Notes from the MTA meeting

If you haven't already read the basics on our web story, the Gold Line did not receive $80 million in funding from MTA, meaning the agency gave up $320 million in matching funds from the federal government. It was a painfully long meeting, with a lot of agitation from a lot of different people from all over L.A. County. The complete story will be up online tomorrow and in the paper. Some notes:

- The SGV showed up in full force. Council members and/or other representatives from LaVerne, Monrovia, Arcadia, Glendora, San Gabriel, Duarte, Baldwin Park, and our own Bill Bogaard, showed up. About half the room cheered them after their speeches.

- There were equally angry people from the Westside, from the South Bay area, and elsewhere who showed up in force. Also, the Bus Rider's Union, which wants to do away with rail entirely, at least until bus service is improved.

-The room was so packed that people were moved to satellite areas to observe the meeting. One area had good sound, but no video. The other, in the cafeteria, had a small TV, but lousy sound (combined with non-interested parties eating and talking). Your humble correspondent managed to find an MTA media relations staffer around to help him get into the actual meeting. Where he stood in the back with dozens of other people.

- I think L.A. Councilman Bill Rosendahl was the wisest speaker. He suggested that the MTA try to pass a one cent sales tax increase instead of half a cents, but to use the money for full guarantees on the Gold Line, Green Line, Purple Line, and increase bus service. I believe it will be hard to get the measure passed without guaranteeing a more comprehensive plan for people all over the county, yet there will likely not be enough money to do that. Why not come up with a really ambitious plan that will really fix (or make a serious dent in) our congestion problems then go to the public and tell them what you need to do it?

- John Walsh, the resident gadfly at MTA, is hilarious. To summarize his views on every issue: white people (especially those on the multi-racial MTA board) are trying to screw over everyone else.

- I might be wrong, but I am pretty sure I saw Sen. Gloria Romero at Union Station after the meeting, about to use transit to get home (or wherever).

- I rode the Gold Line home. Passing through South Pas, I saw the farmer's market going on in the streets, just off the train. It looked out of place for Southern California, but obviously what rail-line advocates are hoping for.

- Several of the MTA board members complained about how East Los Angeles is getting a light-rail system instead of a subway. A few (none from the San Fernando Valley) talked about how the area got screwed because it only got a high-speed bus line. I don't see the problem. The Orange Line is as fast and efficient, if not more so, than the subway lines. The buses run every five minutes so you never wait long. Plus you are ABOVE GROUND. The view is much nicer. Why must everyone have a subway? Just because it is more expensive and shows that MTA cares about you more?