The article from the World Socialist Web Site details proposed service cuts to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) beginning in late 2024. Under the guise of a “NextGen Bus Plan” and a budget adjustment, Metro is planning to significantly reduce bus service, eliminate some rail lines, and increase wait times on others, despite a growing population and increasing reliance on public transport, particularly among low-income residents.
The cuts are attributed to the depletion of federal COVID-19 relief funds and prioritizing the construction of new rail lines over maintaining existing bus routes. The plan aims to redirect resources to projects like the Sepulveda Transit Corridor project, which is seen as benefiting wealthier commuters while neglecting the needs of working-class riders.
The article highlights the impact these cuts would have on essential workers, students, and individuals who depend on public transit for daily necessities. It argues that these cuts disproportionately affect communities of color and exacerbate existing inequalities in access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The plan would leave an estimated 500,000 riders without accessible bus routes, effectively isolating entire neighborhoods from public transit. The article frames the situation as a deliberate attack on public transportation by a Democratic-controlled government prioritizing profit over the needs of the working class.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/09/ltar-m09.html