Frederick Dennstedt []

A Metro Red Line train, photographed in January by Fred Camino of .

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — On Wednesday afternoon, a pair of motions that look to expand public transportation will be presented the same way: businesses want this service, and they want it so badly that they're willing to pay for it.

The two motions are before the city council's Transportation Committee. One deals with Downtown DASH, the other with extending hours on the Red Line subway. Both proposals will require private dollars to happen, and in both cases the message will be that those dollars are ready to be committed.

Councilwomen Jan Perry and Wendy Greuel authored the Downtown DASH motion, which asked DOT to report on the feasibility of extending service into the evening hours on Friday nights. As we reported one week ago, DOT will say that AEG and LA Inc. have approached the department about the creation of a route that would hit Downtown hotels and nightlife, anchored at the north by the Music Center and the south by L.A. Live. DOT is preparing cost numbers, and the process of getting private funds committed will commence once those numbers are ready.

The Red Line motion was moved by Councilmembers Eric Garcetti, Wendy Greuel, Jose Huizar and Jan Perry and seconded by Councilmember Tom LaBonge. It looks to set up a pilot program that would extend the subway's hours to 3am on weekend nights during the upcoming holiday season. Staff from Councilman Huizar's office said today that over $45,000 has already been committed to the program, which would cost from $95,000 (Fri/Sat) to $130,000 (Th/Fri/Sat).

Both programs are expected to have no shortage of speakers in support during Wednesday's meeting. Talk, after all, is cheap. That the two also seem to have a base of support willing to foot the bill is much more impressive.