Paying for that subway...

How to pay the $5-billion+ to build the subway to the sea? Here are a few ideas:

BiofromTroy examines the idea of a tax.

LAist looks at private funding:

They say everyone can agree on three things. One, a subway between downtown and the Westside is absolutely need; two, the subway system doesn't go places to make it viable for many people; three, "there is no realistic prospect of public funding from the federal, state, or local governments to pay for such a subway." So let's get out of the box, they say, and look into public-private partnerships. Like in Chicago, a private firm could hold a long-term lease to operate the subway. Up front, the contract could put up fair rules on fares increases and expectations of service and quality. Or a private firm could invest by building the subway and operating it until they recoup costs and earn a return on investment.

Comments

[Jeremy R]

"We need this for the environment. - Noga Rosenthal"

We need this for the environment, better land use, and a more prosperous economy, in addition to our sanity!

[Marcotico]

Privatization is one option, however those interested in transit need to start a public education campaign, so that people start accepting the true value of subway services. The Heathrw Express is a not a privatized railway, but it is fully funded by the Airport regulator and provider BAA, and was funded outside of the public raillway system. It is also the most expensive railway in the world. It costs 15 GBP ($30) to travel (non stop) roughly 12 miles, the same distance from . A similar service that takes 25 minutes instead of 10 with stops along the way costs 6.40 GBP ($13)

In order for a private firm to be interested in constructing the subway to the sea they would probably want to charge something on a similar order. So when you consider parking and gas $12 from Santa Monica to Downtown LA is still attractive, or the MTA will have to subsidize the service, which may encourage the private firm to slip on delivery, and service levels since they know some of their operating costs are still covered.

[Noga Rosenthal]

We need this for the environment. - Noga Rosenthal

[Scott Mercer]

A public-private partnership should be explored to get the Purple Line to the sea built. It's quite needed and will be among the most used subway lines in the United States.

I predict almost 200,000 riders per weekday once the full line is running.

[Dan W.]

I wish them all the luck in the world. They'll need it.

I will pay any reasonable increase in taxes or fees to fund the construction of our desperately needed rail system.

The environmental and economic limits of road building and sprawl have been reached, and bus-only extremists are misguided to think that bus-only lanes will be sufficient or will even last after political pressure from motorists and small businesses.

Let's complete the Purple Line to the Ocean, the Pink Line down Santa Monica Blvd., the Gold Line to Montclair and Whittier, the Green Line to Norwalk, South Bay, LAX, up the Sepulveda Pass into the valley, and expanded Metorlink service.

We also need to continually improve our bus system, but that will never be a sufficient solution to L.A. transportation needs, nor will building roads. The best days of the single-occupancy automobile motoring are now behind us and nothing that Caltrans can do will bring them back.

[manu]

Parking fees and moving violatoins should be raised a from 10 to 50 parcent to pay for the cost of the subway. It may not be enogh, but it is a start.