To the editor: The idea of bringing light rail to LAX is a decades-old concept. (“'Dangerous and exhausting': Seniors on using cumbersome LAX-it system,” letters, Aug. 4)
When the Metro C Line (formerly the Green Line) was first built, there were a lot of conspiracy theories about why it ended just short of LAX Airport. At a meeting I attended, Metro representatives said that because of the small footprint of LAX Airport, there was not enough room to safely bring a larger scale light rail to the airport. So an automated passenger transportation system is being built but has not yet opened.
The K Metro Line station just outside the airport will be connected to public transportation. Additionally, train and public transportation will serve bus passengers at a consolidated transit station. The current confusing rental car situation will also be consolidated to streamline that complicated task.
The idea is to reduce vehicular traffic at the Los Angeles airport, including ride-share drivers. Nearby communities are affected by increasing traffic on local streets around the airport, and the new Metro Rail stations and airport passenger shuttles should address that.
This reduction in vehicle traffic by switching to public transport will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which benefits everyone.
Matthew Hetz, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Yes, I agree that getting to and from LAX is a problem and needs work. In the meantime, I have a viable and “bitingly brilliant” solution: Metro Bus 232.
I take a $10 taxi to the bus stop in Long Beach. The ride on the 232 line takes just over an hour and drops you off at Sepulveda and Century boulevards, from where you walk to the terminal.
This works out much better than taking the A subway line to the C line and the LAX airport shuttle. And, at the airport, you walk with other travelers who are in the know, like airline pilots, all for less than $12.
Long live bus 232! It really does its job!
Mark Dustrude, Long Beach
