L.A. County transit officials are forecasting the largest operating
deficit in their history, prompting them to consider cuts to bus and
rail service as well as fare increases.
The shortfall, caused by cuts in state funding as well as an 8% decline
in ridership over the last year, could be more bad news for L.A.
riders, who have long complained about crowded buses and limited
services.
"The issue is coming to a head, that they’re a quarter-billion dollars
short on operating. . . . Your usual options are to cut service or
raise fares," said Bart Reed, executive director of the nonprofit
Transit Coalition, which monitors service at the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority and other agencies. "It’s a really hideous
situation. Riders are going to feel the pain."
The MTA says it is unlikely there will be major cuts to its ambitious
rail expansion projects because most of that money comes from grants
and dedicated funding sources, including the half-cent-on-the-dollar
sales tax that voters approved in 2008. Read the full story here.
-Ari B. Bloomekatz
Photo: This bus is packed, but MTA ridership overall is down. There are no firm proposals for service cuts yet.
Credit: Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times