Partner's Corner: The Transit Coalition

The Transit Coalition is a dedicated, grassroots, all-volunteer organization that advocates a balance between many transportation modes. Our interest is in improving bus, subway, commuter rail, light rail, bike, airport access, goods movement, physically challenged access, and automobile transportation in Southern California.

• We have Transit Coalition Dinner Meetings every month with key transit officials as participants and as guest speakers.
• The Transit Coalition is currently pursuing increased Metrolink service through its Metrolink MAX campaign.
• We are also working to curb uncontrolled growth in the Inland Empire.

In the short term, we work with representatives from local and regional transportation agencies, elected officials and community members to improve the quality of the existing rail and bus systems such as hours and frequencies of service, working facilities and improved signage. We mobilize interested groups and individuals to ask agencies and officials for added transit service and increased operating and capital funding.

In the longer term, we work with political officials and staffers to support major transit improvements and identify possible sources of funds. We examine myths, misinformation and misperceptions and rebut them using facts and evidence.

We meet with elected officials and their staffs in Washington, DC; Sacramento, CA; and Southern California on critical transit issues. We also participate in various community outreach meetings to garner public support for the betterment of transit. We will either speak or submit written comments at public meetings and hearings regarding transportation, instilling a culture of action among our members.

Four years ago, our organization was instrumental in stopping a housing development within the Newhall Pass. Known as Stop Las Lomas, our campaign educated officials on the impact this development would have on existing freeways and the dangers of bringing transit facilities as token mitigation to offset much greater damage to the area.

The Transit Coalition's vision for a Metrolink corridor system with trains running every 30 minutes.Specifically, we aim to increase Metrolink train frequencies in the Southland to 30 minutes between trains, including late at night and weekends, with through service at L.A. Union Station. Metrolink can also increase revenue by changing from a "segment" system to a "corridor" system. Instead of having all routes begin and end in Union Station the segments are combined to create larger corridors.

The Transit Coalition's A Better Inland Empire project is dedicated to advocate for the development of safe, fast, cost effective and environmentally sound public transportation system all around the Inland Empire and connecting regions.

Several members currently serve on advisory boards such as the Los Angeles City Bicycle Advisory Committee and the LA Council District 11 Neighborhood Empowerment Congress Transportation Committee, where transportation policy is crafted and placed into effect.

On occasion, we also work directly with transit service providers to find ways to provide better bus service, even as many of these agencies have reduced funds. Our aim is to find efficiencies in a bus system, where routes can be modified according to demand and destinations, without adding to costs.

Much of our work consists of preparing print materials, which include maps, descriptions, and plans of action, for people to visualize what can be achieved. We maintain a website that houses this material so that the transit advocate has the tools needed to inform others, readily available.

Finally, we work with other transit-minded organizations to exchange ideas and provide a united front when it comes to certain projects and proposals.