The MTA Is the "Best Big Transit System in the U.S."?
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Let me get this straight:
The Metropolitan Transit Authority - the agency that can't get you across town by bus in less than two hours, the agency that for several years let a contractor get away with double-billing it on the horribly over-budget Red Line construction project, the agency that can't field a decent ticketing system for its sparse little subway system (which won't take you to the airport, the beach, the West Valley or even the West side) - is actually brilliant?
Wait a second - our system is bigger, faster and better run than MTAs in New York, Boston and Washington DC?
If the public transit system in Los Angeles were more extensive and as efficient as APTA wants us to believe, you wouldn't have to drive to work from the vast majority of L.A. County, nor sit in traffic jams tearing your hair out as your flight left LAX without you.
I'm a firm believer in public transit, and take it when I can - but most times I just can't because it won't get me where I need to go in a reasonable amount of time.
Here's some fluff from the APTA awards press release:
Despite its reputation as a car-centered area, 10 million people depend on the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) buses and trains. As of spring 2006, customer satisfaction and ridership soared to the highest level ever - while complaints were at an all time low. Metro has aggressively added new service, including additional freeway express buses and the wildly successful Metro Orange Line, where first-year ridership has already reached levels that had been projected for 2020. Even with all of its improvements, Metro has successfully kept costs well below inflation.
What do you think?
Posted by: Mack_Reed on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 11:25 AM
