More service, at least on the Orange County line, is planned in 2010, and some of this will be later. But, even that has been jeopardized by the State financial crisis.

Our beloved Governor and Legislature has stolen over 3 billion in constitutionally guaranteed transportation funding for transit in the last 5 years for other purposes. The transit operators sued the State, and it lost the Court case, and now has to repay the monies, and stop stealing it from the transportation accounts in the future. The State Supreme Court has upheld this decision, and now negotiations are underway to restore these funds, but after years of unconstitutional deficit-debt financing Kali-forrrnia is broke.

Even worse than the lack of available night or even early evening Metrolink service, is the poor availability and frequency of weekend and evening service on MTA's rail and bus network. If they ran such a poor level of night service in DC, San Francisco, or NYC, the politicos would be recalled. Angelenos are just used to getting excuses and lousy service from our politicians.

And, in far worse financial shape from State cuts than MTA are most of the suburban operators, like Orange County who have had to slash service massively. LA hasn't had to cut yet, because they are using Measure R sales tax funds, intended for "more transit service" in LA County, to "backfill" State cuts in funding. This is why ACE is also cutting midday services.

It is ironic that we have made, and are making, huge capital funds to build systems that we are unable to operate to optimal performance and public benefit. Something else to think about as the CHSRA high speed rail "money train" leaves the station, without a viable business or operating plan?