Judge Orders Appointment of Mediator in MTA Bias Suit

The trial of a historic lawsuit accusing the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority of discriminating against low income and minority bus riders was postponed until Oct. 8 in the hopes that the parties can settle their dispute by mediation.

U.S. District Judge Terry J. Hatter Jr. Monday ordered both sides to return to court in two weeks with the name of a mediator they agree on or with up to five names from which he will select a mediator.

A coalition of bus riders and civil rights groups has accused the MTA of neglecting the nation’s most crowded bus system to fund costly rail projects that largely benefit suburban white commuters. The groups are seeking to roll back bus fares and increase funding for the bus system.