Congressman Critiques LA's Transit System

With the opening of the Red Line Subway in North Hollywood last month and plans for High Speed Rail and rapid bus lines afoot, MIR went to Congressman Earl Blumenauer, member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to get a national perspective on California's efforts to implement multi-modal transportation systems. As Cochair of the Task Force on Livable Communities, winner of the 2,000 APA legislator of the year award and a representative of Portland--a 'smart growth' model, Blumenauer has long been recognized for forging the link between land use, transportation and environmental quality. In this interview he discusses trends for urban railways, side affects of growth boundaries, and hints for increasing transit ridership. MIR also heard his outsider view of L.A.'s transportation planning, both the strengths and shortsightedness.