We need a new plan

Well, not sure we need another study telling us about traffic problems. But Jack Weiss says his new study will also look at ways to pay for improvements:

City Councilman Jack Weiss called for a study today that would identify funding options for proposed subway, rail and bus projects aimed at reducing traffic in Los Angeles. Weiss said he wants the City Council to explore alternatives, including a possible ballot measure asking for funding from city voters. He also said current plans for traffic infrastructure are not keeping up with the region’s rapidly growing population. Weiss’ motion was referred to the council’s Transportation Committee for consideration. (CNS)

Comments

[J. Walker]

Get rid of the diamond lanes. They are a joke. Always have been.
Also, everyone, if you are going to drive slow, stay out of the faster lanes.
If you are planning to exit get over earlier and try not killing me and everyone else.

People new to Ca. who don't have any experience driving in a busy city, get some driver's training.
Or use the bus!

[Steve]

What a waste, after living in SoCal for 45 years I must of read and paid for 100s of so called studies and solutions to traffic that wasted billions. Get real, it will never improve and only get worse. I finally found the solution, just move as far as you can from the hell hole, you must take control, because the inept local Gov't will do nothing. I now live in paradise in another state with a 10 minute traffic free drive to work. This alone improves your life 10X. For all of those the are still on the fence about leaving, I recommend you take action. The quality of life is so bad in LA you only have one way to go.

[sam i am]

I don't really care what it is, rail or bus. Although for long run expenses I think rail is a better option (more people can fit on one train then one bus). Either/or, but what we really need is just something that is completely grade separated, and can make an express trip from the east to the west side within 4 to 5 stops. Build a network of something like that and I'll gladly trade in my car keys.

[Surafel]

Wasn't there an LA Times article recently saying there was an increase in property taxes assessment rolls to $1 trillion thanks to the "hot" housing market? This is probably naive, but how hard is it to direct some of this money to start the funding for the subway to the sea?

[Scott Mercer]

We need a carrot and stick approach to get people to live closer to where they work.

Telecommuting would be the best possible idea, but failing that, people should be taxed by how long their commute takes.

The state could charge per mile of commuting, and actually pay for your transit pass if you sell your car altogether.

[ch]

How about we finish the red line, that is take it to Santa Monica, before we waste anymore money on studies.

[Ken Alpern]

Whether I agree with Mr. Weiss' specific conclusions about funding, I applaud his forthright suggestion that we find a way to build the projects that are so overdue. With state and federal politicians continuing to underfund or divert funding from transportation, L.A. has to save itself.

It may not be right, it may not be fair, but at least we can throw out the money to get matching funds in the future...and elect nobody to Sacramento or Washington who won't bring back the $$$ to build these projects!