Hahn Helps Bernson Take the Wheel at MTA

Veteran Los Angeles City Councilman Hal Bernson was named chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Thursday after the position was passed on by Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn.

Bernson assumed the role after being nominated at the MTA’s monthly board meeting by Hahn, who was in line to take the board leadership. The chairmanship rotates through the 13-member panel annually.

Hahn said he could not afford to take over the board because he wants to devote his time and attention to fighting the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood secession votes on city ballots in November.

The appointment of Bernson, who will lose his seat next year because of term limits, is seen by some as a bonus for the Valley. Residents there have long complained about traffic.

“I want to make sure the Valley does get its fair share of MTA attention, but that plays out over the entire region,” said Bernson, who was approved 9 to 0. “The whole county has serious needs.”

Among those needs, said Bernson, is figuring out how to build the county’s rail network and improve the agency’s image.

Bernson, a 23-year council member, will be serving concurrently as chairman of the MTA, the Metrolink train service and the Southern California Assn. of Governments.

“He has an obvious fix” on transportation issues, said MTA board member and county Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. “It’s a nice way for him to finish up his career.”

Yaroslavsky is due to take the chairmanship next year.