Try the Tracks, and Steer Clear of Reporters

Re “Drive or Ride to Work? It’s Slow-Going Either Way,” Jan. 6: The contest between the reporters Kurt Streeter on the not-so-Rapid Bus and Sharon Bernstein in her car demonstrates the shortcomings of the bus service in this area. Even with the sensors, the bus is still somewhat at the mercy of the traffic around it. Another good contest would be doing the same route but have Streeter get off the bus at Vermont and use the subway to finish his commute.

Yes, subways are extremely expensive to build, but we must look at the future and quality of life that a larger subway system would give us. If the politicians would think forward toward an extension of the subway through the Valley, its ridership would surely be great; try finding a parking place at North Hollywood or Universal City at 9 a.m. now. It would certainly be less disruptive to hundreds of thousands of residents and commuters than the stop-gap idea of widening the Ventura Freeway.

Charles Rozner

Northridge

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While I found your comparison of car-versus-bus commuting interesting, I was troubled by the photo and description of Bernstein “multi-tasking” in her car (i.e., making notes and using a cell phone) while driving in heavy traffic. The article made no attempt to condemn or discourage this extremely dangerous behavior, but instead glorified it as an example of operating in “full-throttle commuter mode.”

The ever-increasing number of accidents and near misses caused by people doing things other than driving while behind the wheel demands correction, not acceptance. Now, you may ask, do I talk on my cellphone and make notes during my 20-mile commute to downtown L.A.? Of course I do. But then, I ride to work on a Metrolink train.

J. Sandy Warren

Glendora

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I live in Venice, and have tried every mode of ground travel (except walking) to get to downtown from here. I used my automobile for a while to get to my job in downtown L.A. In 1975, Santa Monica’s No. 10 Blue Bus started freeway trips to downtown when the ill-fated diamond lane was initiated by then-Gov. Jerry Brown. Use of that lane required two or more riders (store dummies not acceptable). Although the dedicated lane worked well, the angry drivers who had no passengers put pressure on the state to get rid of the diamond lane.

I continued to take the No. 10 for years. However, during peak commuting hours the bus usually got stuck in freeway traffic. But at least I could read the morning paper during the trip. A year ago, I tried taking the so-called Rapid Bus along Wilshire from Santa Monica to downtown during the peak commuting hours. It was a long and exhausting trip that left my bones aching. The trip took much longer than the No. 10 bus does, and the 10 has at least some cushioning on its seats.

I still dream of a light-rail connection from Santa Monica (or Venice) to downtown and am waiting impatiently for the MTA to get funding for light rail and for Caltrans to recognize the need for sane alternatives.

Peter Force

Venice