Here’s a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

One Seat Ride to the Beach or to LAX? (The Pink Line)

Dan Wentzel’s blog The Pink Line looks at the reality of the MOS-4 alternative for the Westside Subway Extension – a proposed spur that links the Red Line in Hollywood to the Purple Line in Beverly Hills along Santa Monica Boulevard. While a great proposition, Wentzel says that the funding is simply not there for it. In the face of this budgetary reality, Wentzel offers three alternatives for supporters of MOS-4: 1) continue to lobby for the subway extension in hopes that funding will appear; 2) forget the subway extension and lobby for the Crenshaw Line to connect with Hollywood, although that doesn’t have any funding; 3) lobby for a streetcar that runs down Santa Monica Boulevard.

Expo Line’s Path To Service By Next Summer Still Not Clear (Neon Tommy)

This well researched article should be renamed “everything you ever wanted to know about the Expo Line but didn’t know to ask.” Accompanied by interactive infographics, the article looks at the past, present and future of the Expo Line – from funding to the opposition due to safety issues.

10 principles for livable transportation (SustainableCitiesCollective)

A look at a few common sense but rarely applied (at least in this country) urban planning principles that if applied, would make our cities environmentally sustainable, easier to navigate, safer and all around more enjoyable places to live. Smart stuff that seems to be easier said than done.

Metro Fares To Go Up July 1st – Protest Group Vows To Fight Metro Fare Hike (San Fernando Valley Sun)

Yes, it’s true, Metro’s fares are going up this Thursday. The one-way fare is going up 25 cents to $1.50 and monthly passes are increasing by $13 to $75. I don’t think anyone is every happy when the cost of anything goes up, but the Bus Riders Union (BRU) are especially upset about the fare increase and plan to continue to protest – including refusing to pay the new fares. Metro officials note that Metro’s fares are among the lowest of any major transit system in the U.S. (see our previous post with comparison charts) and that the agency has endured its fare share of pain in attempting to fix the budget crisis – 500 employees have been laid off.

The Misery Starts as NY Transit Cuts Go Into Effect (Mobilizing the Region)

They say misery loves company, so in the face of upcoming Metro fare increases and Metro’s recent bus schedule shake-up it’s important to keep in mind that Metro isn’t the only transit agency making difficult choices. In fact, many transit riders in other cities across the nation are facing much more dire cuts in service. Take New York City – in Long Island riders saw 11 of their bus lines completely canceled and NYC MYA subway and bus riders are facing commutes that are 15-20 minutes longer thanks to vast cuts in service and route adjustments.