are unable to drive due to physical limitations or are trying to help reduce pollution, we 350,000 riders are fed up! Nonriders should be too.

I do not advocate cutting Metro lines. However, the MTA must manage its money better and the federal government must fund it more. Furthermore, the MTA must provide more frequent and cheaper bus service. The alternative is that we 350,000 riders will start driving cars, whether insured or not. With increased traffic congestion and pollution, this will be a problem that affects every Angeleno.

MARK J. CHEKAL

West Hollywood

* We can only hope that your editorial will be made required reading for all members of the MTA board and its top management.

Not only have you recommended the one thing which can help the MTA regain the respect and the confidence of residents of Los Angeles County--improving and increasing bus service--but you have also recognized that the so-called 20-year plan is no better than the 30-year plan that created most of the problems the authority faces today.

EARL CLARK

General Chairman

United Transportation Union

Irwindale