L.A. Transit: Rapid Bus System Can’t Beat Rail
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has done a fine job of touting the success of its Rapid Bus program (“She Gave the Push That Got Rapid Bus Rolling,” Jan. 24).
Though any improvement in the Los Angeles transit network is welcome, the building of an exclusive-lane Rapid Bus network at the expense of high-capacity rail would perpetuate our world-class city’s Third World transit network. Funds spent on rebuilding roads for the bus lane, buying corridor-adjacent lots and erecting multimillion-dollar parking structures can be better spent on a rail line that will last a hundred years, carry many more passengers per trip and run at twice the speed of buses.
Given an effective and comprehensive network, public transportation can be a benefit to all Angelenos, just as it is in the Los Angeles-caliber cities of New York, London, Paris and Washington.
Daniel Schwartz
North Hollywood
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