L.A.'s New Gold Line Betrays Public Trust

The notion that Los Angeles' newest rail line will help to create "a network of accessible urban villages dominated by a teeming downtown" is fundamentally flawed.

1 minute read

August 5, 2003, 5:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The simple, unfortunate truth is that every mile of track we lay squanders resources that could otherwise produce more mobility for more people. For a fraction of the cost of the Los Angeles rail system, the region could have fielded a vastly better bus system carrying many more passengers. Rail's perceived advantages result from separating transit vehicles from other traffic. This provides a higher level of service that makes transit a more attractive option for middle- and upper-income riders who have no intention of ever boarding an MTA bus. Unfortunately, most of this untapped transit market will never reside or work in the vicinity of a rail line."

Thanks to Transport Policy Listserv

Sunday, August 3, 2003 in The Los Angeles Times

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