On transit, L.A. isn’t Denver
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Re “L.A. could look to Denver for its transit template,” Aug. 6
Although Denver is a great model for transit growth, it is not a model for L.A. The combination of a very large urban area and transit politics makes achieving consensus impossible. As a result, we build rail lines in places where they are easy to build (politically and economically) rather than where they are most needed (building the easy Exposition line instead of the difficult Wilshire subway).
Building more transit as a way of reducing congestion assumes that “other people” will use it so that “I” can continue driving. Congestion is not something that can be reduced, period.
That doesn’t mean that there are no solutions. Lasting solutions provide convenient alternatives to driving, instead of just reducing congestion so we can drive more.
Mark J. Brown
Los Angeles
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