Trains, Buses Need Better Connections

* Re “So Much Riding on Trains,” Aug. 1 editorial:

Thanks for the Metrolink support in your editorial.

I live in Irvine-Northwood and am looking forward eagerly to the opening of the Tustin station next year.

As a daily rider since November, I am familiar with all the possible glitches, but am happy to report that I have never been late to work because of a Metrolink problem.

The need I see is better coordination of connecting services. Although many commuters go directly to downtown L.A., many of us get off at other stops and have to connect to city buses and Metrorail.

Metrolink pays for our transfers, but the farther from a Metrorail station you are, the more disjointed the service becomes, sometimes adding a half-hour to 45 minutes to a commute by car. This is a powerful deterrent to using the system.

But as negative as it is, it only takes me a couple of days in the car to send me back to the train.

Also, I feel strongly that we should have some rail connection or decent rapid bus service between Orange County and South L.A. County, roughly along the route of the 405 freeway.

Thanks again for supporting public transportation.

SANDRA SMITH

Irvine