Metropolitan FEBRUARY 1994 Transportation Authority

METRO SM TRO MOVES

, E e 4

' 4 L.A.'s Transportation System Meets the U timate Challenge

s the aftershocks subside and Gibson should know. The 20-year employ- embarks on its long ee drove a Line 424 bus through the south recovery from the traumatic along the east-west Jan. 17 earthquake, one thing Ventura Boulevard on the day of the remains certain: the traveling quake. He described the scene as a frantic Apublic has a new appreciation for public mess. "Ridership was light early in the transit. Within hours of the Northridge day," said Gibson. earthquake, the MTA, along with other municipal transit agencies and the Southern California Regional Rail "A lot of people counted Authority (SCRRA), which operates on us to get their When President Clinton came to town, , rallied to reassure the Los families to shelter and MTA employees were enlisted to shuttle Angeles public that bus and rail systems the entourage from the Burbank Airport were up and running. to find food." to some of the county's most damaged areas. Above, MTA tun/ driver Steve On the day of the quake itself, MTA buses Ford not only got to meet the President, "The passengers were mostly senior citi- and Metro Blue Line trains achieved 94% but he has this photo to prove it. MTA service delivery, despite the numerous zens looking for a place to get some food. vans also carried Govern,or Wilson, and debris-strewn streets in the San Fernando They asked me if I knew where to find an Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Valley. The next day, the Metro Red Line open grocery store, a restaurant, or a Boxer. was runnirg on schedule after safety hardware store. I took them to places on inspections gave the subway tunnels a my route where I'd seen lines of people. funding resources and respond to the pub- clean bill of health. "I was very proud that day," said Gibson. lic's short- and long-term mobility needs. "I really felt that if the buses hadn't been Reassuring Sight The MTA heads up two of the task force's there, a lot of people would not have got- The sight of MTA buses and trains on the ten the emergency help they needed." county's streets, freeways and tracks let Continued on page 3 citizens know they were not stranded. Many of the county's commuters, accus- tomed to their beloved automobiles, looked Help from to public transit for the first time. They TRANS- called the MTA telephone information lines to learn how to use the system, High Places resulting in a 40% increase in the number PORTATION alifornia Gov. Pete Wilson and of calls. President Bill Clinton both HOTLINE Emergency Transportation toured the areas that sustained For information about public Service major earthquake damage, and transportation or rideshar- have vowed their help in getting Almost as soon as the earth stopped shak- ing options, call the 24-hour ing, the MTA began laying plans for both Crelief to Southern California. line (800) COMMUTE. immediate and long-term emergency Governor's Emergency Relief transportation service. Requests began Task Force pouring in to the bus dispatch center for emergency transportation of people who Having met the county's most urgent I N S D E were displaced from damaged homes and needs, MTA staff began setting up a public hospitals. It wasn't long before the MTA transportation network to handle the Clinton's Budget for Transit Page 7 stall had handled 156 requests for buses; increased transit demands during the time Metro Red Line Anniversary Page 3 of this number, 110 MTA buses were pro- it takes to repair our damaged freeways. vided, and arrangements were made for California's Governor Pete Wilson, in coop- Metrolink Update Page 2 other area transit providers to handle the eration with U.S. Secretary of remaining 46. Transportation Federico Pefia, established Rideshare or Telecommute Page 4 "A lot of people counted on us to get their a transportation relief task force made up Passes for Quake Victims Page 6 of municipal, county, state and federal families to shelter and to find food," said New LAX Bus Service Page 4 MTA bus Operator Willie Gibson. transportation officials to identify Prob- lems, secure federal and state emergency Metrolink Shines

Antelope Valley Ridership Triples Overnight Thanks to Metrolink, thousands of com- muters in the areas most critically affect- ed by the earthquake were able to get to work by train instead of driving alone in their cars on the overly clogged freeways . The collapse of the State Route 14 freeway at the 1-5 Interchange caused Metrolink ridership from the to Los Angeles to triple overnight. In fact, Metrolink trains offered one of the few accessible connections between the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles. To han- dle the load, Metrolink increased its num- ber of passenger cars from six to 36, while increasing the number of daily trains from 61 to 68.

In less than a month after the quake, the credits for helping are Caltrans, , schedule, the new track should be in ser- SCRRA opened seven new stations and Southern Pacific and Santa Fe Railroads, vice by May 1. extended its commuter reach 54 miles the MTA and many local cities and coun- from Santa Clarita to Lancaster and ties, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the What's Ahead Palmdale on the northeast and 10 miles unexpected contribution of a number of Recently commuters riding the Santa from Moorpark to Camarillo to the west. Navy Seabees from Port Hueneme who Clarita/Antelope Valley Line have experi- showed up for added manpower. enced delays. Metrolink crews continue to What it Took to Make it Southern California Edison contributed by work 24 hours a day to upgrade the rail- Happen installing the necessary traffic signals road track from freight service to accom- within days, and numerous others, includ- modate the faster commuter trains. A ing contractors, suppliers and support peo- steady improvement can be expected over ple pitched in. Train cars were quickly the next few weeks, and by early March, leased from Caltrain in the Bay Area and the trains will be faster, and there will be GO TRANSIT in Toronto. a better timetable. Simultaneously with the work on the Additionally, it's estimated that by early Santa Clarita/Antelope Valley Line, work summer, commuters will be able to cut 40 was sped up on the 58-mile Ventura minutes from their travel from Lancaster County Line, extending the system 11 to Los Angeles. To do this, Metrolink miles from Moorpark to Camarillo and crews are: adding two emergency stations in ▪ Building new track dedicated only to Camarillo and Northridge. Metrolink trains between Lancaster Meanwhile, work continues on Metrolink's and Palmdale, increasing travel speed own Antelope Valley tracks, which will from 50 mph to 79 mph. run parallel to the Southern Pacific tracks. Replacing older track and straightening Lancaster Station where crews worked With the current escalated construction around the doch to get track ready for curves, increasing the speed in Metrolink trains. from 30 mph to 45 mph. • Rehabilitating the tunnel between Santa Clarita and Sylmar/San The SCRRA didn't have to do it alone. The Fernando, increasing the speed to 40 agency's partnership with public and pri- mph from 20 mph. vate groups literally produced miracles. ▪ Improving the communication system The challenge was to quickly and safely between Lancaster and Santa provide alternative service Clarita, allowing better control of train — especially in the Antelope Valley where movements in the area. service was not scheduled to start up for Repairing railroad track and grade several months. In cooperation with crossings between Burbank and Los Southern Pacific Railroad, existing freight Angeles. train tracks were put into emergency ser- vice. Metrolink currently operates four routes covering 350 miles and 54 train stations. Metrolink's engineering and construction Pre-earthquake, ridership averaged 9,500; teams worked 24 hours a day for 12 days post-earthquake, ridership jumped to to get the track ready and build the sta- 31,276 at its peak, and currently main- tions in Lancaster, Palmdale and Sylmar. tains a daily average of 18,000. The Among the numerous groups the SCRRA Navy Seabees working on tracks. is scheduled to open Positive Press for Metro Rail

Metro Red Line Celebrates No Structural Damage From First Anniversary Quake Transportation officials celebrated the The Metro Red Line's subway tunnels, both first anniversary of the Metro Red Line an the operating section and those under con- Jan. 30, praising the system for becoming struction, suffered no structural damage a pivotal transportation link for thousands from the Northridge earthquake or the U.S Transportation Secretary Federico of daily commuters. aftershocks. Peria tours the new Metrolink station in Lancaster with Richard Stanger, Red Line Ridership Up Metrolink's executive director, and John Since Red Line service began, the system Rinard, Metrolink's director of engineer- has carried about 4.87 million riders and ing and construction. trains have logged some 712,000 miles. MTA operations reports that Metro Red "Help.." continued from page 1 Line passenger loads have increased late- ly by 40% due to the increased Metrolink four subcommittees: Art Leahy, the MTA's patronage from the San Fernando Valley. executive officer for operations, chairs the The Red Line is currently carrying an Transit Subcommittee, and Linda average of 21,000 passengers a day, up Bohlinger, the MTA's deputy executive offi- from an average of 15,000. cer of capital planning, chairs the Finance Subcommittee, which oversees the funding "Recent events have proven beyond a for L.A.'s emergency transportation needs. shadow of a doubt that the development Federal Transit Administrator Gordon and operation of a regional public trans- Linton (left) tours a section of Red Line Federal Funding Eases Recovery portation system is crucial if we are to rid tunnel near MacArthur Park with MTA With earthquake damage to the county's our streets and highways of gridlock traf- CEO Franklin White. transportation infrastructure estimated at fic," said Franklin White, the MTA's chief nearly $2 billion, the MTA moved quickly executive officer. "Recognizing that a panel of tunneling to obtain federal emergency relief funds. experts continues to conduct an investiga- Bohlinger's finance subcommittee (under tion into the integrity of the Red Line tun- the Governor's task force) is coordinating HAPPY FIRST AHNIVERSARY METRO RED LINE nels, it is apparent that, despite the federal and state transportation emergency -MOVIE PEOPLE TO CONNECT magnitude of this week's tragic earth- , Me,ropoiltan funding applications to the Federal M TranspQrratlon quake, the work underway and finished Aothority Highway Administration (FHWA) and the tunnels have withstood a major test of Federal Emergency Management Agency mother nature," said Gordon Linton, (FEMA)/Office of Emergency Services Federal Transit Administrator. Linton and (OES). The Federal Transit other officials toured a segment of the tun- Administration (FTA) is assisting the nel beneath MacArthur Park three days FEMA/OES damage survey report team in after the big quake. determining transit project eligibility. A total of $515 million in FEMA emergency "Structural and safety engineers completed relief funds has been earmarked by an end-to-end walk-through inspection Congress, of which $315 million is desig- immediately after the earthquake, and nated for mass transit use, and $200 mil- they found virtually no damage to the tun- lion is slated for local streets and roads nels or the subway system," said Ed repair. MTA CEO Franklin White addresses McSpedon, the MTA's executive officer for The Federal Highway Administration the press conference at the Metro Red construction and president of the Rail (FHWA) has provided $1.391 billion from Line anniversary celebration. Construction Corporation (RCC). "Also, its emergency relief funds, which is specifi- the Vermont corridor tunnel construction cally designated for the repair and rebuild- "Since the Red Line opened one year ago, project sustained no damage despite the ing of damaged freeways, to provide underground L.A. has become the safety fact that the permanent concrete liner is interim detours, as well as fund (along with place in ," White not even in place yet." FEMA) the increased Metrolink service. said. "There is no pick-pocketing and graf- Finally, McSpedon reported that once safe fiti is non-existent." FEMA was the first to respond. On Jan. conditions were determined, nearly 80 feet 28, a $10-million cash advance was deliv- The Metro Red Line nom/ runs 3.2 miles of the Segment 2 tunnel was drilled an the ered to the MTA; an additional $6-million from Union Station to MacArthur Park, day of the earthquake. FEMA cash advance was received the fol- connecting with Metrolink and the Metro lowing week. The money was immediately Blue Line from Long Beach. The second Other Lines Fare Well applied to defray the cost of extra segment will extend the line west to Metrolink and MTA bus service initiated to RCC also led a surface inspection of other serve commuters in the Antelope Valley, Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue Metro Rail projects in the Los Angeles area Santa Clarita, San Fernando Valley and (scheduled to open in 1996) and north to — including the Metro Blue Line, which is West Los Angeles. Hollywood Boulevard and Vine (by 1998). operating between Long Beach and down- The third segment includes extensions to "Federal officials are working hard to help town, and the Metro Green Line under con- Pico Boulevard and San Vicente, to North Los Angeles through this crisis," said struction between El Segundo and Franklin White, the MTA's chief executive Hollywood and to East Los Angeles. Once Norwalk. There was no street-level dam- officer. "Our job is to put this money to all three segments are built, the subway age that could affect public safety or work for the people who need it. " will span about 23 miles. impede traffic. 4

3 Getting to Work in the '90s: Consider Ridesharing or Telecommuting

he MTA joins with Caltrans and Call CTS at (800) 286-RIDE. Commuter Transportation n Employers also can allow employees to Services (CTS) in encouraging work at home, or at an off-site telecom- county residents to rideshare or muting center, one day a week. Pacific telecommute. Just as it did Bell also offers a telecommuting infor- whenT the summer Olympics came to town mation hotline that features informa- in 1984, a special circumstance has forced tion and technical assistance. The county residents to rethink their commut- number is (800) 303-0309. ing habits and restructure their work rou- tines. Employers may also wish to consider "tele- work centers," offices located a short bus To find out about any new public trans- ride or drive from residential housing portation service available as a result of developments where employees of many the earthquake, or for information about different companies work one or more any other facet of mass transit or days a week to avoid lengthy commutes. ridesharing, call (800) COMMUTE. There are several telework centers in the Key Words: Flexibility and Southern California area: Choice n The subsidy can also be used for month- • Antelope Valley Telebusiness Center In addition to using public transportation, ly Metrolink passes, which are avail- (805) 726-7700 able to reduce per-fare rides. For there are other options. • Simi Valley Telework Center information, call (800) 371-LINK. n Employers can stagger work hours to (805) 526-3900 n MTA offers monthly passes as well that reduce peak-hour commute times. • Ontario Telebusiness Center can greatly reduce per-trip expense. n Work weeks also can be compressed (909) 391-2510 Call MTA Customer Relations at (213) into four days. For example, an 972-6235 to find the nearest pass sales • Telecommuting Work Center of employee may work 40 hours in four outlet. Riverside work days, or 80 hours in nine (909) 466-8419 work days, taking the extra day off and n CTS can help place you in a carpool, easing traffic congestion. vanpool or buspool. A carpool consists of • Highland Telework Center (909) 425-8060 n anywhere from two to six people; a van Bus and rail transit subsidies up to $60 Pool is between seven and 12 people, a month for each employee are avail- • Apple Valley Telework Center and a buspool is 20 or more people. Call (619) 946-9675 able tax free. MTA's Corporate Transit (800) 286-RIDE. Partnership (213-972-4680), can pro- Two more telework centers are being vide personally tailored bus/rail itiner- n CTS offers free assistance to employers planned for Santa Clarita and Long aries and other assistance. who are interested in telecommuting. Beach.

The Bus Connection

he county's bus system has kept Foothill Transit have also increased their service was in place, with 22 added buses pace with Metrolink's growth, routes and connections. for five existing Westside lines and one in adding bus lines where necessary The quake also collapsed a portion of the the San Fernando Valley. The extra buses, to accommodate long-distance Santa Monica Freeway (I-10), long known along with detour routes and HOV lanes commuters. Less than a week as the heaviest traveled freeway in the provided by Caltrans, made traveling Tafter the quake, Metrolink passengers dis- between the Westside and downtown Los world, making urgent measures neces- embarking in Sylmar, Burbank and sary. Within three days, a new MTA bus Angeles much easier than originally pre- Glendale were being served by a total of dicted after the quake. four new, and 14 rerouted, bus lines. LAX to Downtown The MTA is prepared to add as many as 60 On Feb. 14, the MTA and Foothill Transit more buses in the San Fernando Valley to began offering an express bus service dur- augment existing routes and to serve the "In short, within 10 ing peak travel times between the City increased Metrolink ridership between the days after the earth- Bus Center at Los Angeles International Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys and quake, the MTA created, Airport, the Aviation Green Line Station the Los Angeles Basin. in El Segundo, and downtown Los "In short, within 10 days after the earth- augmented or rerouted a Angeles. quake, the MTA created, augmented or total of 27 bus lines to The new line, known as Line 646, is the rerouted a total of 27 bus lines to assist assist earthquake- 28th bus line the MTA has either created, earthquake-affected commuters," said the added to or rerouted to help keep people MTA's Executive Officer of Operations, Art affected commuters." moving following the Northridge earth- Leahy. Municipal bus lines, including Los quake. © Angeles Department of Transportation, Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines, and Highw Help Metro Call Boxes Briefly S peaking Relocated An Assortment of N ws and Information Santa Clarita motorists who are using "The Old Road" as an alternate route to Saved on the /WTA 111 First Pasadena Line reach the Golden State Freeway (I- 5) can now appreciate the familiar sight of Metro Professional Service Contract Awarded call boxes. In less than two weeks after Contracts The MTA awarded Kiewit Pacific Co. a the earthquake, freeway call boxes were When Fiscal Year 1994 ends on June 30, $12.7 million contract for the demolition of relocated to "The Old Road" between a bridge crossing the L.A. River and con- the MTA is expected to have cut in half Calgrove Boulevard and 1-5. the number of contracts awarded for out- struction of a new one for the planned side professional services as recently as Pasadena light rail line. Dismantling the Metro Freeway Service old bridge will begin in early March and two years ago. Patrol Beefed Up construction will continue once the old A report to the MTA's Finance, Budget structure is completely removed. and Efficiency Committee Feb. 9 revealed that the MTA's two predecessor agencies, "Demolition will be very delicate work," the Los Angeles County Transportation said Laurence Weldon, RCC's vice presi- dent/project manager for the Pasadena Commission (LACTC) and the Southern Blue Line project. "We will remove the California Rapid Transit District (RTD), foundation and the structure very careful- awarded a combined 675 non-rail related ly to avoid any damage to the river chan- professional service contracts totaling $145.5 million in FY 1992. nel liner." In FY 1993, the number dipped to 560 The structure will be built as a segmental contracts totaling $58.3 million in value. bridge — a specialized method of bridge So far in FY 1994, the number of contracts construction that avoids intrusion into the awarded is 113. On an annual basis, the river channel underneath while building MTA may award 340 contracts with a pos- the new bridge. sible value of 545.2 million expected by Kiewit Pacific Co. who built the segmental Metro tow trucks line up for a daily the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 1994 bridges for the Green Line, was honored patrol. — a 49% reduction from FY 1992 levels. with engineering awards from Caltrans "From the beginning of my tenure with and the American Consulting Engineering Another remedy for freeway motorists MTA, I have asked all departments to look Council for the Green Line segmental experiencing bumper-to-bumper traffic, is carefully at their costs to see where cuts bridges. the expansion of the Metro Freeway could be made, especially in view of the Kiewit Pacific Co. was the lowest-priced Service Patrol (FSP) to cover freeway $126 million operating shortfall we face in responsive and responsible bidder and alternate rautes on surface streets. FY 1995," said Franklin White, the MTA's exceeded the Minority Business FSP, originally implemented jointly by the CEO. Enterprise and Women Business MTA, Caltrans and the California "Our staff of transportation professionals Enterprise participation with a bid com- Highway Patrol in 1991, provides a special is one of the finest in the nation. I believe mitment of 32.2% for MBE and 6.3% for team of about 150 tow-truck drivers to that many of the tasks that were formerly WBE. assist stranded motorists during rush contracted out can be done just as well or The Pasadena Line is a 13.6-mile light rail hours on the county's most congested free- better in-house — often with substantial system connecting Union Station in down- ways. FSP keeps traffic moving by quickly savings," added White. town Los Angeles to Sierra Madre Villa towing stalled cars out of the mainstream Avenue in East Pasadena. As currently and furnishing them with emergency road The most significant cutbacks occurred in planned, the line will serve the communi- service free of charge. professional services, planning and con- struction contracts. By way of compari- ties of downtown Los Angeles, Mount Eight conventional tow trucks and two son, the FY 1992 amount spent on Washington, Highland Park, South big-rig trucks were added to FSP's roving contracts in these categories was almost Pasadena and Pasadena. fleet after the earthquake, and service $133 million, while by the end of FY 1994, hours were expanded for nine other MTA will have spent approximately $21.5 trucks. The enhanced service, which million in the same categories. III 85 Miles of HOV Lanes began the day after the big temblor, is operating on the Golden State Freeway (I- Contract amounts showed an increase in Approved 5), the Santa Monica Freeway (1-10), the design contracts and some other miscella- At meeting on Feb. 2, the MTA formally Antelope Valley Freeway (State Route 14), neous categories. Costs for design con- allocated $315 9 million in capital funds the Ventura and Hollywood freeways (U.S. tracts rose over the same period, and are for the continued construction of 85 miles 101), and the Simi Valley Freeway (State expected to go higher in FY 1994, mostly of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on Route 118). In less than three weeks, the due to freeway- based high occupancy nine Southern California freeways over new service provided more than 1,500 vehicle (HOV) lane design. the next three fiscal years. The action is assists. Other special contract categories expected particularly important in light of the Jan. The big-rig tow trucks are cruising the 1-5 to increase include the Freeway Service 17 earthquake that damaged a number of to help alleviate delays on this major inter- Patrol (about $20 million); computer ser- the county's key arteries. county truck route. The proportion of vices, to cover the purchase of computer Caltrans now has the green light to award land-blocking incidents on this freeway is equipment needs related to MTA's new multi-year construction contracts for HOV much higher, since there are no shoulders. financial information system ($4 million), construction. The 85 new miles of HOV During the first 12-day period, 30 big and building maintenance contracts for lanes received its first allocation of $15 trucks were cleared from freeway lanes, work on Green Line facilities (about .5 million last year. and more than 130 other assists were million). made with the special big-rig service. CD Continued on page 6

5 Briefly Speaking...continued An Assortment of News and Information

striped spaces. The new parking area is located south of Wardlow Road on Pacific Avenue next to the Blue Line tracks

Smile -- You're Busted Downtown L.A. drivers trying to beat the Blue Line will now have to pay for it. As part of a continuing safety program to reduce the num- ber of accidents along the Metro Blue Line and save lives, the MTA has installed a cam- era at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Los Angeles Street to pho- tograph drivers illegally crossing the Blue Line tracks. The system began electronically on Feb. 16, and will operate during regular Blue Line hours from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. It is the HOV makes a differente! final phase of a demonstration project con- ducted by the MTA, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the Los Continued from page 5 In an earlier action, the MTA board also voted to provide Metrolink passengers Angeles Municipal Court and the Los traveling from Santa Clarita and Angeles Department of Transportation. As the county's principal funding trans- Moorpark a "2-for-1" monthly pass for The camera takes two pictures, one when a portation agency, the MTA must first February and March. The action provided car starts to cross the tracks and another commit the necessary funds to Caltrans riders in areas most affected by the earth- after the violation. Imprinted on each pho- for highway projects before construction quake the opportunity to buy a two-month tograph is the exact date, time, location contracts can be awarded. The funds Metrolink pass for the price of one month. and speed of the violating vehicle. The come from a combination of local, state photo also records the length of time the and federal sources, including 25% from Monthly passes have been distributed to signal was red before the driver proceeded Proposition C half-cent sales tax funds. emergency shelters operated by the Red Cross and the Salvation Army in the San into the intersection and triggered the Caltrans must report to the MTA Board Fernando Valley and Hollywood areas. camera. quarterly about HOV progress, and must For information on the availability of "Motorists making left turns against a red obtain annual recertifications and fund- monthly passes for those living in emer- will be cited," said Captain Frank ing approvals from the MTA for each pro- gency shelters, contact MTA's Customer Vadurro, commander of the Sheriff's ject. Relations Department at (213) 972-6235. Transit Services Bureau. "Citations are issued when the photos show clearly the III Free Ticket to Ride license plate and the driver of the vehicle." On Feb. 3 the Forty Percent More Drivers will receive a $104 citation in the MTA began Blue Line Parking providing "Photo enforcement has been used as a The MTA has added a total of 238 parking free monthly demonstration project at the Compton spaces at three Metro Blue Line stations bus passes Boulevard and Alondra Street Blue Line in the Long Beach area. Together, the Del to qualified intersections, with excellent results," said Arno, Willow and Wardlow stations will county resi- Franklin White, chief executive officer of accommodate 840 vehicles. dents who the MTA. "Once drivers were aware of the were forced A total of 148 parking spaces has been cameras, the number of violations dropped from their homes by the Northridge added at the Willow Station, increasing from one per hour to one every 12 hours earthquake. The action was approved by parking at this location by 58%. Most are during an 8-month study." the MTA board on Feb. 2. just north of existing parking, but 38 The MTA plans to install cameras perma- spaces have been added along West "About 70% of those living in tem- nently at selected Blue Line intersections, American Avenue. At the Del Arno porary or emergency shelters due to the once the demonstration project is complet- Station, 50 new parking spots were added earthquake already qualify for some kind ed. Since the Blue Line began operations on the north side of the lot, bringing the of federal help," said the MTA's CEO in 1990, there have been 211 collisions total to 364. Franklin White. "Many of these people resulting in 22 fatalities and numerous were transit-dependent before the earth- Parking at Wardlow Station more than injuries (as of Dec. 31, 1993). cz) quake; hopefully, this will help them get doubled to a total of 73 when 40 parking back on their feet." spots were added to the 33 existing

6 Exit Notes

Clinton Budget: ernments will help make up for the oper- ating loss. The proposed budget must How it Could Affect complete a series of further steps before it Transit can become final, including approvals U S. Department of from both Congress and Senate. Transportation Secretary (The above information was excerpted Frederico Pena released the from Passenger Transport, The transportation portion of Weekly Newspaper of the Transit Industry, Published by American Public President Clinton's proposed Transit Association, Washington, D.C., 1995 budget on Feb. 7. The good news is Feb. 14, 1994.) that it provides for a 4% funding increase; i.e., overall, transit is proposed to receive $4.76 billion for fiscal year 1995, an increase of $179 million over this year's Will L.A. Take to Mass budget. The bad news is that transporta- Transit? tion agencies face drastic cuts in federal In the last few weeks, mass transit has operating aid and in funding for new rail provided a lifeline for auto-dependent starts. commuters who were cut off from their The President's budget recommendations work places by earthquake-damaged free- would cut operating expense to all urban ways. However, ridership began dropping areas by $202 million, from $802 million after the first flush of panic ended. this fiscal year to $600 million, a 25% It's happened before. BART retained reduction. The budget also calls for a 40% about 20% of its new riders after the 1989 cut under the Major Capital Investment Loma Prieta earthquake. Transit rider- Program, from $668 million to $400 mil- ship doubled in Miami after Hurricane lion. Andrew's devastation. And, in the Mid- "I understand there have been concerns west, transit buses were literally life- raised about [operating cuts]," said Pena. savers during the Mississippi Hoods. "The point I want to make is that for A Los Angeles Times editorial on Feb. 6 every transit agency in America, each of reported that "Not even the worst earth- them will receive more funding because of quake in modern Los Angeles history was A crowd in the station beats one on the the transit capital budget. This is an enough to break up the romance of soli- road. Metro Red Line passengers head- Administration that is committed to tran- tary Southern California drivers and their ing for a ride on opening day. sit in America...we think the strategic automobiles." way of doing it is by focusing our dollars According to the editorial, 86% of the on the capital side." nate," said the Times, "because success in respondents in the Santa Clarita and San coping with the Northridge quake Federal Transit Administrator Gordon Fernando valleys to a Times poll said they depends on the use of more efficient trans- Linton, commenting on the proposed bud- do not plan to switch to mass transit or portation options." get, said he's confident local and state gov- organize car or van pools. "This is unfortu-

Comments from the Big Apple A New York Times editorial on Jan. 24. clearly championed L.A.'s mass transit cause. "Now, as Los Angeles recoups," it said, "local, state and federal authorities must resist rebuilding everything as it was before, only stronger. Rather, they must seize every chance they get to advance mass transit instead of pouring more concrete." The editorial concludes with a dose of reality. "Los Angeles did not have its last earthquake on Monday, only its latest. Improved mass transit would help it tope with the next one." Who knows what L.A. commuters will do in the Jong run. Meanwhile, recent events just may leave a lasting impres- sion.

The way it should be at Metrolink's park-and-ride lot.

7 TRO VES MTA BOARD MEMBERS RICHARD ALATORRE JOHN FASANA Chair/Councilmember Councilmember A monthly publication City of Los Angeles City of Duarte produced by the MTA. NATE HOLDEN, Alt. PHYLLIS PAPEN, Alt. MICHAEL D. ANTONOVICH GLORIA MOLINA Managing Editor Supervisor Supervisor Wendy Taylor Los Angeles County Los Angeles County NICK PATSAOURAS, Alt. ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA, Alt. Art Director Anne Roubideaux EVAN ANDERSON BRALTDE RICHARD RIORDAN Councilmember Mayor Graphic Design/Illustration City of Long Beach City of Los Angeles Joe Simpson, Jr. RAUL PEREZ, Alt. ZEV YAROSLAVSKY, Alt. Theresa Renn YVONNE BRATHWAITE BURKE STAN SANDERS Photographers Supervisor RUTH GALANTER, Alt. Los Angeles County Kelly Harriger THOMAS S. SAYLES MAS FUKAI, Alt. Ex-Officio Member George Gray California Secretary of Business Jean Ferro JIM CRAGIN Councilmember Transportation and Housing Deputy Director, Media Relations City of Gardena JERRY B. BAXTER, Alt. Jim Smart HAL CROYTS, Alt. JAMES W. VAN LOBEN SELS, Alt. DEANE DANA MEL WILSON Supervisor HAL BERNSON, Alt. Los Angeles County LARRY ZARIAN Vice-Chair/Mayor ROBERT J. ARTHUR, Alt. City of Glendale EDIVIUND D. EDELMAN JAN HEIDT, Alt. es, Vice-Chair/Supervisor Los Angeles County ei* MARVIN L. HOLEN, Alt. FRANKLIN E. WHITE MTA Chief Executive Officer Metro Moves is printed entirely on recycled paper.

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