Plenty of directions for the MTA

Re “MTA’s Plan for Westside Transit Line Detours South,” Oct. 8

It is unbelievable to me that the MTA continues to build rail lines in areas that do not need that type of mass transit and ignores the dense residential and commercial development that has occurred along much of Wilshire Boulevard. It is time for someone to step in and make this gross waste of transit dollars stop.

It does not take a genius to realize that neither the Green nor Gold lines are effective transit alternates, and that would have been clear before the first shovel of dirt was turned. I urge Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to step in and demand that the MTA take a step back and truly study where transit will do the most good, instead of locating a line where it is easiest to build. I think if that happens, they will find the west line needs to be about three miles north of Exposition Boulevard.

JOHN THOMPSEN

Los Angeles

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The Westside could use two transit lines right now. So, the MTA should build the one it can -- the Expo Line -- just as fast as possible. It’s mostly surface construction and the right of way exists. No brainer. Then, get the Green Line to LAX. Then, extend the Expo Line to Santa Monica. The Wilshire extension is sure to come later. The MTA needs to grab the low-hanging fruit now.

KEVIN CROZIER

Sun Valley

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Why do all the rail lines need to connect to downtown? Anybody who has been on the San Diego Freeway at rush hour knows that a rail line on that freeway or paralleling that freeway from the north end of the San Fernando Valley to the South Bay (including the airport) would be an immediate hit with commuters. Such a line would do more to reduce gasoline consumption in the L.A. area than giving everybody a free Toyota Prius. Who knows, maybe it could even end global warming.

STEVE STILLMAN

Redondo Beach