Act on Mass Transit and Let Parking Yield

I just read “L.A. to Help Fund ‘Maglev’ Train Study” (March 17). When is the City Council going to stop “studying” ideas and start implementing mass transit? As much as I’m supportive of any mass transit concept -- anything to diminish the air pollution and traffic in Los Angeles -- why does it take $12 million-plus to “study” it? Why would the City Council support something that clashes with the California High Speed Rail Authority or the already-established Metro? I don’t want to rain on the council’s parade, but will someone explain why adding another system works?

I am one of the biggest environmentalists out there, and I think this concept needs to be reevaluated. I don’t need a study to tell me that we need mass transit now, reduced development now and council members who think “big picture” -- now.

Dorrit Ragosine

Los Angeles

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Re “Bus-Only Lanes Could Speed Riders, Slow Business,” March 16: Tel Aviv successfully adopted a similar plan, providing public transportation exclusive access to the right lane, which makes most sense, as buses need to pause at bus stops along the route. Public policy has to stop deferring to NIMBYs or, in this case, NIFOMSs (not in front of my store). The greater good should be what guides us. The business owners even acknowledged that they do have parking in the rear, but that their customers simply don’t want to be “inconvenienced.” Give me a break. We all live together and we all have to tolerate some “inconveniences” for the benefit of improved public transport.

David Alpern

Signal Hill

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Allowing parking on any major public street is the most expensive parking we can provide the merchants. Parking should be restricted at all times on these streets. The merchants who are complaining about losing business could more than make up for any potential loss by seeing how they can make the best of this situation. One simple approach could be by providing some type of discount or bonus to any shopper who presents a valid transit day or monthly pass at time of purchase. This would encourage transit riders to stop, shop and take the next bus to continue their travels.

Robert Leabow

Rolling Hills Estates