Long Buses, Blue Line

* Re “Yaroslavsky Calls for Network of Long Buses,” March 20: Now we are supposed to be impressed by a bus system in Curitiba, as reviewed by some politicians on a boondoggle to Brazil. Until the last 10 years or so, Curitiba had no need for a comprehensive transportation system. The percentage of privately owned automobiles was low, so any approach to transportation would look good. I would like to know how the Curitiba situation compares to Los Angeles?

A better comparison could be made with Sao Paulo, which has a long, cosmopolitan history. Sao Paulo has a surface system that is integrated with a subway system. It would be impossible to get around a city of that size in a timely manner without such a system. Zev Yaroslavsky’s contention that a high-capacity bus system could be built at a fraction of the time and cost of a rail system may be true, but will it solve the problem?

I was pleased to read about Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa breaking with the Bus Riders Union and backing the Blue Line (March 20). His rationale for the switch was so logical that he might lose his politician-doublespeak license. I hope it’s contagious.

HUGH A. BARNWELL

Hawthorne