2008 Woodie Awards
Expanded Mass Transit Necessary to Valley's Future
Dr. Edward C. Ortell
Issue date: 10/13/04 Section: Opinions
- Page 1 of 1
Ridership is an important consideration in deciding what mass transit projects receive funding. It only makes sense. Tax dollars should be spent on projects where the greatest number of taxpayers will receive the greatest benefit.
As a trustee of Citrus College for over 35 years, I have witnessed the communities of the San Gabriel Valley, including my own city of Duarte, experience tremendous growth. In a recent SGV News Group editorial, "Valley will best MTA giant," kudos were given to efforts by cities in the Valley for seeking completion of the Metro Gold Line.
The article said the cities "are not going away," in spite of counter-efforts by the powerful MTA board. The MTA instead wants to begin construction of the Expo Line from L.A. to Santa Monica, citing greater potential ridership.
If the MTA is looking for riders, we have them. Citrus College is currently in the process of implementing our Eduational and Facilities Master Plan to accommodate the needs of a student body, which by 2010 is expected to reach 18,500. Serving those students will be full and part-time faculty and staff, currently in excess of 2,000 employees. Our neighbor to the south, Azusa Pacific University, is also beginning implementation of a master plan to serve their growing student body for the next 20 years.
Students need the convenience and economy of mass transit, and they need it at all times of the day, not just peak hours. As Citrus educates students in academic and vocational disciplines, students will also be learning to use mass transit. And a new class of students will arrive each year.
Recently, the Metro Gold Line Construction Authority voted to revise Segment I of the Foothill Extension, originally planned to terminate in Irwindale. Based on testimony provided by Citrus College at a public hearing, the agency extended Segment I to include the Citrus Avenue Station. They saw the potential in students, which they estimate will increase ridership by 25 percent.
The communities of the San Gabriel Valley are experiencing rapid growth. Their combined population is expected to increase by 600,000 by the year 2020. New housing projects are being planned for many areas, including a major development in Azusa, which will be adjacent to the proposed Citrus Avenue Station.
The Gold Line will be constructed along a right-of-way already in existence, saving significant tax dollars. Just as importantly, it has wide-spread support throughout the communities it will serve.
The Expo Line is facing significant opposition due to its construction corridor, which requires displacement of many homes and businesses. And an Expo Line held up by litigation will serve no one at all.
The estimated cost for completion of the Metro Gold Line is far less than the cost of other lines that transverse the densely-built areas of Los Angeles County. Construction of the Foothill Extension is the most cost-effective use of taxpayer dollars.
With only half of the Gold Line completed, the cities of the Valley believe it is still their turn at bat. The need is great, the potential ridership is great, and I agree, we are not going away.
As a trustee of Citrus College for over 35 years, I have witnessed the communities of the San Gabriel Valley, including my own city of Duarte, experience tremendous growth. In a recent SGV News Group editorial, "Valley will best MTA giant," kudos were given to efforts by cities in the Valley for seeking completion of the Metro Gold Line.
The article said the cities "are not going away," in spite of counter-efforts by the powerful MTA board. The MTA instead wants to begin construction of the Expo Line from L.A. to Santa Monica, citing greater potential ridership.
If the MTA is looking for riders, we have them. Citrus College is currently in the process of implementing our Eduational and Facilities Master Plan to accommodate the needs of a student body, which by 2010 is expected to reach 18,500. Serving those students will be full and part-time faculty and staff, currently in excess of 2,000 employees. Our neighbor to the south, Azusa Pacific University, is also beginning implementation of a master plan to serve their growing student body for the next 20 years.
Students need the convenience and economy of mass transit, and they need it at all times of the day, not just peak hours. As Citrus educates students in academic and vocational disciplines, students will also be learning to use mass transit. And a new class of students will arrive each year.
Recently, the Metro Gold Line Construction Authority voted to revise Segment I of the Foothill Extension, originally planned to terminate in Irwindale. Based on testimony provided by Citrus College at a public hearing, the agency extended Segment I to include the Citrus Avenue Station. They saw the potential in students, which they estimate will increase ridership by 25 percent.
The communities of the San Gabriel Valley are experiencing rapid growth. Their combined population is expected to increase by 600,000 by the year 2020. New housing projects are being planned for many areas, including a major development in Azusa, which will be adjacent to the proposed Citrus Avenue Station.
The Gold Line will be constructed along a right-of-way already in existence, saving significant tax dollars. Just as importantly, it has wide-spread support throughout the communities it will serve.
The Expo Line is facing significant opposition due to its construction corridor, which requires displacement of many homes and businesses. And an Expo Line held up by litigation will serve no one at all.
The estimated cost for completion of the Metro Gold Line is far less than the cost of other lines that transverse the densely-built areas of Los Angeles County. Construction of the Foothill Extension is the most cost-effective use of taxpayer dollars.
With only half of the Gold Line completed, the cities of the Valley believe it is still their turn at bat. The need is great, the potential ridership is great, and I agree, we are not going away.