Transit Strike and ‘Civic Inertia’

* Re the transit strike: I am infuriated by the lack of leadership in my city. It disgusts me that the working poor, elderly and disabled continue to be victims of civic inertia.

Where are the community organizations and the social services? Why can’t we mobilize and provide people with rides to work and to medical appointments? I implore those organizations committed to those in need--churches, synagogues, YMCAs, community centers, universities with vanpools, privately owned bus companies--start the engines of your vans and buses! Remind those who are trying so desperately to help themselves why we are indeed named the City of Angels.

SONIA ASTRID SOLIN

Los Angeles

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* Over the years we have all watched mass transit disruptions in other major cities in the U.S. and around the world. Now we have our own to view. It seems that our transit money would be better spent on improving our freeways, city streets and general traffic controls than on a mass transit system that can hold the entire region hostage at its whim. One form of transportation should never be allowed to have a position of such potential disruptive power as the MTA, neither managers nor employees.

Let’s stop funding this group of striking malcontents and the enormously wasteful MTA.

JOHN ADAMS

Pasadena

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* If the MTA strike is about management’s desire to resolve a $23-million shortfall, then the solution is relatively simple: Install turnstiles or a more technologically advanced method of restricting Red Line subway access to only fare-paying passengers. The MTA’s stupid little secret is that, unlike most other subway systems in the world, there is currently no such method in Los Angeles, and subway passengers are on the honor system.

I have been riding the Red Line subway for over a year and have never been asked to show my ticket. The current system is a public disgrace. How many Red Line passengers ride without paying? If the answer is one-third or more, which I believe, then the MTA’s shortfall could be solved without reneging on past promises to the union or increasing fares.

STEVEN GREENFELD

Los Angeles

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* Los Angeles without the cosmopolitan sight of public transit? One overgrown Mexican fishing village. Even Riverside seems more like Gotham.

RANDY WILLIAMS

Los Angeles

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* Not many good things have come out of the bus/transit strike, but here are a few: Air quality has improved markedly. Litter at bus stops is practically nonexistent. Collisions between Blue Line trains and vehicles have ceased. And many more bicycles are seen on streets and sidewalks. Mayor Richard Riordan could teach elementary bicycle riding and safety to keep bike accident rates from approaching those of the Blue Line.

JACK HALLIN

Monterey Park