06.11.08
this will change our lives, west siders. make it happen!!
04.07.08
gas tax coming to LA?
The gas tax/fee is a straightforward way to place incentives on purchasing gas-efficient cars, taking public transit, and reducing overall car trips. Thomas Friedman calls the idea a Patriot Tax because it results in a net decrease of power and influence by OPEC and Middle Eastern countries.
Such a tax/fee may finally come to LA, the city with the worst gridlock and oil-consumption habit in America. A recent report showed that LA loses 9 billion dollars a year from the inefficiencies that come with the constant gridlock.
The LA proposition amounts to a user fee. If you use gas, you pay an extra 9 cents per gallon at the pump, or a one time $90 dollar fee through the DMV (either implementation results in a projected $400 million revenue per year). This money would be used for the Metropolitan Transportation Association’s budget, to pay for current transit and expand services. This second part, about expanding services, should be the key emphasis of the proposition. The article does not cite increased rail lines or bus routes to come from the proposal, but the backers of this bill should encourage the new funds to be used to expand the public transit network so that folks will have more options to use transit. As is stands, the networks in LA are uneven and are simply not practical for many people. If the new revenues are only used to shore MTA’s shaky finances, the proposal will not be able to generate widespread support. Regardless, I think the proposal is a step in the right direction and I’m pleasantly surprised to see the number of officials who are already on board, given that these proposals are inherently unpopular!
09.09.06
the utilitarian principle of mass transit
lawa (los angeles worldwide airports) announced their remote bag check-in program this week. that means that you essentially check in your bags at a shuttle stop, and then board a shuttle and wait in line for security check, by passing the luggage check-in lines. brilliant idea, especially since you can’t carry shampoo on the plane anymore (i concede, the terrorists have finally won, now that they’ve severly inconvenienced by travel style). this plan not only will encourage more folks to use these FlyAway shuttles (which leave from Van Nuys and Union Station in downtown), but will also make travel more efficient for passengers and airlines (presumbly, unless they fuck it up).
they should take this plan further and make shuttle/bus only lanes on the highway to make these flyaway shuttles the truly desirable option over driving. this way, the shuttle is faster, cheaper than paying for parking at the airport, and an all-around good value. one problem with the fly-away shuttles is that they have to go to each terminal to pick up passengers, which can add 20 minutes to your trip. making up for that time on the highway would counteract this time wasted. these bus/shuttle routes would help every single commuter and bus line in LA be more attractive to the car-addicted LA citizens.
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