Transit Policies Anger, Mystify

Re “OCTA Seeks Speedup of Freeway Project,” April 10:

County Supervisor Todd Spitzer said he “seldom saw work being done.” Really, I thought they were on a 12-hour lunch break. Don’t you just love the following statements: “The Caltrans construction contract lacked any requirements or cash incentives that would encourage the contractor to complete all or portions of the project ahead of schedule” and “Caltrans lacked the ability to ensure the work would be done by these dates.” What exactly, then, is the function of Caltrans? Wouldn’t we all like a low-stress, cushy job at Caltrans?

BOB HEALEY

Irvine

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I read your story with great interest. I too have driven by these so-called freeway construction sites and have seen no workers in sight for several days at a time, many times with several lanes closed and traffic backed up for miles as these projects stretch from days to months to years. If any other construction business were to operate in this manner, it would soon be bankrupt.

It would appear that Caltrans has no interest (or pride) in completing the project ahead of schedule to alleviate the gridlock and improve our commute. The job they are getting paid to do at a fair price just does not inspire them to do it right.

Now there is a plan in the works to pay them extra for doing the job they are already getting paid to do! Where is this extra money coming from? The same drivers that are stuck in the gridlocks these construction projects are causing. We are being asked to pay them through Measure M sales tax income!

N.D. LORANGER

Coto de Caza

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Re “OCTA’s New Routes May Be Leading to Fewer Riders,” March 27, and “OCTA to Study How Other Cities Made Light Rail Fly,” March 28:

OCTA has only one strategy for dealing with an unsupportive public: more PR.

After OCTA changed its bus routes and riders didn’t support the new service, OCTA chief Arthur Leahy said his agency “will roll out a public relations campaign.”

After the CenterLine light-rail project was shelved because so many didn’t support the proposed new service, Leahy said he’s going on a “public relations mission.”

No amount of public relations will carry people where they want to go on an OCTA bus, nor will PR campaigns convince people that a multibillion-dollar electric trolley through their neighborhood will improve their lives.

JOHN KLEINPETER

Irvine