Court oversight of the LAMTA, part of a ten year old settlement of a landmark civil rights lawsuit, will be will end after a federal judge rules that the agency, which has spent more than $1 billion to improve bus service, had complied with the agreement.
"While transit officials pledged Wednesday to maintain the improved service, advocates for bus riders said they would monitor the agency for any cuts in countywide operations. They had sought to extend the decree until the agency was in full compliance."
"[Some] fear that without the court's watchful eye, transit officials will return to neglecting the county's heavily used bus system to build and operate expensive subway and light-rail lines through more affluent neighborhoods."
"Still, bus riders have benefited from the consent decree. 'Overcrowding is still excessive,' said attorney Connie Rice, who also represents bus riders. 'It's better than it was 10 years ago.'"
FULL STORY: Court oversight of L.A. transit services lifted

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