The following Letters to the Editor appeared in the Los Angeles News Group papers (San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin and others) on July 27, 2015 and July 29, 2015.
Readers answer our question about Southern California’s mass-transit system: Letters
July 27, 2015
Finish the Foothill line
I have been following the progress of the completion of the Foothill Gold Line. When I heard that there would be a line from Azusa to Montclair, I was very excited.
I have been working in Azusa for many years, and have been praying that a rail line would go from my area close to my work.
Several years ago, I took the Metro from Upland to Covina, but unfortunately the shuttles and bus stops made it difficult to continue as it took too long to get to the north end of Azusa from Covina.
I recently read an article saying there might be a stop to this project, and I am writing to voice that there are still people waiting for a line from the East to Azusa (and I’m sure from Pasadena to Azusa).
My short, 14-mile drive sometimes takes me 45 minutes to one hour, and I would much rather spend that time sitting on a train, where I can read and listen to my music. I know that there are others wanting to take the train more, but there have not been lines that access the upper cities in our area (Azusa, Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Montclair, Claremont, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga).
There is also a college and university in the Azusa/Glendora area and I believe the rail line would be a great benefit to students as well.
— Karen Wootten-Akers, Upland
More readers say what they want from Southern California’s mass-transit system: Letters
July 29, 2015
Adding rail would relieve traffic on 210 and 405
Extending the Gold Line to Montclair is a must-do no-brainer. It’s shovel-ready and has overwhelming community support. Anyone who drives the 210 Freeway during morning rush hour west to Pasadena, or the afternoon rush hour back east from Pasadena to the San Gabriel Valley/Inland Empire ’burbs, knows how excruciating it is — one of Los Angeles County’s most under-reported traffic nightmares.
The Pasadena-Azusa extension will help quite a bit for starters, but to really make a dramatic impact in solving this traffic crisis we need to go all the way to Montclair with rail. It will make a huge difference.
Another future project that merits serious consideration is rail transit connecting West L.A. to the San Fernando Valley along the 405 Freeway. The 405 is the ultimate L.A. driving nightmare. Adding lanes clearly solved nothing. A rail alternative would make a truly epic change in reducing the severity of that traffic misery.
A rail alternative would be a true gift from God (or Garcetti). Just my 2 cents. This would be sales tax money very well spent, an investment reaping untold rewards for us, our children and our children’s children.
— Justin Slosky, Pasadena
Add security presence
As a former Blue Line passenger and current Metrolink passenger, I find the most important thing in riding public transportation is security. I would like to see an increase in police/security presence.
It would be nice to have Wi-Fi as an added amenity. My family and I look forward to riding the Gold Line from Claremont to Pasadena or downtown.
— Caroline Hernandez, Claremont
I would love to have a train from Pomona and travel down the 71 freeway then to the 91 freeway and travel the old beach route. That we use to take, back before there was a freeways. This would be a great way to connect the IE with the OC. I would like others would leave my car at home and take the train, don’t have to worry about parking or the freeway traffic. And if you could, like to see the red car travel down to the beach. I know a lot of people are asking why didn’t they use the red car design?