Council Members Signal Bumpy Ride for Valley Transit

A proposal to form a separate transit zone in the San Fernando Valley hit its first snag Wednesday as some council members--considering a seemingly routine motion to fund more study of the idea--assailed it as a potential union-busting tactic.

Although the measure was approved on an 11-2 vote, the heated debate it sparked suggested trouble ahead for the transit zone’s lead proponent, Councilman Richard Alarcon, who represents the northeast Valley.

Alarcon believes a separate Valley transit zone could save money and improve service.

But on Wednesday, he found himself on the defensive. Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg, who represents the Hollywood area, said the proposal was aimed at “lowering wages of drivers and mechanics . . . and that is a very serious thing for us to be involved with.”

Instead of making lower-level public employees take the hit on their wallets to save cost, Goldberg said, the city should look to the MTA’s “Taj Mahal” headquarters and “overpaid middle managers.”

Additionally, Councilmen Mike Hernandez of East L.A. and Nate Holden, who represents South L.A., questioned how the separate zone would tie into the whole of the city’s transit system--and whether riders everywhere would receive equal service.

“If we have separate zones, are we going to have separate rules? Are we going to be treating one part of the city different than other parts of the city?” Hernandez asked.

Holden and Councilwoman Rita Walters voted against the measure Wednesday.

The criticisms sparked a counterattack from Councilman Joel Wachs, who represents parts of the East Valley.

All working people, not just members of Los Angeles County’s transit unions, would benefit from lower fares and a better bus system, he said. “Who do you think rides those buses?” he pointedly asked Goldberg.

Alarcon sought a middle ground, arguing that only after continued study of the idea could the council assess its flaws. Besides, workers earning union wages wouldn’t necessarily have to suffer, Alarcon added: “There is a lot of wriggle room,” he said.

A consultant’s report for the city’s transportation department recently concluded that through competitive contracting and reduced overhead costs, a Valley transit agency could save 40% of current costs of running bus service in the Valley. Alternatively, a separate Valley agency could abide by existing MTA contracts and still save 21%.

Based on the findings, the department asked the council for $265,000 in additional funds for further study, and also to approve a notice to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announcing the city’s plans to apply for a Valley transit zone.

Wednesday’s vote means the department can continue its work, for now. A formal application to the MTA for a separate zone is probably six months away, transportation officials said.

The agency envisioned by Alarcon and other supporters would probably contract out the day-to-day management and operation of bus service in the Valley to private companies. The so-called “transit zone” agency is one of two competing proposals.

The other is a bill by state Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Los Angeles) that would establish a separate Valley agency with the power to plan both bus and rail projects, but with no control over whether the MTA funded the projects.

Ultimately, the issue is likely to be decided by the MTA board. A number of members, including County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, have endorsed a Valley zone.

Staff writer Jeff Leeds contributed to this story.