Metro To Offer Free Rides to a Sustainable Future

The Los Angeles Sustainability Coalition (LASC) continues in their commitment to a better environment by engaging public agencies and joining forces with top dignitaries, sustainability aficionados, political figures and CEOs to create a forum to help ensure a more sustainable future. Today, they are a major catalyst when it comes to accelerating sustainable initiatives in Los Angeles.

Founded by LASC Executive Director, Dr. Sherman Gay, former head and Business Outreach Officer for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority, the group met recently at the City Club to honor Metro CEO and visionary, Phil Washington, among others at The 2018 Sustainability Leadership Awards Dinner. 

Joe Reed, Vice President, Alternative Delivery at Balfour Beatty, accepted the honor of  ‘Construction Company of the Year” for their winning $4.9 billion bid to remodel the Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA) and substantial contributions to the community.

Tamara McCrossen-Orr, Chief Planning Officer at LAWA accepted the 2018 Los Angeles Sustainability Public Agency of the Year Award.  

Outstanding Sustainability Programs Awards were also presented to Herb Wesson Jr., President of the Los Angeles City Council and Youn Sim, PH.D, Sustainability and Innovation Officer at Los Angeles County Public Works.

Larry McCallon, Mayor, City of Highland and Metrolink Board Member received the Metrolink Outstanding Sustainability Programs Award.

Dr. Cris Liban, P.E., Executive Officer of Environment and Sustainability accepted the Metro Sustainability Council Award, followed by Community Service Awards presented to Los Angeles County Supervisors, Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger.

“Every year, it’s been an honor and privilege to highlight public agencies and executives who are integral to the development of sustainable infrastructure and programs in LA. This event is the culminating highlight of our ‘Transportation on the Move’ series, which recognizes individuals and corporations throughout the year that are improving resource conservation and transportation in our beloved, yet saturated city.” – said Dr. Gay.

Metro to offer Free Rides To a Sustainable Future

In case you haven’t been keeping track, modern man has set himself upon a collision course thanks to his extraordinary ability to alter the world around him. In his relentless effort to upsurge his own personal comfort level, mankind hasn’t seemed too concerned by his effects on mother Earth. Only 150 years from the industrial revolution, today, facing overpopulation, global warming, air, land, and water pollution, the future of the Earth is demanding a more sustainable lifestyle making a compelling case that we must let go of bad habits.

If we are indeed past the point of no return, at least we can rest assured member supported LA Sustainability Council and their guest list of honorees have got a plan. 

One of those plans, as described by Metro CEO Phil Washington could be an expansion of the Express Lane tolling system we already have in place. 

“Driving is too cheap?”

Currently, Californians are just getting used to Express Lanes and other toll road methods.  Metro is looking into plans that include the possibility of converting more “freeways” with all lanes becoming toll roads. This idea may come as a shock, and there is some opposition, but states in the US are already utilizing it while claiming it’s the best-known method for cutting down congestion, limiting harmful admissions and securing funding for new and existing infrastructures. 

Washington anticipated rolling eyes and the gasping sounds from the audience before expressing these plans and asked us all kindly not to form an angry mob. There would be light at the end of the tunnel.

In exchange for charging a fee to provide a transit system with less congestion, less pollution and safer commutes, Metro would offer all of its commuter services free of charge with way more frequent stops. 

Many already consider driving too costly, but just how much should we be charging ourselves to ruin the world?  Better it be a monetary cost, than a fatal one. Think about it.

Free Metro commutes for all in support of a safe and clean environment and more efficient infrastucture.  

Washington also spoke briefly about the shortage of qualified contractors able to construct these amazing builds. With the vision and innovative spirit, best-reserved for any CEO, he advocated for the creation of educational facilities, by Metro, with the purpose of recruiting and training disadvantaged youth around the country. 

“Foster-care and at-risk youth can go anywhere in the world with their trade,” said Washington of the plan to boost jobs and fill the demand for qualified transportation workers. “The focus shouldn’t be on a job, but a career pathway.”

The upcoming week would be busy for Dr. Gay, Joe Reed and Phil Washington as Washington would go on to lead Metro’s Annual Board Meeting, chaired by Mayor Garcetti the next day, and Dr. Gay and Reed would work on donating a truckload of toys to a cause advocated by Congresswoman Judy Chu. Happy sustainable holidays!

For more information about LASC visit: https://www.lasustainabilitycoalition.org