Federal officials are looking at an unlikely city as a model for urban public transit: Los Angeles.
Federal transportation officials are putting their support behind Los Angeles' transit planning, arguing that it could offer a model for other cities looking for speedy economic recovery and congestion reduction. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has been pushing for 12 new train lines to be completed in 10 years, instead of the 30. transportation officials had settled on.
"The Obama administration and influential members of Congress are exploring ways to aid the car-clogged city with a federal loan, economic stimulus funds or other assistance so it can build 12 transit lines in 10 years instead of 30.
'Everyone who has ever driven in L.A. knows that more and better transit in that region is a must, and the sooner it's in place, the better,' said Roy Kienitz, the undersecretary for policy in the U.S. Department of Transportation."
FULL STORY: U.S. officials eager to climb aboard Villaraigosa's L.A. transit plan
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