MTA chief Roger Snoble said that if Measure R fails, the only mass transit projects that will be completed in the near future are the first phase of the Expo Line light rail from downtown to Culver City and perhaps the Canoga Avenue busway.
"I think we all need to look at a Plan B and get something [another financing plan] out there quickly," said John Fasana, an MTA board member who is opposed to Measure R because he believes it doesn't provide enough assurances that the money would be spent as planned.
He believes that if Measure R fails, leaders from across the county could quickly reconvene and come up with a plan that they could take to voters as early as next year if a special election is called to deal with the state's multibillion-dollar budget shortfall.
Feuer said he thinks this election offers the best opportunity to pass Measure R because the presidential election will probably bring many people to the polls who are also sympathetic to mass transit.
"This electorate is unique and particularly well-informed," Feuer said. "And it's these new voters who are interested in taking much of the transit that would be built by Measure R."
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steve.hymon@latimes.com