Candidates Differ Over Valley Transit Authority

Clashing over local control of transportation, candidates for the 7th City Council District have differed sharply over a proposed Valley transit authority, which Corinne Sanchez favors and Alex Padilla does not.

In interviews, the candidates, who have shown little contrast on many issues, disagreed over what many see as a key issue in the San Fernando Valley movement toward political self-determination.

Competing in the June 8 runoff election in a district with a large population of transit-dependent residents, Sanchez and Padilla agree that a light-rail system should be considered for the northeast Valley and bus service should be expanded.

But while Sanchez supports an autonomous Valley district that would divert revenues from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Padilla said he currently cannot support such a move because of fear it would prevent regional cooperation.

Padilla said he might support a Valley transit zone that would allow input on bus services, but not if it has a negative impact on union bus drivers and mechanics.

The Valley Industry and Commerce Assn. has proposed transferring the Valley’s share of transit tax money as well as decision-making power over mass transit projects from the MTA to a new Valley agency.

Valley VOTE, the group pushing secession, has said the failure to create a local transit agency is one of the grievances fueling the drive for Valley cityhood.

State Sen. Tom Hayden has written a bill that would provide for a variation on the authority proposal, allowing the Valley group to set project priorities and requiring the MTA to approve them unless it finds that they are not good for area transportation. That bill is bogged down in committee and may not be taken up until next year, said Robert Scott, a VICA board member.

Scott said VICA is still holding out hope for total autonomy.

Sanchez said Thursday she supports the Valley transit authority proposal by VICA, charging that the MTA is “so large and so removed that it is not accountable” to Valley residents.

“I would support the Valley having control over transportation,” Sanchez said. “It would bring decision making closer to the residents and provide more accountability.”

A former city Transportation Commission member, Sanchez said the Valley has failed to receive a fair return on its sales tax revenues in the form of rail services.

Supporters of the tax 20 years ago promised a rail system that would extend from the North Hollywood subway station to Sylmar in the northeast Valley, but no money has been budgeted since then for that project.

“That’s a big concern of ours. We’re still not getting the attention and dollars we need,” Sanchez said.

Padilla said he would not support the proposal unless he was convinced it would not hurt regional transportation or unions. Padilla said a separate Valley agency would likely hinder cooperation and efforts to take a regional approach to transportation issues.

“My concern is I want to be sure we have fluid, seamless transportation service between the Valley and the rest of the region,” Padilla said. “ We need to take a regional approach to transportation.”

Padilla said he might support creation of a Valley Transit Zone that would allow a board of Valley residents to provide input to the MTA on bus service.

“It would call for local involvement, but would still operate in many ways with the MTA,” he said.

Padilla said he would under no circumstances support a local agency unless it steers clear of pay cuts and job losses for bus drivers and mechanics. Unions have charged that the transit zone proposal could be a vehicle for union-busting, and they have demanded rules to protect jobs. The zone proposal is still stuck in the rule-making committee.

Scott said such union-proposed rules might threaten the financial feasibility of the proposal.

Both Sanchez and Padilla said they support taking another look at building a light-rail system in the 7th Council District.

Padilla, who received an engineering degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said light-rail is well-used in Boston.

“I’ve seen it work. I know it can be an affordable and effective means of transportation,” Padilla said. “I’d like to push it. We need to look at it.”

He also said an additional Metrolink station should be built in the Pacoima-Sun Valley area between the existing stations in Sylmar and Burbank.

Sanchez also believes rail has a future in the northeast Valley, even though the MTA has shelved plans to build a subway from North Hollywood to Woodland Hills.

“Definitely we need to revisit the light-rail idea, some above ground, some below ground,” she said. “I think it would be well received by northeast residents.”

Sanchez and Padilla also agreed on the need for additional buses to serve the working-class district.

She said the city should look at using reverse lanes that provide more roads for commuters heading downtown in the morning and returning home at night.

More carpool lanes and fast-track toll roads also should be considered, she said.

“You have to pay, but those things are wonderful,” Sanchez said.