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Local businesses, residents and MTA clash over Wilshire Bus Rapid Transit study; Council keeps the issue in committee
Summary
Council heard sustained public opposition from Miracle Mile and Wilshire Center groups to MTA’s proposed Wilshire Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) dedicated busway; MTA and DOT urged study and said feasibility remains untested. Council did not withdraw the item from committee and directed transportation committee oversight.
Residents, business groups and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority clashed at the May 24 Los Angeles City Council meeting over MTA’s study of a Wilshire Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) dedicated busway.
More than a dozen speakers representing the Miracle Mile, Wilshire Center Business Improvement Corporation and area homeowner associations opposed the BRT proposal at a five-minute public hearing. They said a dedicated center busway would remove parking, eliminate left-turn lanes in places and damage recent streetscape investments. “Removing the islands, the curbside parking for a dedicated rapid bus lane will destroy over 13 years of community effort and beautification for the mile,” said Wally Marks, president of the Miracle Mile Civic Coalition.
MTA and city Department of Transportation staff told the council the proposal is at an early stage and that MTA is conducting environmental and feasibility studies. David Meager of MTA (MTA project staff) said MTA is studying multiple West Side corridors and that an identified pool of federal funds must be programmed for a West Side project or the funding would be reallocated elsewhere. DOT General Manager Francis Banerjee told the council it would be appropriate for the transportation committee to oversee study work and for the committee to require MTA and DOT to return with detailed information before the council takes action.
Councilmembers expressed differing views. Councilmember Holden and others said Wilshire is a major transit corridor that needs solutions; others, including Councilmember Walters and Councilmember Goldberg, said the Miracle Mile’s fragile economic recovery and recent streetscape investments counsel against a dedicated center busway there. After motions on the floor, the council voted against withdrawing the matter from the transportation committee (the withdrawal motion failed on a 7–7 vote), and the council left the item in committee for further study and committee oversight.
What the council asked for: DOT staff recommended—and several councilmembers supported—returning the proposal to the transportation committee for study and to require MTA to consult with affected cities (Beverly Hills and Santa Monica were repeatedly cited as necessary partners for a Wilshire-wide project). DOT advised that committee oversight should precede any city-level directive to MTA.
Outcome: The council did not adopt a blanket prohibition on BRT on Wilshire and did not authorize construction; instead it kept the matter in the transportation committee for additional study and directed staff to work with MTA and with committee members to develop conditions the council would want to see if the BRT proceeds.
The public record: MTA representatives urged that the council not oppose the MTA’s rapid bus program (a separate, near-term priority bus improvement slated to begin next summer) while studies proceed on whether a center-running BRT could be designed to preserve medians and parking. MTA staff said some of the study money already being spent could be at risk if project partners (other jurisdictions) decline to participate.
Next steps: The council directed that the transportation committee receive MTA and DOT study results and recommended community mitigation concepts before the council considers any formal position on a Wilshire BRT.
