Rail Bond Measure Defeated

Does the defeat of Prop. 156 mean that voters have had a change of heart about rail transit? Not in Los Angeles County!

L.A. County voters continued their mandate for rail transit with their fourth straight majority for public funding of rail transit since June, 1990 (Prop. 108--62% yes; 116--60%; C--50.4%; 156--54%). Votes in the urban part of the county were even higher--over 10 points in the downtown to Westside area, for example.

Defeat of these bonds should, however, bring renewed emphasis on priorities and cost-effectiveness. We should build as many miles of rail lines, as soon as possible, with the taxpayers’ scarce dollars. The Times’ editorial concerning $2.7 million of questioned Metro Rail overhead expenses (Nov. 7) is a step in this direction, but much greater savings are possible.

The proposed Santa Monica, Glendale, Torrance, etc., light rail lines need not be canceled or deferred, as suggested in Stein’s article (Nov. 5). Over $1 billion--more than the entire statewide bond issue, and enough to build two or three light rail lines--would become available if only the San Fernando Valley Red Line were built above ground (passing above or below cross streets) rather than in the currently planned subway beneath the existing railroad right of way.

DARRELL CLARKE

Santa Monica