The Los Angeles MTA is almost definitely screwed, and Muni and BART could be next. Over the last 20 years, all three made AIG-related deals wherein the transit authorities sold their equipments and facilities to investors and then leased them back. It's a common practice, or was before AIG went down the tubes. If those deals go sour, "the potential is pretty horrendous across the industry" according to a transit trade group. And when money gets cut, the first thing to go? Service, of course. [LA Times]For more stories from Curbed SF, go to sf.curbed.com.
Copyright CURBS
