Light Rail Plan’s Viability Debated

* In the Dec. 6 op-ed piece “Where’s Debate in the Planning of Light Rail?” writer David Mootchnik questions the need for a light rail system and speaks disparagingly of the efforts of the Orange County Transportation Authority to bring the matter to the public for debate.

Having attended OCTA board meetings and community meetings on light rail, I want to answer his question: Yes, participants were told about the cost and ridership of a projected 28-mile rail system.

We were told those facts, and we are aware of the difficulties of changing from a one-person, one-car system to mass transit.

Those who attended the meeting in Garden Grove knew that it is costly and that initially at least it would not attract a large percentage of commuters. Nevertheless, the consensus at the meeting was that we believe it is needed and want the light rail system to come through our city.

Mootchnik seems to be one of those people who are good at telling us what won’t work but who offer no alternative solution to the immense transportation problems we are facing in Orange County. Examples abound of products and systems which require large investment in development and production before users can begin to use them.

We already know what havoc the automobile is wreaking in the environment, and that we lag far behind every other developed country in mass transit. Are we to make Orange County into wall-to-wall freeway before someone figures out that those countries may be onto something? Telling us why we shouldn’t have the light rail without giving any alternative is a waste of editorial page space.

MARGE ENGLAND

Garden Grove

* I would agree that there is little debate in the planning of light rail in Orange County. For one thing, The Times has once again highlighted the opinion of one person on light rail. Here is another opinion.

Light rail, heavy rail and commuter rail can and will some day contribute to moving the masses in Orange County. The question is not if, but when.

With our freeways in near gridlock and adjacent roads not much better, roads and freeways will not, by themselves, be up to the task of moving the increases in population and workers projected for Orange County in the coming years.

Continuing to build freeways, toll roads, etc., will only add to more congestion in the future and encourage more people to drive.

What Orange County needs is a balanced approach. Clearly, this is the time to start light rail, increase bus feeder lines and build more bike paths. Someday this will take place because it has to. The OCTA plan is a step in the right direction.

Light rail can make a difference. The Long Beach Blue Line trains are a huge success. Close to 60,000 people a day ride that one line. Imagine what a true network of lines, say 20 to 30, could do to move people.

Light rail is the way to go. It is fast, efficient and environmentally friendly.

STEVE HOLCOMB

Newport Beach

* I expected that OCTA Board Chairwoman Sarah L. Catz’s Dec. 13 letter in response to David Mootchnik’s Dec. 6 column would address the issue raised by him: Namely, are the billion-plus taxpayer dollars OCTA proposes to spend for light rail worth it?

Instead, she points out that Mootchnik failed to say that the system will not be a subway, that the costs won’t be diverted from other OCTA projects, and that OCTA will not take away our freeways and streets. Goodness. How careless of him.

And Catz notes, rightly, that public opinion polls show support for light rail; but unlike Mootchnik, she fails to mention that those polled were not informed of the actual costs versus benefits of such a project.

ROD ROESCH

Huntington Beach

* David Mootchnik asked where the debate is in the planning of light rail. He hasn’t been paying attention.

Mootchnik admits that OCTA has been on an extensive public outreach campaign regarding a 28-mile urban rail system which is being considered for central Orange County. But then he alleges that these are just publicity events where people are not given the facts regarding rail costs, etc. That is not true.

He wants OCTA to bring the alternatives and issues before the public. That is exactly what is happening. He fails to mention that one alternative still under consideration is no urban rail system.

OCTA has been seeking input from Orange County residents for several years on all transportation matters, including light rail. OCTA has used its citizen advisory committees as a way of seeking recommendations regarding transportation planning and as a way of determining the best ways to get feedback from the public.

LEONARD LAHTINEN

Chairman, OCTA Citizens

Advisory Committee

Anaheim