Guardian (UK)
Tuesday July 22, 2003
The accidental death of 10 people at the hands of an 86-year-old driver highlights the neglected state of LA's public transport system, writes Duncan Campbell "The other, much discussed issue has been over what older people are meant to do in
a culture that has dispensed with a comprehensive public transport system. During a public transport strike in LA a couple of years ago, it was noted that only 5% of commuters used public transport and those that did were the people with least political clout.
The
Bus Riders Union, which campaigns here for better facilities, has done great work over the last few years. But the fact remains that it can take an hour and a half to make a journey by public transport in LA that would take 20 minutes by car. As some of the older callers to local radio stations pointed out, banning them from driving in such circumstances would effectively put them under house arrest."
Bogota latest comments ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
anticrisis Disgusting. Unions trying to protect their turf without regard to the public good. The rapid transit is welcome in LA. This reminds me of another union that attempts to undermine progress -- the American Federation of Teachers.
I was a bit pissed because with the new Gold Line they took out my bus and switched them all up, but this light rail will be helpful. AND it costs the same price as the bus and will be quicker. AND it's electric and doesn't pollute like the bus. Hopefully more people will take it and stop driving and help cut down on this HORRIBLE SMOG we have!
As we all know, all this power comes from non poluting sources like coal and nuclear or maybe natural gas which gives no greenhouse gasses or deadly toxic by products.
