By Dan Wentzel Santa Monica
(Re: Bill Bauer’s column, “Relieve congestion? Reduce development,” Aug. 6) I hear his frustration, but Mr. Bauer needs to realize that the golden age of the car in Southern California, where people have a sense of entitlement to drive their single-occupancy vehicle any time, any place, anywhere they want with cheap gasoline, affordable parking and minimal congestion, is now over and will only continue to decline in the future. While (Bauer) may be unhappy that needed public transit and pedestrian improvements like bus-only lanes and traffic signals make life more difficult for him as a motorist, I would take his commentary more seriously if he would indicate what behavior changes he’s willing to make to alleviate the traffic problems himself. How many bus rides will he commit to a week? Where is he now willing to walk, bike or bus in the future that, as of now, he’s currently driving? Among a frustrated motorist’s options are moving closer to work or finding jobs closer to home or major transit lines so that transit is more viable. (Bauer) could also find a place to live where it is possible to walk to his grocery store, dry cleaners, pharmacy and Starbucks, of which Santa Monica has such areas. But I won’t be shedding any tears or losing any sleep because driving a single-occupancy vehicle is increasingly more difficult.
Public transit and pedestrian improvements don’t exist to benefit single-occupancy motorists who are clinging to the past or are waiting for someone else to change their behavior. Congestion is only going to get worse in the future and, therefore, more public transit and pedestrian projects will be required in the years to come. Whether or not single-occupancy drivers like the changes, everyone will end up modifying their behavior in some way out of economic and environmental necessity.
I do agree with Mr. Bauer’s comment that “public transit must be more convenient and inviting.” To support that, I suggest he use his column, instead, to advocate the Daily Press’ readership to lobby and demand that Sacramento and Washington politicians support public transit funding.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 11, 2007. Read the original PDF.