Opinion

June 22, 2010

It’s Time to Get on Board With Transit

by Ellen Isaacs, Eli Lipmen and Jody Feerst Litvak

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Ask people in Los Angeles if they think we can have a public transportation system that is more extensive than London’s, cleaner than Tokyo’s or more accessible than New York’s. They will probably say, “Not in my lifetime.”

Guess what? That vision is becoming a reality.

In the last 20 years, greater Los Angeles has been busily remaking itself from a freeway-happy megalopolis to a county with the third-largest transit system in the country. And in 2008, faced with massive traffic congestion and on the brink of a severe recession, 68 percent of L.A. County voters passed Measure R, which will raise $40 billion over 30 years and build the subway to Westwood, the Gold Line to Arcadia, an Orange Line extension to Canoga Park, the Green Line to LAX and the South Bay and more.

Now, Mayor Villaraigosa and Los Angeles leaders have proposed the innovative 30/10 plan to build the Measure R projects in only 10 years by creatively leveraging federal funds secured by the Measure R revenue. If successful, we will dramatically transform Los Angeles — in our lifetimes.

Transit in Los Angeles must now be put on top of the Jewish community agenda. Many of the individuals involved in the effort to create a viable transportation system in Los Angeles are Jewish, particularly members of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), who signed on early in support. Raising transportation’s profile in our community can help us achieve more in our efforts on behalf of Israel, peace, social justice for the poor and the environment; more transit means energy independence, congestion relief, access to services and better air quality.

The leading Jewish organizations in Los Angeles need to step up and add transit to their agendas. Every synagogue should also step up and create a transit committee or fully and completely incorporate transit into the other work that they do. This includes ensuring that members and visitors alike know how to get to the synagogue door by transit.

Transit in Los Angeles helps to address an energy security issue for the United States and Israel: We rely too much on driving and are, therefore, at the mercy of oil prices over which we have no control, set by oil-producing countries that challenge our foreign policy goals and the State of Israel. We should be using light rail, subways and clean fuel buses to become energy independent.

Transit is a social justice issue: What is more democratic than public transportation accessible to all, at a price that most can afford? What is more just than being able to easily access jobs, schools and health care without eating up your whole day or a sizeable chunk of your budget?

Transit is an environmental issue: Oil dependence pollutes our oceans, coastlines and air — the environmental devastation of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster is a consequence of our addiction to oil. Los Angeles. County is dotted by oil derricks, offshore oil rigs and oil refineries that degrade our environment and are potential environmental disasters in the making. They also contribute to some of the worst air quality in the country because the end product, gasoline, fuels the millions of cars on our congested roads. We can end our car dependency and improve our environment by getting out of our cars and into clean, green transit. Simply put, other than walking or biking, public transit is the most energy efficient, most environmentally sound and least expensive way to travel, and all of this should matter to the Jewish community.

But, you say, I like driving my own car. I can come and go as I please, on my own timetable.

Really? In this traffic? Want to enjoy a pastrami sandwich at Langer’s? Hop on the subway. Visit the recently reopened Breed Street Shul in East L.A.? Take the Gold Line. Taking a class at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion? Soon you will be able to take the Expo Line there. Attending Jewish Community Night at Dodger Stadium? Take Metrolink or the Red, Purple or Gold Line to Union Station and hop on the free shuttle bus. Catch the latest exhibit at the Skirball? Take the bus. (Did you know you get a discount on admission at the Skirball just by showing your transit pass?) Going to see Dudamel and the L.A. Phil at the Walt Disney Concert Hall? Take the Red Line. Need to do your Shabbat shopping in Valley Village? Take the Orange Line.

Increased mobility in Los Angeles leads to better air, energy independence and improved access to jobs, education, medical care and even improved recreational opportunities. That’s why Move LA, an extraordinary coalition of leading business, labor and environmental organizations, has come together to advocate for the jobs, mobility and access that transit represents. This includes the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, the Sierra Club, Environment Now and many more. The Jewish community must be part of that coalition.

Transit is one way of repairing our world. Talk with your lay leaders and rabbis. Get educated on transportation issues in the county. Schedule a meeting to find out more about Measure R and the 30/10 plan for L.A. County. Talk with your elected representatives at the local, county, state and national levels about what you can do to make more transportation options available sooner in Los Angeles. Figure out how you can begin to take transit. Together, the Jewish community can accomplish great things and help make Los Angeles a world-class city with a world-class transportation system. Let’s get on board.

Ellen Isaacs is transportation deputy for Assemblyman Mike Feuer (42nd district). Eli Lipmen is director of communications for the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and a member of the Move LA coalition. Jody Feerst Litvak is community relations manager for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

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A version of this article appeared in print.

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Unfortunately building just several lines won’t create a system that is even remotely close to New York, London, or Moscow.
MTA needs to develop a CITYWIDE network of subway and light-rail lines, not just a couple! So far, I haven’t seen other major arteries in the plans for a Rail line; for example, what about Ventura Blvd.? Fairfax Avenue? La Brea Avenue? Sunset Blvd.? Melrose Avenue? and so on, and so on… All of those streets are heavily congested, yet there are no plans to build a Rail line under/along these corridors…
Until we get reliable public transportation on ALL major streets (especially the ones that are heavily congested), Los Angeles will still be a car-obsessed city.

Comment by Alek F on 6/23/10 at 2:13 pm

Public transit is also a health issue.  Taking cars off our road decreases pollution that triggers asthma, the top reason our kids stay home from school.  If the LA Jewish community values education and youth, and for the many reasons stated in this article, we must get mobilized to support public transportation and the 30/10 plan.

Comment by Dan Witzling on 6/23/10 at 4:44 pm

I AM WORRIED THAT NO ONE IS TAKING ACTION:
Islam plans to bring back its Cordoba mosque, symbol of power over Christians and Jews from Islam’s golden age. Islam’s replacement theology will bring sharia law to NYC and to America. it’s planned for Ground Zero on 9/11.  They must be stopped. Don’t allow our misguided New Yorkers to allow this; please work to stop it before it’s too late.
Tolerance of Intolerance is not tolerance, but cultural annihilation.

Comment by Tabitha korol on 6/23/10 at 6:08 pm

Bravo and well put!

Building public transit is the best way rebound our economy. Not only will it create jobs and reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, but less cars on the road means a better quality of life for all Angelenos.

Comment by Igor Kagan on 6/26/10 at 9:36 pm

I think its amazing and great that LA is working on its efficient Public transportation system! I have just moved here to LA from London, so am used to getting the underground tube everywhere when I was at home, now I am here I have to drive EVERYWHERE! I don’t mind but there is no alternative, it would be amazing to decide not to take the car one day and just hop on the tube!

I look forward to seeing it develop!
Thanks
Laura

Comment by lax car service on 6/28/10 at 1:55 pm

@lax car service - welcome to Los Angeles!
By the way, I visited London a couple of years ago, and - Yes, you guys have a great subway (aka Tube/Underground) system.
Now, as far as L.A. - it’s not true that you “have to drive EVERYWHERE” (quote/unquote). This is what the automakers have been heavily propagating, but the reality is - depending on where you live - there ARE options besides driving. Personally, I live in Hollywood, and I drive no more than twice a month. Los Angeles does have a subway system, as well as a commuter rail (Metrolink) and bus system. If you have any questions as far as how to get around via mass transit - let me know, I will be happy to share.
Alek

Comment by Alek F on 6/28/10 at 9:14 pm

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