About the editor: Your editorial about subway drivers needing safer trains and buses is certainly correct. Transit drivers are vulnerable while waiting at bus and train stations and on board. Clutter in trains and buses lets passengers know that no one is specifically responsible or liable for ensuring their safety.

In the 1990s, Metro’s board of directors made the unwise political decision to disband the dedicated MTA Transit Police Department in favor of a contractual relationship with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The lack of personnel specifically hired, trained and deployed to work in such an environment has contributed greatly to the problems of the LA transportation system recently reported in The Times. Bigger is not always better, and the specific needs of a traffic agency are not as well understood and addressed by a general law enforcement agency.

Metro’s Chief Safety Officer was quoted in your editorial by law enforcement officials as saying that “they won’t have a bus company telling them how to use their resources.” This statement clearly summarizes the problem.

Sharon Papa, Palos Verdes Estates The author is a retired MTA police chief…

About the editor: As a driver who has been commuting to work by subway since 2015, I have a suggestion that will quickly clean up the system and make it a pleasure to use:

Every member of Metro’s board of directors should be required to drive Metro to work every day.

Michael Lucas, Arcadia..

About the editor: I suspect LA has trespassing and loitering laws. I’ve been reading The Times for many years and I’ve never read a story where someone who broke a law was ever punished with music, as it seems in a subway station where classical music booms from the loudspeakers.

The trains and buses are publicly owned and mostly self-sustainable based on fares paid by passengers. They exist for all Angelenos. Lately, receipts have plummeted as hooligans threaten the safety of runaway drivers.

Is there nothing better than loud music to deter drug users or criminals from destroying our public transport and forcing people back into their cars? Big, more smog.

This situation is crazy. Laws must be respected and enforced, period. If we’re not careful, the only 2028 Olympic tourists you’ll see on the train are classical music enthusiasts.

Buzz Wolf, Studio City