tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post4836572689134620243..comments2023-07-11T02:18:55.141-07:00Comments on The Pink Line: 10 Days to Get Your Pink Line Support to the MTADan Wentzelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-39221677779672732622008-05-01T09:34:00.000-07:002008-05-01T09:34:00.000-07:00Scott is certainly welcome to his opinion, but he ...Scott is certainly welcome to his opinion, but he is being defeatest. The Westside Transit Corridor Extension Study hasn't even finished yet. <BR/><BR/>In his singular focus on Hollywood/Highland to Century City, Scott also fails to mention the light rail option that goes from Santa Monica/San Vicente down La Cienga towards Wilshire/Expo. He also neglects to mention the benefits of the one-seat ride from North Hollywood to Century City or Wilshire from the Valley giving a precious alternative to the countless people snaking through passes and canyons every day.<BR/><BR/>The MTA is receiving more support for a Santa Monica Blvd. alignment than they ever thought they would. <BR/><BR/>Of course, there will be naysayers, some NIMBYs, the automobile-entitled, bus-only transit extremists, and other people who have a problem with West Hollywood for all the obvious (a.k.a. "gay") reasons -- and don't forget those who support other rail projects who view the Pink Line as a competitive threat to funding their preferred project and will find reasons to oppose it for their own self interests.<BR/><BR/>Do not lose heart on the basis of Scott's comments. Nothing has been decided yet. And even if the MTA were to say "no" now, which has not yet happened, that doesn't mean they won't say "yes" later as the coalition and demand for the Santa Monica Blvd. alignment continues to grow.<BR/><BR/>If the cities of West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles (Hollywood) want the "streetcar" option, that is fine. But there is no reason for them to settle for that now if what they really want is heavy and light rail.<BR/><BR/>"First they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." - Gandhi.Dan Wentzelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08900757609581954046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-89432990461185105602008-04-30T18:36:00.000-07:002008-04-30T18:36:00.000-07:00MTA is not going to recommend or pay for the Pink ...MTA is not going to recommend or pay for the Pink Line alignment through West Hollywood.<BR/><BR/>What I recommend you guys do is lobby the cities of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood to get the money together THEMSELVES, and build a streetcar (not light rail! Streetcar is easier, faster to build, and cheaper.) <BR/><BR/>This would travel about 5 miles along the old Pacific Electric ROW, from the Beverly Hills line at Century City (access to Century City), along Little Santa Monica, and Santa Monica the rest of the way to Highland Avenue in Hollywood, where it would turn north and meet up with the Red Line subway. You'd have to negotiate with the City of Los Angeles to run that last mile or so from Santa Monica and LaBrea to Hollywood and Highland. But that could be done.<BR/><BR/>The problem, as usual, is with the money to pay for this project. If the two municipalities get the money together (both are certainly not poverty-stricken locales) then this could be built in under one year (streetcar, not light rail).Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00373627864352784689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2914175111368769408.post-40427579648987281112008-04-17T13:40:00.000-07:002008-04-17T13:40:00.000-07:00This is an argument for using Alterative #9, but i...<EM>This is an argument for using Alterative #9, but instead of going straight through the back end of Beverly Hills, heading from San Vincente/Santa Monica to the Beverly Center, then joining the Purple Line at La Cienega/Wilshire on the way to Century City. That may add a few minutes to the total ride, but its certainly better than parking on Laurel, Coldwater Canyon, or the Sepulveda Pass, isn't it?</EM><BR/><BR/>You forgot one other benefit to this alignment: it makes the midcity-valley trip much more viable than the santa monica route. This way, folks as far east as La Cienega could get a 1 seater into the valley, and those getting on at fairfax wouldnt have to choose between going west to wilshire/santa monica or east to vermont.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com