At Metro's State of the Agency presentation, new CEO Stephanie Wiggins uttered some powerful words that gave me goosebumps.:
"I want to make Metro the first choice in transportation that people think about. In great cities around the world: London, Paris, New York, D.C., taking mass transit is normal and expected. In those cities, it's just what people do. In those cities, public transportation is their obvious choice. I want Angelenos to think that way."
This is a bold and powerful statement. It's the vision of Los Angeles public transportation that I have always had -- where it is not seen as merely "welfare mobility for the poor who would surely buy cars if they could", but as a viable, primary, and environmentally sustainable means of transporting oneself everywhere one needs to go. I want the mobility experience I had living in New York and London, right here in Southern California. I don't expect everyone to make that choice, of course. However, it should be an option that is thought of as "normal" and "reasonable" for a world class metropolitan County like Los Angeles.
More power to her. She has my full support.
Wiggins also mentions the importance of equity and compassion, and that law enforcement will not the first resort in dealing with homelessness.
I really appreciated her honest admission that the rollout of NextGen last week could have been better,: "We have learned some tough lessons over the last week." She promised more accountability, transparency, and clearer communications about fare collection and the NextGen rollout.
Also speaking on the program was incoming Metro Chair, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis.
I encourage you to watch the whole program. Wiggins begins her remarks at minute 34:
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