Traffic alert, sales tax update and cyclists plan disruption: Ramping up, Aug. 8

Traffic closures downtown for funeral

The funeral for Deputy Juan Escalante is being held downtown today, and there will be several major road closures. The 101 will be closed at the junction with the 110 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and Hill Street in the area around the Civic Center will also be closed until 1 p.m. Bottom line, if you're headed into downtown from the north today, try mass transit.

Sales tax update

Supervisor Don Knabe reversed course Thursday and said that he would vote to the put the sales tax increase on the regular ballot, but that he remains opposed to it. Meanwhile, the companion bill in the Legislature remains stuck in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Cyclists plan disruption

The Crimanimalz, a group of activist cyclists in town, are saying they plan to have a big ride beginning at 6 p.m. Friday that will cause "extreme disruption" to Santa Monica traffic.

Here's the post from their Facebook page:

"This ride will consist of disruptive civil obedience. Obedience because we will follow the law - but we will do so in a way which causes extreme disruption. I can't disclose the details, but come and I promise you'll have a fun time, and see a spectacle. Direct action and party time will be sexxxing it up on the streets of Santa Monica."

The group alleges that the Santa Monica Police Department has been picking on cyclists during critical mass rides and writing them tickets for violations that either didn't occur or are ticky-tack. Some of the cyclists have even participated in rides on local freeways, which is illegal. The Santa Monica Police didn't return a call to me yesterday.

I also wrote a post last month when I interviewed three members of the group.

Fare lawsuit decision pending

Judge Thomas McKnew may rule today in a lawsuit challenging last year's Metro fare hikes brought by the Bus Riders Union, with the Natural Resources Defense Council arguing the case. McKnew issued a tentative ruling last Friday against the BRU.

The suit alleges that Metro should have done an environmental analysis before raising fares last year, since the fare increase has -- as predicted -- resulted in a drop in bus ridership in the past year. The big change to fares came when the day pass increased from $3 to $5, which had the effect of eliminating 25 cent transfers.

In the tentative ruling, McKnew found that Metro didn't have to do the study because California environmental law allows an exception to transit agencies if they can prove fares go to operating expenses. Metro said it was running a deficit, the NRDC said the agency had a surplus.

Of course, tentative rulings are just that. More later today if a final ruling is issued, as is expected.

Call the mechanic -- or maybe not

J.D. Power released its annual dependability rankings of vehicles on Thursday. Lexus came in first while Land Rover, Suzuki, Kia, Isuzu, Saab, Jeep and Volkswagen finished in a seven-way tie for last in the overall dependability category.

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--Steve Hymon

Comments

[Dan W.]

http://metroriderla.com/2008/08/07/bru-on-the-train-caption-contest/

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Thanks for this.

I love how that pic busts the BRU at every level.

Not only are they taking that "racist" train, they are showing that the ridership isn't all rich and white.

So they are clipboard in hand, taking the rail to Metro to lobbying against rail? LOL.

This pic should be passed out at every Metro Board of Directors meeting with the caption, "Even the BRU really wants more rail."

[Irwin]

There is a great photo (and caption contest) of BRU members riding the Red Line subway on their way to work (if you can call it that)...

http://metroriderla.com/2008/08/07/bru-on-the-train-caption-contest/#comments