Budget Message from the CEO
Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13) will be a great year for mobility in Los Angeles. Thanks toMeasure R, Metro will continue building on the most aggressive transportation programAmerica has seen in decades. Along with improving our existing highway and transitsystem, we are focused on expanding our transportation network in Los Angeles County.The proposed balanced budget of $4.5 billion for FY13 embraces all these challenges.We are committed to improving and enhancing the Metro bus and rail system. The budget has devotedalmost $1.5 billion for over 180 capital projects which includes $1.1 billion for Measure R projects. Theremaining $400 million is dedicated to maintain our transportation infrastructure in a state of good repair,which includes $278 million to reduce deferred maintenance of our existing capital assets.Specific goals in FY13 include providing new light rail service on the Expo Line between downtown LosAngeles and Culver City and an extension of the Orange Line busway to the Metrolink/Amtrak station inChatsworth. We will also augment the express bus service on the Harbor Transitway and the I-10 betweendowntown and El Monte as the Express Lanes congestion pricing demonstration project debuts. Moreover,we will be extending Metro Rail operating hours at night and providing trains more frequently.Construction will progress on the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension to Azusa and Expo Phase II from CulverCity to Santa Monica. Groundbreakings will signal the beginning of work on the Crenshaw/LAX light rail line,the Westside subway extension, and the Regional Connector.Planning will proceed for the Eastside transit corridor, the Airport Metro Connector and a new rapid transitoption in the San Fernando Valley.Highway projects will be in full swing from the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project to the High DesertCorridor, the SR-710 north gap closure and the widening or other enhancements on various stretches of the I-5, I-605, I-710 south, and SR-138. Efforts will continue to construct sound walls and implement our freewaybeautification program.There will be a renewed focus on customer service with a strong emphasis on reliability, cleanliness andcourtesy. Metro is purchasing hundreds of new buses and rail cars. We are committing significant resourcesto reduce deferred maintenance for our existing capital assets. Stations will be cleaner, safer, and there willbe better signage to make travel easier for our non-English speaking customers.We continue to remain focused on safety, security and Civil Rights compliance. In addition, we continue toinvest in our employees, by recruiting and training tomorrow’s workforce to allow for a smoother generationaltransition.All of the above will be accomplished within a balanced budget, made possible by maintaining tight controlover our expenses. In our continuing commitment to spend wisely and frugally, we continue to hold the lineon hiring new employees except those needed to operate new services, deliver Measure R projects and otherkey programs.Art LeahyChief Executive OfficerLos Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority