Rare traffic leadership?

The Daily News editorial board is impressed with presidential contender Bill Richardson's promise to push for transportation solutions for L.A. (including more money for light rail). It sees Richardson's comments as a rare example of leadership on the traffic issue:

Now, we know better than to take campaign promises at face value. Still, it's stunning to see an out-of-state leader do what no one in L.A. or California ever does: address the problem intelligently, and offer a solution proportionate to its magnitude. It seems moving up California's primary has already achieved its purpose -- getting the candidates to pay more attention to the state. Or at least one candidate. So, what do the others propose for L.A.'s traffic mess -- Hillary? Rudy? Barack? Mitt? John? The other John? We're waiting ...

Comments

[John M]

Why do people say "light rail" when they really mean - and we need - systems like the New York City subway, Washington's Metro, and the Bay Area's BART?

Light rail doesn't meet long-term needs. It's a short-term patch. Would we build "light rail" to the sea instead of the "Subway to the Sea (Purple Line)" being discussed? Hardly. It would be overwhelmed the day it opened. Pasadena's Gold Line suffers from travel on and near city streets and residences. Rail transit systems and people don't mix - except at stations. They should't cause streets to be blocked or pedestrians to be killed.

Bill Richardson, Mayor Villaraigosa, LA County Supervisors - please, stop using the phrase "light rail" or using design specifications for country streetcar systems for the most populous county in the United States.

[Chase]

It's exciting to hear that a Presidential nominee is addressing issues that have a big impact on everyday quality of life. I live in New York but L.A. traffic woes are always on my mind. It may be that I aspire to live there one day. The quicker the subway and light rail routes expand and the quicker they release a hybrid convertible, I'm moving to LA!! I'm optimistic that things are going to get much better.