MTA Appeal on Bus Service

For the second time this spring The Times has urged MTA not to appeal an order by a federal court special master (editorial, June 7), who demands MTA spend $463 million more to buy and operate hundreds of new buses on top of the 2,095 new buses MTA already is buying and the nearly $1 billion it spends each year to operate buses and subsidize municipal bus operators in Los Angeles County.

Fortunately, MTA hasn’t heeded The Times’ advice. The special master recently acknowledged his original order was too much and modified his ruling, which will save taxpayers $40 million. However, the current order is still excessive and that’s why MTA is now appealing to the federal judge who appointed the master.

Our bus riders are now getting everything they wanted out of the 1996 federal consent decree to improve service. Shortly after CEO Julian Burke was hired 21 months ago, the MTA board suspended new rail construction so MTA could focus its resources on bus improvements. The MTA is ordering 2,095 new buses with new buses arriving weekly. Bus service has been significantly expanded, and this year MTA will deploy 130 additional peak-hour buses.

The Times casts this issue as a bus-versus-rail debate. It ignores the fact that if MTA must comply with the special master’s order, it will seriously impact the many street and highway programs funded by MTA that ensure mobility for 6 million motorists in the county. There are very real economic and environmental consequences that must be considered.

ALLAN LIPSKY, MTA Chief Operating Officer, Los Angeles

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Is it because “transit-dependent” has become synonymous with bus riders that the MTA feels it can act with arrogance about defying court orders? Are bus riders perceived as victims by the MTA and the public at large? Bus riders aren’t victims! They pay their way. What they ask for is a system that serves their needs. Not a service that the MTA thinks bus riders need, but a service that bus riders know they need.

In the MTA’s mind, the subway is public transportation. The bus system is a deadbeat load. And they are wasting taxpayers’ money to fight Special Master Donald T. Bliss’ order for more buses. Wake up, taxpayers!

DAMIANA CHAVEZ, Los Angeles