Funding for Red/Purple Line expansion

[SOP0257]

Let me start out by saying that I don't live in the LA area, so I don't know how the taxes are like.

The fundamental question is not just whether there should be a Westside Subway extension, but whether there should be taxpayer funding for more mass transit in the LA area. One could say no to that question, but what does LA expect to do if there isn't more mass transit? There is horrendous traffic made worse by the fact that there is very little subway and commuter rail compared to other modern cities (I know Metrolink runs commuter rail, but it provides lackluster service in the non-peak hours, unlike counterparts in cities like NYC, Chicago, and Boston.).

[munchitup]

Originally Posted by SOP0257

Let me start out by saying that I don't live in the LA area, so I don't know how the taxes are like.

The fundamental question is not just whether there should be a Westside Subway extension, but whether there should be taxpayer funding for more mass transit in the LA area. One could say no to that question, but what does LA expect to do if there isn't more mass transit? There is horrendous traffic made worse by the fact that there is very little subway and commuter rail compared to other modern cities (I know Metrolink runs commuter rail, but it provides lackluster service in the non-peak hours, unlike counterparts in cities like NYC, Chicago, and Boston.).

Actually, one could not. I supposed they could say taxpayers shouldn't be the ones funding, but the fact of the matter is that rail expansion in Los Angeles County will be funded by sales tax in the county for the next 26 years by Measure R. If Measure R+ (which is the real-world parallel to the OP's hypothetical question) passes, then taxpayers would indefinitely help fund expansion (with a half cent sales tax at an average cost of $25 per resident per year).

One note: Measure R (and R+) are not exclusively to fund rail expansion - it also funds transit maintenance, highway expansion/maintenance (405 carpool lane / 710 Big-dig) as well as bicycle and pedestrian projects in the county.

Here's the breakdown from Wikipedia:

• 35% for transit capital projects (i.e. new rail and bus rapid transit lines).
• 3% for transit capital on the Metrolink commuter rail system.
• 2% for transit capital on things like rail cars and rail yards.
• 20% for highway capital projects.
• 5% for operations on new rail lines.
• 20% for bus operation improvements.
• 15% for local return (i.e. transportation money that individual cities decide how to spend)