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TRAVERSING LA - Metro's management has been deliberately and deceitfully lying to the public for years about this project. Finally, it has begun to peel the onion on the real costs involved--which they have been aware of all along. The numbers reflect the facts which I have enumerated in my prior emails--Metro's latest communication states that the preliminary cost for the project is $24.2 Billion Dollars (approximately $2B+ a mile) intentionally using misleading 2023 stale and outdated numbers--which means the real number per mile if ever built is closer to $3B+ a mile--and that's assuming construction would ever start--and that is 2 to 3 years away. This is a fact Metro's management knew in all prior meetings but purposely and by design refused to inform the public. (In the private sector, in my opinion, this would be known as fraud in the inducement). Metro also states and acknowledges that there will be a need for significantly more funding--at least 85%+ more. They have approximately $5B and will need at least an additional $30B to $35B to complete the project. Where is this additional funding supposed to come from? The City and State are both broke--and the feds under this administration have no intention of providing any funds. The weight of the cost of this project will ultimately sink it--not to mention the litigation that will keep this project from starting for even more years.
The real questions to be asked here is how can this happen? I will try and explain. It starts with no operative oversight by the Board which allows Metro to have no competent and effective leaders--let's be clear Stephanie, Nicole and Sharon are losers not leaders--and should not be in their present positions. Metro's Board is effectively useless---more interested in getting their 6-figure fee for serving than fulfilling their legal responsibilities of oversight. Metro employs people who are blithering idiots---Peter Carter is a perfect example of this. This grinning buffoon is more interested in not answering questions than being candid with the public. His comment that we do not look at cost because it can impact our judgment is an insult to everyone's intelligence. Considering the current state of our City's and State's economic conditions, the proper thought process should be how we can most effectively use the funds at our disposal to make the most expeditious solution. The days of unlimited funds are over--obviously this organization hasn't received the memo--not to mention Metro's performance as to safety and security for the riding public is abysmal. (Over the Christmas holidays, there were 2 vehicle and train crashes with 5 people hurt--not to mention the filthy conditions in many of Metro's Stations). The truth here is that all the rodents aren't in the tunnels--many occupy Metro executive positions.
In 2024 I had a meeting with our Mayor--who was taken aback when I told her that the real cost of this project would exceed $30B. She said that will never happen and a non-starter. Let's see if she remembers that discussion --and provides the leadership the city desperately needs--after all she has 4 seats on Metro's Board. In addition, in my last discussions with Kathryn Barger she voiced serious concerns about the cost of this project--and did not think they could be justified. One would hope she would do the right thing----and Metro's Board should remember their heads are not neck ornaments.
One last point before this communication ends--Ray Sosa (Project Manager) who I refer to as Ray "SoSo" (because it’s appropriate) needs to be mentioned-----this jerk testified in his deposition that the people are who live in Bel Air are only homeowners--so basically we have no rights and there is no need to consult with our community--notwithstanding in Metro's internal emails, Bel Air is clearly referred to as a stakeholder and Metro has been working with UCLA for the past 6 years--wow!! I am currently exploring options to see if I can find individual liability for him and see if he would enjoy being on the wrong side of litigation. To be clear, Bel Air is a stakeholder--and has not been treated as one. It might be appropriate to start exploring the option of enjoining the entire project and go back to square one.
It's time for our city to deal with truth, integrity and politicians who can exhibit real leadership. This might be one of the places to start.
Please read LA Metro Memo Here.
(Fredric D. Rosen is a retired businessman and former CEO of Ticketmaster, where he led the company for 16 years and transformed it into the world’s leading ticketing service. He has served on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards, offering leadership across both private enterprise and charitable initiatives. With decades of experience in business and civic engagement, Rosen brings a seasoned perspective to issues at the intersection of commerce, culture, and community.)
