L.A.'s mass transit failure

LA: Not a friend to mass transit

Some of America's cities have wonderful bus and subway systems enabling people to travel around the area cheaply and efficiently - New York and Washington DC - being prime examples, but some hardly make any effort at all to push a convenient and practical alternative to driving. One of the biggest offenders is Los Angeles.

According to an articles in the Los Angeles Times, the average LA household spends about $8600 a year on gas, insurance, parking and vehicle maintenance, according to the California Public Interest Research Group. Compared to the fact that the average US family spends $8,000 and you have a figure that represents more than 20 percent of most people's annual expenditures.

As such, it is felt major mass transit reform is needed in LA, a city that generally can only be navigated if you have a car.

Speaking to the LA Times, Erin Steva, transportation advocate for CalPIRG said, "People are spending more for this than they do for food, clothing and healthcare."

"It's an eye-opener how burdensome transportation is for most families."

However, what is being done to address this?

Confusing costs

Prices, compared to other cities, are said to be higher in LA especially when you have to transfer to another provider, which many riders have to do when entering another part of LA's vast expanse.

According to David Lazarus, writer of the LA Times' damning assessment of the public transport system in the city, the L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority charges $1.25 per trip (but this will go up to $1.50 in July) and you have to pay an extra 30 cents to transfer to another provider.

However, "you can't get a transfer to switch from one Metro route to another, or from a bus to a subway. Switching from a Metro rapid bus line, say, to a Metro local line will require you to pay the full fare twice.

"You can buy a daily Metro pass for $5 or a weekly pass for $17, but that won't let you switch providers. Nor will you be allowed to use the Commuter Express buses that are often the quickest way to get across town during rush hour.

"An EZ Pass will allow you to switch providers and use Commuter Express lines, but they're only sold on a monthly basis for $70. You can't buy a daily or weekly EZ Pass.

Moreover, depending on the length of your commute, riding Commuter Express lines with an EZ Pass can entail an additional charge of $18 or more per month."

So what is the solution?

New York City transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan last week outlined a proposal to LA officials about how to get major transportation changes and policies implemented.

Her answer? Strong leadership, a clear plan, and the political will to counteract the public’s automatic outrage at anything new.

Hey, if President Obama can get his healthcare plan approved despite the rabid opposition, anything is possible!

Relevant articles:

Travelling to work in the US | Is San Francisco leading the 'electric revolution'? | Obama stimulus DID create jobs

Timon Singh

Timon Singh is a graduate of Liverpool University where he received a degree in Social and Economic History. He has previously worked for BBC Magazines on BBC Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, the publication for the popular genealogy show.

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