MetroRiderLA

This past Saturday, David Markland over at Metroblogging Los Angeles wrote a little post called “10 Ways to Improve L.A.’s Public Transportation System” that sparked big discussion. Among his ideas are the removal of all street parking from major roads, a county-wide $3/gallon gas tax, car pool lanes on surface streets, a ban on using wireless devices in cars, and taxing valets and parking services 50%. Not all of his ideas are quite so militant, others like making wi-fi and cell phone service available to transit users and allowing food and drink on transit are a bit more realistic. Inspired by his post, I have decided to make my own top 10 list, strictly from a transit user’s perspective. I’m not going to attacking funding or car culture or large scale infrastructure issues, just some basic things that I think Metro could do to make the current transit experience a lot friendlier. Feel free to add your own list in the comments.

1. Benches at every bus stop. And not those crappy plastic ones that are made out of garbage can material either. Those things make the city look ugly and aren’t particularly comfortable. Nice, stylish, comfortable benches please. And plenty of them. We know the bus isn’t going to be on time, so please give us a chance to rest our legs while we wait. Bus shelters would be even better, but I’m trying to be somewhat realistic.

The Good. Photo courtesy of Spacing Magazine.

The Bad. Photo courtesy of Fire Monkey Fish.

The Ugly. Photo courtesy of Fred Camino.

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And should we? Would any of you use it?

Copied from their press release:

Earn rewards while you ride
10.30.2007

Apply for your BART Rider Rewards MasterCard®, issued by Chase, and start earning points redeemable for something you use every day, BART tickets.

The BART Rider Rewards MasterCard® works just like an airline frequent flyer card, only better! Cardholders have the opportunity to earn points redeemable for BART tickets.

BART is the first major urban public transportation agency in the country to provide customers with a program like this.

OUTSTANDING BENEFITS FOR CARDHOLDERS
The BART Rider Rewards MasterCard® allows cardholders to earn points faster than most other rewards cards. Cardholders earn five points for each dollar spent on eligible BART purchases: at BART ticket vending machines, tickets purchased online through bart.gov, linking the BART Rider Rewards MasterCard® to a BART EZ Rider smart card, and reserved parking permit purchases made at bart.gov/parking.

In addition, cardholders can earn two points per dollar on purchases made at qualifying entertainment locations and one point per dollar on all other purchases.

* Points can be redeemed for BART tickets or cash.
* 2,500 points earns a $25 BART ticket
* 4,500 points earns a $48 BART ticket
* 6,000 points earns a $64 BART ticket
* 5,000 points earns a check for $50
* 10,000 points earns a check for $100

There is no annual fee.

APPLYING FOR THE CARD IS EASY
Just apply for the card by using Chase’s online application or call Chase at 1-866-482-8180.

Damien Goodmon, transit advocate and founder of FixExpo.org, presents a series of articles defending his position on the controversy surrounding the Metro Exposition Line. The thoughts presented in this series are those of Damien Goodmon and Fix Expo and do not necessarily reflect the views of MetroRiderLA, its contributors, and/or readers.

The Expo Line controversy: At-grade rail. Dorsey HS. LAUSD. CPUC. Environmental racism. Fix Expo. Expo Communities United. And Damien Goodmon.

Many still don’t understand how or why I became the driver of the entity most critical of Los Angeles’ newest light rail line. And so for the next couple of weeks, I’ll write the Exposing Expo series, with the belief that by bringing to light the many interactions, information and uncovered documents, more can get a clearer picture of the 600 pound guerilla that is the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority, an agent of MTA.

Because the process, fellow transit advocates, is very revealing and rather interesting. Indeed, what has become a tenacious brawl, began rather innocently and with the best of opinions of Expo staff.

“Work with staff,” I was told.

“Just ask questions and they’ll be honestly evaluated and fully answered,” I was led to believe.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

What will be illustrated is an arrogant and willfully ignorant Expo Board that continues to downplay the safety issues, mounting public pressure and pending legal actions that if unaddressed will derail the largest public works project in their districts.

What will be revealed is an unethical and snide Expo staff acting defensively and immorally under the crisis of transparency.

What will be exposed are actions of people who claim they’re transit advocates, which are more in line with that of agency apologists and public relations front men.

I will never disclose the contents of private conversations, and I legally can’t mention anything discussed in mediation, but pretty much everything public will be made available for the world to see.

Important questions will be answered, such as:
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I’m thrilled about the thread on Prop 91. I think it’s one of the best things we can do on this blog: discuss political matters as they relate to transit.

So I propose we take the opportunity to discuss the upcoming February election.

As mentioned, Prop 91 has direct implications on public transit. Prop 92 (which mandates spending on community colleges and restricts fees) has indirect implications (by tying up funding that might be used on other things, including transit). And Props 94-96 may generate revenues by expanding gambling, although most of these funds aren’t restricted to any programs (as far as I know).

I’m not aware of other issues on the ballot. Perhaps there are local issues someone can bring up?

And of course, there’s the little matter of the president! Does any candidate (in any party) have a very strong pro- or anti-transit platform? This issue isn’t covered much in the popular media, that’s for sure!

Last, but not least, I’d like to nag you all to register to vote by Jan 22. You can start the process online here.