Southern California Rapid Transit

Auditors have found that mismanagement of a huge and growing volume of injury and accident claims against the RTD is costing the district millions and the "situation could be literally out of control" unless corrected soon. Contradicting earlier audit findings and statements by RTD officials that gave the district's insurance adjuster high marks, the new report outlines a series of management deficiencies at Leonard J. Russo Insurance Services Inc.

Auditors have found that mismanagement of a huge and growing volume of injury and accident claims against the RTD is costing the district millions and the "situation could be literally out of control" unless corrected soon. Contradicting earlier audit findings and statements by RTD officials that gave the district's insurance adjuster high marks, the new report outlines a series of management deficiencies at Leonard J. Russo Insurance Services Inc.

Commuters riding the Metrolink train to downtown will have to take a shuttle bus to the Van Nuys train stop for at least six months after the service begins Oct. 26 due to lack of parking space there, Los Angeles city transportation officials said Tuesday. The shuttle bus from a lot half a mile away will operate for up to a year because the city has yet to purchase land for a parking lot next to the stop, they said.

Three students in the Pasadena Unified School District have won $100 each in a poster contest, "Transit in the Future," sponsored by the Southern California Rapid Transit District and Pasadena's municipal cable station 55 KPAS. The winners are Christian Arias, Webster Elementary School; Xochitt Paez, Wilson Middle School, and Tedra Johnson, Pasadena High School.

Five people were injured when a Southern California Rapid Transit District bus rear-ended a stake-bed truck in Monterey Park this morning, authorities said. In addition to the driver of each vehicle, three of the 28 passengers aboard the bus were injured slightly.

The day after Thanksgiving is also a holiday for many. Closed Today: City, county and state offices, courts and libraries. Open Today: Federal courts and offices, post offices, banks, stock and commodity exchanges. Southern California Rapid Transit District buses will follow regular schedules.

New Los Angeles City Councilman Nate Holden, citing his responsibilities, announced that he is stepping down from the Southern California Rapid Transit District board. Holden, an appointee of Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, said he will be replaced by Kenneth R. Thomas, chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Sentinel.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted today to ask the county grand jury to expand its probe of the Southern California Rapid Transit District to include possible criminal activities. The request, proposed by Supervisor Mike Antonovich, was prompted by longstanding public and press criticism of the district.