Light Rail to Pasadena

Re “Building the Pasadena Light-Rail Line,” Jan. 4: Since the politicians, lobbyists, contractors, engineering firms and all the other special-interest groups insist on ramrodding an isolated light-rail trolley line to Pasadena down the throats of us taxpayers, it finally occurred to me what the true purpose of a mass transit project is all about. It isn’t about constructing an efficient, well-planned transportation system that will be embraced by the traveling public. No, here in L.A., the true purpose of a mass transit project is to act as a taxpayer-supported cash cow that keeps the money flowing into the pockets of a small group of vested interest groups.

If we were truly serious about building an intelligent, usable system that would provide maximum benefit to the public, a rocket scientist/transit consultant would suddenly have a lightbulb appear above his head and realize that the Pasadena-Los Angeles corridor could be used as a “joint-use” right of way, where the tracks could accommodate both light-rail trolleys and heavy-rail Metrolink commuter trains. Metrolink trains could easily use an already existing route from San Bernardino to Pomona and then provide entirely new service to upper San Gabriel Valley communities. A commuter from, say, Glendora would be able to ride a Metrolink train all the way to L.A. via Pasadena without having to waste time transferring to a light-rail trolley. San Diego and Baltimore know how to mix heavy-rail trains and light-rail trolleys on the same tracks, and have been doing so for years.

DAVID B. ARTHUR, Grand Terrace

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It was surprising to learn that the Blue Line will not be a direct route between Pasadena and Long Beach. That you will actually have to interconnect with the Red Line subway makes no sense. You can easily transfer from the Green Line to the Blue Line and proceed to Long Beach, with a quick walk downstairs. The transfer price is minimal if you choose to purchase a ticket. With the absence of turnstiles or tokens, the rail line actually operates on the honor system, like some trams I’ve ridden in Europe. There are signs posted as to the fines for not having a ticket, yet there is very little security to enforce them. I would like to see numbers on the operating costs versus actual profits.

To get people out of their cars, mass transit has to be easy, affordable and quick. Light rail has the potential, but only if it’s done right.

BRIAN BUCHANAN, Duarte