An example of the continuing tension in the relationship between MTA and the munis is contained in the minutes of the Oct. 9 meeting of Access Service's Transportation Professionals Advisory Committee. Scott Greene of MTA reported on the MTA Fixed Route Monitoring Program and requested feedback. The response of Dick Stillwell of Long Beach Transit was to opine he didn't like the idea of MTA boarding Long Beach Transit buses.

As I anticipated the minutes of the Nov. 19 Antelope Valley Transit Authority Special Board meeting contained former Executive Director Bill Budlong bitter comments regarding what he saw as the transformation of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) over time into being overly intrusive on issues Budlong complained were outside their purview and rightly should have been left to the Board or AVTA management. I recently read an American Public Transit Association publication on "Assessment of the General Manager" which noted in a crisis sometimes boards of directors must for a time take on managerial functions due to a breakdown in normal processes. Could the TAC in this case have been reacting to a growing crisis in AVTA management by providing oversight that while obtrusive providing stability until the underlying problem could be dealt with? Certainly Mr. Budlong provides no explanation for the situation or why he so suddenly announced his resignation.

During the holiday break I spent a few hours at the Nonprofit Resource Library at the Center for Nonprofit Management in downtown Los Angeles. Member Anthony Loui had suggested that despite our 501(c)(4) status that funding opportunities do exist. I found some interesting leads that may dovetail with a small project I have in mind, inspired somewhat by the next item.

The Bureau of State Audits has released a report on MTA's service sectors ("It Is Too Early to Predict Service Sector Success, but Opportunities for Improved Analysis and Communication Exist") which I found quite illuminating. Interestingly in analyzing the issue of service duplication the audit briefly touches on the hub and spoke effort MTA is undertaking and expresses concerns at whether adequate provision is being made to include the munis in the planning process. My, that sounds like some of the concerns we raised with MTA staff a few months ago. Maybe this month Mr. Clifford will be able to share with us progress made in this regard. The report can be viewed on the Bureau's website [http://www.bsa.ca.gov/bsa/summaries/2002-116.html] or printed copies can be requested via online form [http://www.bsa.ca.gov/bsa/reports/ord_form.html] or call (916) 445-0255.

question of the month: why is the Metro Rapid on Crenshaw that is to begin Feb. 2 operating weekdays only? [kudos to sharp eyed member Perias Pillay for bringing to my attention this tidbit buried in the Dec. Metro News brochure]

The Los Angeles Business Journal reports that LAX expansion opponents Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion has crafted with the airlines an alternate LAX Master Plan that is far less disruptive and expensive than Mayor Hahn's Alternative D. These two stakeholders joining forces is a alliance no one will be able to ignore--and may be the final blow to Hahn's wounded proposal.

Unsettling trend of month: recently a voice mail message asked we drop the Alliance for AC Transit from our mailing list because its mainstays had moved on to other issues. Now comes a postcard that the venerable Committee for Better Transit that for over 40 years advocated for improvements in New York's system is "defunct" in the aftermath of the death a year ago of its founder Stephen Dobrow.

SCAGLEV strikes again! Rattling a tin cup the Southern California Association of Governments is going to various local jurisdictions and entities hoping to bamboozle them into contributing toward the local match to secure a federal grant for preliminary engineering of the initial maglev segment--West L.A. to Ontario. Recently a dog and pony show was put on for the West Covina city council, who in response made positive noises but were in no rush to commit themselves monetarily. Meanwhile the San Bernardino Associated Governments (long a hotbed of Maglev mania) is poised to contribute $236,734 toward this boondoggle. Words fail me.

obscure entity of the month: Regional Integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems (http://www.riits.net); a partnership of MTA, Caltrans, CRA, LADOT, CHP, LAX, etc. to implement intelligent transportation systems (e.g. smart streets).

The Jan. issue of Wheel Clicks (newsletter of the Pacific Railroad Society) notes the transportation museum which was supposed to be located at the Pueblo across from Union Station is not going forward due to opposition from Olvera Street interests. Instead the Port of Los Angeles is hoping the federal grant for the stillborn project can be transferred to help pay for a combination carbarn and museum planned for the north end of the San Pedro Waterfront Red Car line. Meanwhile prompted by a report in a recent issue of the Downtown News I have learned the Red Car Project which Mr. George Eslinger made a presentation to us about some years ago is now being overseen by a partnership of the Los Angeles Conservancy and Central City Association. I hope at some point a progress report on this can be presented at one of our monthly meetings.