Become immortal: Name a train and win $500
OLDA.
It’s a word that may not inspire the passion needed to stoke taxpayers to support a multi-billion-dollar train project.
So the Orange Line Development Authority — OLDA — is looking for a new name.
And they’re willing to pay for it.
The train-building coalition of area cities will award $500 to the person who thinks of a catchier moniker for the train line.
“It’s a way to get a better name and to involve the community,” said Michael Kodama, the agency’s executive director.
The agency will also award $500 to the person who comes up with the best logo.
The prizes are sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Bellflower and the Sabor Colombiano restaurant in Los Angeles.
The contest is open to residents from Artesia, Bell, Bellflower, Cerritos, Cudahy, Downey, Glendale, Huntington Park, Maywood, Paramount, Santa Clarita, South Gate, Vernon.
The contest ends June 15.
OLDA is looking to build a train from Los Angeles to Santa Ana, with much of the route to be constructed on an abandoned Pacific Electric right of way that runs straight as an arrow from Lynwood to Santa Ana.
Planning agencies are mulling over a variety of proposals ranging from a $1 billion bus line to a $7 billion maglev, high-speed train. So far, a $3 billion light rail line seems most popular with potential commuters. If it is built, the train would like carry about 80,000 commuters each day. Funding would come by the agency competing for transportation grants.
OLDA has been trying to get a new name for months, but they haven’t had much luck in getting submissions so far.