Judge denies Injunction on Metro Fare Increases
Increased fares on Metro bus and rail lines will take effect Sunday as planned, a Los Angeles judge ruled today,
despite an attempt by advocacy groups to get an injunction blocking the higher prices.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant denied a request by the Bus Riders Union, National Resources Defense Council and Labor/Community Strategy Center for a temporary restraining order against the fare hikes.
Despite the judge’s ruling, the three groups will move forward with their lawsuit and may seek another injunction, attorney David Pettit said.
“Today doesn’t mean we’re giving up,” Pettit said. “Sure, I’m disappointed but the case isn’t over."
The advocacy groups claim agency officials did not consider the environmental effects of the higher fares when Metro's board of directors approved the increases May 24. Under the California Environmental Quality Act, an environmental review must be done before the new fares take place, Pettit argued.
However, lawyers for the MTA said the agency was not required to prepare the report because the additional revenue -- $32 million a year -- will be used to cover operating costs rather than new construction.
--City News Service
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I'm glad, very glad, that judge made the right decision and approved the MTA's fare hikes. Fare hikes are needed, in order for the agency to get out of the budget and proceed with truly important project - such as Rail development. (it's common sense that only Rail transit can get us around Los Angeles, whereas buses have shown to have fail, taking hours (!) to commute)
Some people don't realize that oil prices affect EVERYBODY, including minorities and poor, alas.
But - I also salute the fare latest increase by MTA because it was relatively minor increase (only $10 more per month for a day pass). This minor increase should NOT significantly affect poor people. $10 a month is a small difference.
Once again, since federal and state funding is not available, the only option was to raise fares, and - there will finally be money available to build the long-overdue Subway and other Rail lines.
As far as Bus Riders' Union, I have no respect for them, because all they do is make a lot of noise for publicity, and are acting out of their racial motivations. Bus Riders' Union got MTA into a big mess and financial trouble by forcing to enter the Consent Decree, so I'm glad they're not being able to have their way again. I want to thank MTA (and the judge!) in making the right decision.
Alek