The way to relieve traffic congestion

Re “A plan to speed up Westside commute,” Nov. 26

It surprises me that no one has enlisted the businesses involved to help devise solutions to Westside traffic. These firms are full of bright, creative people; surely they could come up with ideas to cope with the congestion created by their commuting labor force. Obvious possibilities are offering flexible work hours, allowing telecommuting and encouraging carpooling. Many other good thoughts might come up if business leaders were asked.

I understand that government can’t dictate to business, but nothing prevents them from having a conversation. The legendary success of the 1984 Olympics hinged on Peter Ueberroth’s efforts to enlist the cooperation of local businesses. We need to craft solutions that aren’t focused on finding ways to move more cars more quickly past quiet residential neighborhoods.

Ellen Smucker

Los Angeles

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Why does The Times allow local politicians to perpetuate the false notion that a subway or light-rail line will help ease Westside traffic? There are no data to support the thesis that more rail lines mean less traffic. If rail did decrease traffic, then the cities with the most rail lines would have the best traffic -- which, of course, is not the case. The real reason local politicians are for these proposed rail projects is that they spur development along the rail corridors. Unfortunately for the residents of the Westside, that means more office towers as a result of these rail projects.

It’s up to the media to make sure that the citizens of Santa Monica and the Westside are given the facts about the consequences of these proposed rail lines. Please stop blindly printing the unsubstantiated claims of our local politicians.

Grace Benn

Los Angeles

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L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and City Councilman Jack Weiss are wrong. The solution to traffic on the Westside is not making one-way streets or changing the timing of the traffic lights. It is limiting inappropriately dense residential and commercial development.

A much better solution is a subway linking downtown Los Angeles with Museum Row, the Beverly Hills triangle, Century City, Westwood, the development at Olympic and 26th Street in Santa Monica and terminating at the Third Street Promenade and the ocean.

Daniel Fink

Los Angeles