Questions and Answers About Your Commute : MetroLink Not Intended to Replace Autos

Dear Traffic Talk:

Correct me if I’m wrong.

But, if MetroLink was built with our tax dollars in an attempt to get our cars off the highway, then why is it so expensive to ride?

Don Leibowitz

San Fernando

Dear Don:

Although the MetroLink suburban train system was built with taxpayer money, it was not necessarily built to get cars off the road, according to Charlene Ariza, a spokeswoman for the agency.

The train service was built mainly as an alternative method of transportation for Southern Californians, she said.

MetroLink operates in six zones covering five counties: Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange and a stop in the city of Oceanside in San Diego County. It costs $3.50 to ride one way within one of these zones and $1 more per each additional zone, Ariza said.

The agency sells other types of tickets for frequent riders that cost less than the regular one-way type, she said.

Each MetroLink ticket is also valid for one bus fare from train stops to sites in the cities, Ariza said.

The agency charges fees it feels are reasonable for commuters, many of whom use the service to travel as far as 70 miles one way, she said.

Ariza said that, even with price changes in gas and other forms of transportation, MetroLink has not increased the tolls it opened with in 1992.

Dear Traffic Talk:

I have been puzzled by the following question since I became a mother eight years ago:

What is the definition of “a person” for the purpose of using the carpool lanes?

Since the reason the lanes exist is to reduce the number of cars on the road by encouraging car-pooling, it seems logical that the definition of a “person” should be: a potential driver, such as anyone over the age of 15.

I often use the carpool lanes myself when driving with one or both of my children, who are too young to drive.

Is this a violation of carpool regulations?

Lisa Supanich

North Hollywood

Dear Lisa:

Any “living person”--including an infant--counts as a passenger eligible to ride in the carpool lanes along with a vehicle’s driver, according to California Highway Patrol Sgt. Ernie Garcia.

Dear Traffic Talk:

When I leave the Valley in the morning, heading north to Thousand Oaks, I notice that the new 65-mph speed limit is posted along the Ventura Freeway in Agoura Hills.

When returning to the Valley from Ventura, there are no posted speed limit signs.

It was my understanding that the speed limit on the freeway was supposed to be 65 mph, reducing to 55 at Topanga Canyon.

With no posted speed limit signs in the Valley, it seems like it would be difficult to enforce the speed limit.

What’s the deal?

Mark Kehlenbeck

Canoga Park

Dear Mark:

In April Caltrans did increase the speed limit to 65 mph from Topanga Canyon Boulevard north on the Ventura Freeway, said Pat Reid, a spokeswoman for the agency.

Caltrans maintenance crews are in the process of installing 65-mph signs in the southbound direction of the freeway, she said.

Traffic Talk appears Fridays in The Times Valley Edition. Please send questions to Traffic Talk, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth CA 91311. Include your full name, address and phone number. To record your comments, call (818) 772-3303. Fax letters to (818) 772-3385. E-mail questions to valley@latimes.com