INSIDE THE HALLS: LOS ANGELES FAST FORWARDTo be honest, for quite a while there was absolutely nothing appealing to me about Los Angeles’ metro and bus network. The metro did not go places I wanted to visit, and even if it did, I didn’t know how to use the system. I was content to spend $200 a month pumping gas into my car because, after all, that’s what people in Los Angeles do, right? I’m since a convert. It’s not necessarily a green lifestyle thing, (although that’s a plus), but because of what ought to drive people to use public transit: convenience and cost savings. Passing Measure R and building the Expo Line has had a truly tangible impact on my life. I proselytize for the metro system now. I ride the Expo and red line daily and could not be happier. I save money, work during my commute and never have to worry about paying for parking. From where I sit, that’s not a bad combination. I’m one of the 11,000 people and counting who use the Expo line everyday. As they say, “if you build it, they will come.”Today, Mayor Villaraigosa joined President Obama to sign the Surface Transportation Bill. The bill funds a number of activities, but what’s important for Los Angeles is that it includes America Fast Forward. For those unfamiliar, America Fast Forward is the Mayor’s initiative that will accelerate localities ability to secure federal dollars for infrastructure, while bonding against guaranteed future tax revenue. The concept is a novel one, and we created a bi-partisan coalition (which includes the Chamber of Commerce) to help get it passed. It was a two year battle of starts, stops and ideological gridlock. Last week, Congress came together and passed the bill in an encouraging display of leadership. Congress’ action and President Obama’s signature are a victory for LA. It means the acceleration of 400,000 jobs across the country. It means potentially over $300 million for transportation and infrastructure projects in Los Angeles. There’s no silver bullet to solve our traffic problems in Los Angeles – no single rail line or bus route will magically part the congestion. But there’s something to be said for progress, and today President Obama signed a bill that’s a major step forward for Los Angeles. That’s a win for all Angelenos.  Go ahead and celebrate by giving public transit here another try. -Bret VandenBosOffice of Mayor Antonio R. VillaraigosaDirector of Social Media
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INSIDE THE HALLS: LOS ANGELES FAST FORWARD

To be honest, for quite a while there was absolutely nothing appealing to me about Los Angeles’ metro and bus network. The metro did not go places I wanted to visit, and even if it did, I didn’t know how to use the system. I was content to spend $200 a month pumping gas into my car because, after all, that’s what people in Los Angeles do, right?

I’m since a convert. It’s not necessarily a green lifestyle thing, (although that’s a plus), but because of what ought to drive people to use public transit: convenience and cost savings. Passing Measure R and building the Expo Line has had a truly tangible impact on my life. I proselytize for the metro system now. I ride the Expo and red line daily and could not be happier. I save money, work during my commute and never have to worry about paying for parking. From where I sit, that’s not a bad combination.

I’m one of the 11,000 people and counting who use the Expo line everyday. As they say, “if you build it, they will come.”

Today, Mayor Villaraigosa joined President Obama to sign the Surface Transportation Bill. The bill funds a number of activities, but what’s important for Los Angeles is that it includes America Fast Forward. For those unfamiliar, America Fast Forward is the Mayor’s initiative that will accelerate localities ability to secure federal dollars for infrastructure, while bonding against guaranteed future tax revenue. The concept is a novel one, and we created a bi-partisan coalition (which includes the Chamber of Commerce) to help get it passed. It was a two year battle of starts, stops and ideological gridlock.

Last week, Congress came together and passed the bill in an encouraging display of leadership. Congress’ action and President Obama’s signature are a victory for LA. It means the acceleration of 400,000 jobs across the country. It means potentially over $300 million for transportation and infrastructure projects in Los Angeles.

There’s no silver bullet to solve our traffic problems in Los Angeles – no single rail line or bus route will magically part the congestion. But there’s something to be said for progress, and today President Obama signed a bill that’s a major step forward for Los Angeles.

That’s a win for all Angelenos.  Go ahead and celebrate by giving public transit here another try.

-Bret VandenBos
Office of Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa
Director of Social Media