L.A. Needs Subways or Elevated Trains

While I applaud the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for looking into ways to improve public transit, I seriously question the wisdom of high-speed busways and light rail in Los Angeles (“A Busway for All,” editorial, July 2). Only subways or elevated trains will help solve L.A.’s problems, since they do not interfere with existing street traffic. If the MTA invests large amounts of money into making these shortsighted changes, we will have missed another opportunity to create the lasting improvements to L.A.’s infrastructure that subways and elevated trains offer.

The busway targeted for Wilshire Boulevard should be scrapped. Instead, extend the Red Line, which is too short. This will keep the already congested street open and allow more people to use this line. The light-rail line targeted for Exposition Boulevard should be made into a subway or elevated train. The Exposition line would intersect too many streets between downtown and West L.A.

Why do the major cities of the world with mature mass transit systems use subways and elevated trains? Because they work far better than light rail and busways. While they may cost more to construct, the value and benefit far outweigh light rail and busways.

Dan Kolhoff

Santa Monica