‘Why I Ride‘ is a series where Metro employees share their transit routines – read more about the concept here.

Name: Claudia Casasola
Position: Senior Auditor

How often do you take transit?

Everyday to work, sometimes on weekends for leisure.

What lines/routes?

Metrolink San Bernardino Line and Metro Red Line.

Are you car-free? If so, why? If not, why not?

Not completely. I live in the suburbs, so very few places are at walking/biking distance.

Do you use any other alternative transportation (bicycle, rideshare, etc)?

Bicycle sometimes, walk most of the time.

Do you think being a regular Metro rider is important to your job?

Yes it is! You experience first hand what it means to ride public transportation and that way you can encourage friends and family to also give it a try.

Why do you love transit?

I get to read, study, listen to music, people watch, relax, catch some much needed zzzz’s and most importantly: I don’t have to deal with traffic, car expenses and the stress of driving.

Is there anything else you’d like to add (anecdote, advice, etc)?

My children also ride the bus to college. For them it’s great because it’s just a short walk to the bus stop. For me it’s great because besides helping the environment by not driving a car, we save on gas, parking fees and they get to exercise!

‘Why I Ride‘ is a series where Metro employees share their transit routines – read more about the concept here.

Name: Andres F. Di Zitti
Position: Administrative Intern for the San Fernando Vally/North County Area Planning Team

How often do you take transit?

Five to six times a week.

What lines/routes?

My daily work commute takes place on the Orange Line from my home in the Western San Fernando Valley to the Red Line that leaves me just feet from Metro headquarters. When I’m in a hurry or don’t feel like sitting 1.5 hours I will take the Metrolink from the Chatsworth Station.

Are you car-free? If so, why? If not, why not?

I try to be as much as possible. The nearest bus stop from my house is about 1.5 miles away and to get to the Orange Line I’m about another 5 miles away, or 2 connecting buses. Currently my commute takes me an hour and a half each way to get to work so to spend more time out of my day isn’t desirable.

Do you use any other alternative transportation (bicycle, rideshare, etc)?

I have a bike but use is mostly for recreation. I also used to carpool to the Canoga Orange Line Station with another intern that used to work in our building but unfortunately he no longer does.

Do you think being a regular Metro rider is important to your job?

I think it is absolutely essential, especially for us planners. It’s easy to sit in a cubicle and draw lines on a map but the reality is that the best planners know what they are planning both inside and out. Does it make sense to have a vegetarian butcher or an illiterate teacher? Not so much – so why should our agency be any different? Especially when you consider that Metro headquarters at One Gateway Plaza is probably the most transit accessible building in L.A. County where nearly every line terminates.

Why do you love transit?

I love passing cars stuck in traffic on Victory Blvd while I’m on the Orange Line. I love riding the Gold Line over the stalled 101 freeway. I love making it from NoHo to downtown L.A. in about 25 minutes on the Red Line. And I love all of the great stories I get to tell my friends about my commute.

Is there anything else you’d like to add (anecdote, advice, etc)?

Using public transit isn’t as bad as people think. It’s just about kicking a “door-to-door car-habit”. All it takes is a bit of planning and patience to use mass transit efficiently.

‘Why I Ride‘ is a series where Metro employees share their transit routines – read more about the concept here.

Name: Joe Simpson
Position: Metro.net Webmaster

How often do you take transit?

Every weekday for the last 19 years I’ve worked for Metro.

What lines/routes?

I’ve used multiple modes to commute to work during my 19 years with Metro – local and limited bus, light rail and commuter rail service. In the beginning, I took Line 20 from mid-Wilshire, Line 439 from Culver City, Blue Line from Long Beach and for the past 15 years, Metrolink (Antelope Valley Line) everyday.

Are you car-free? If so, why? If not, why not?

My only current car time during the week is driving to the Newhall Metrolink station. I try to avoid using auto on weekends. My car is 14 years old and I’m trying my best not to purchase another vehicle if possible.

Do you use any other alternative transportation (bicycle, rideshare, etc)?

I frequently use the GREAT bike paths in the Santa Clarita Valley on weekends with my family.

Do you think being a regular Metro rider is important to your job?

Being with Metro (and originally for Michigan where traffic is far less problematic), I really see it as a quality of life issue. My life is much worse when I’m stuck in traffic – I’m unhappier, more stressed and stuck. On Metrolink, I’m connected to the office and make website updates or work projects in transit. I’m much more efficient. Los Angeles is such a great place – I hate seeing mountains covered in brown smog and there is limited space for more freeway lanes.

Why do you love transit?

Being able to draw or use my laptop. I’ve met so many GREAT folks on the train – from lawyers, world travelers, Laker parade-goers, even the Coroner for LA County or the gentleman responsible for plants along the freeway system. It has enriched my day-to-day.

Is there anything else you’d like to add (anecdote, advice, etc)?

One of my most vivid pictures of my commute is coming out of the AV tunnel (below the I-5/14 split), looking out the window on the left with the aqueduct as a backdrop but seeing tons of vehicles bumper to bumper in both directions. How can anyone do that EVERYDAY?

‘Why I Ride‘ is a series where Metro employees share their transit routines – read more about the concept here.

Name: Jody Litvak
Position: Community Relations Manager

How often do you take transit?

It depends.  My job requires me to be out in the community and sometimes I just have to drive if I’ve got a lot of back to back meetings.  But I’m especially grumpy if I have to drive more than 2 days a week.

What lines/routes?

You mean until the subway is built?  That’s an interesting question since they just discontinued what had been my regular Commuter Express bus.  I’m experimenting with a different Commuter Express route which takes a bit longer.  But, I live near UCLA so I actually have a lot of options coming from downtown. I can also take the Metro Purple Line and transfer to Metro’s 720/920 on Wilshire to Westwood Village. I can find a way to get home from there.

Are you car-free? If so, why? If not, why not?

Let’s just say not yet.  It’s something to aspire to.

Do you use any other alternative transportation (bicycle, rideshare, etc)?

I should walk more but that’s really about fitness.

Do you think being a regular Metro rider is important to your job?

Of course.  It informs what I do every single day.

Why do you love transit?

I’m about to have two kids in college so saving money is my top reason at the moment. But I think my time on transit is usually more productive than when I’m driving.

Is there anything else you’d like to add (anecdote, advice, etc)?

Here is a story about my husband who is not a transit guy.  One day, out of the blue, after our oldest left for college, he commented that perhaps we really only needed one car since I take transit so often and we’re not far from the Zip Car locations at UCLA.  First, I looked closely to make sure he hadn’t been abducted by aliens.  Then I realized that there may be hope for him yet.

‘Why I Ride‘ is a series where Metro employees share their transit routines – read more about the concept here.

Name: Doug Goodwin
Position: Web Developer

How often do you take transit?

5.5 days per week.

What lines/routes?

Gold line, Red line and Rapid 704 (express to the beach).

Are you car-free? If so, why? If not, why not?

Nope. I need my truck to keep my house repaired.

Do you use any other alternative transportation (bicycle, rideshare, etc)?

I love my folding bike.

Do you think being a regular Metro rider is important to your job?

Hmm, important? I think of it more as a great perk.

Why do you love transit?

As Amtrak used to remind us, ‘There’s something about a train…’

Is there anything else you’d like to add (anecdote, advice, etc)?

Give me NextBus if you really want me to give up my car!

‘Why I Ride‘ is a series where Metro employees share their transit routines – read more about the concept here.

Name: Elizabeth Bain
Position: Senior Designer, Creative Services

How often do you take transit?

Almost daily.

What lines/routes?

Metrolink – Ventura, Antelope Valley, Burbank Airport and sometimes Amtrak. When I’m downtown I use Metro Rail (Red Line and Gold Line) and the Dash.

Are you car-free? If so, why? If not, why not?

No. I live on a hill away from stores, etc. I have to do errands and see art. I have to take a car to the rail station.

Do you think being a regular Metro rider is important to your job?

Yes. Absolutely. We need to know how things work, who is riding and what they like and/or dislike about their ride.

Why do you love transit?

It’s fast. My commute is 10 carefree minutes. I get some exercise walking.

Is there anything else you’d like to add (anecdote, advice, etc)?

I go all over LA. I’d use transit more often if the connections between bus and rail were better and some lines were safer. As more lines are built, we’ll be able to go all over the city easily and faster.

‘Why I Ride‘ is a series where Metro employees share their transit routines – read more about the concept here.

Name: Steve Jaffe
Position: Finance Manager, Office of Management and Budget

How often do you take transit?

Five days a week to and from work.

What lines/routes?

Most days I walk from home toward the closest bus stop for Route 156. If I get to the stop more than 5 minutes before the bus is due, I continue walking to the intersection near the Orange Line Valley College Station, where I board whichever of the 156, 902 or Orange Line buses arrive first, then ride to North Hollywood Station. Then it’s the Red Line to Union Station and work.

Most days the trip home is the reverse order. However I frequently exit the red Line at Universal City Station and ride a Metro rapid westbound on Ventura to meet my wife for dinner.

Are you car-free? If so, why? If not, why not?

I am not car free yet because there are places I like to go that are less convenient by bus. For example, I am an avid golfer. My equipment is heavy and bulky, and lots of golf courses not easily accessible by transit. I am also a weekend chauffeur and errand runner. If I had to, I could find businesses on transit routes, and make more and smaller shopping trips, but those things are easier with a car.

What is your job at Metro?

My job involves spending days at a time looking at spreadsheets and data about Metro.

Do you think being a regular Metro rider is important to your job?

Personal experience as a transit rider is not essential to my work in the Office of Management and Budget, although I think using the product informs my decision making. I have a regular group of friends from my morning commute, who are more than happy to share their experiences and opinions about our service. Riding with and hearing from them is a constant reminder that our job is about public service.

Why do you love transit?

As a child I was fascinated by anything with wheels. My parents have pictures of my brother and I as young kids. In one picture of my brother in our back yard, he is surrounded with every kind of ball and sports equipment. In a similar picture of me, I am surrounded by every kind of toy car, truck, bus or plane.

As a teenager, I would ride RTD buses from my home in Monterey Park, and transfer in Downtown LA to 424 or 425 bus to spend weekends with friends who lived in Tarzan and Woodland Hills. I loved the independence. I loved people watching. I loved the adventure.

As an adult, I have chosen a career in transit. Frankly I can bore the heck out of any of my friends who make the mistake of asking me about transit. I ride to save money, hassles from traffic, and maybe (overly dramatic) the planet.

Is there anything else you’d like to add (anecdote, advice, etc)?

Introducing friends and family to transit can be tricky.  In my experience, it works best when you make it fun and social.

‘Why I Ride‘ is a series where Metro employees share their transit routines – read more about the concept here.

Name: Timothy Porter
Position: Gold Line Maintenance Supervisor

How often do you take transit?

Tuesday through Saturday.

What lines/routes?

I ride Metrolink from Rialto to Union Station and ride a Gold Line train from Union Station to the Gold Line rail yard along the L.A. river, just east of Chinatown.

Are you car-free? If so, why? If not, why not?

I drive a GMC Yukon back and forth from my home in Bloomington to the Rialto Metrolink station (about 3.5 miles). Unfortunately, if one of my tenants has a problem, they won’t let me take my ladder and tools on the bus.

What is your job at Metro?

I work 3rd shift as the maintenance supervisor at the Metro Gold Line

Do you think being a regular Metro rider is important to your job?

Riding the Metro trains gives me the opportunity to talk to the operators, get feedback on how well we are serving their needs, and it gives me the chance to see how our riding patrons are enjoying the ride. I can also feel the ride quality, see if we are meeting goals for cleanliness, and develop action plans for correcting or improving our performance.

Why do you love transit?

The up side is that riding the train in to and out of L.A. takes all the stress out of the commute. The only down side is that on Saturday and Sunday mornings, I’m stuck in L.A. until the first Metrolink train rolls out, Saturday at 7am and Sunday at 9am. Despite the small disadvantage, it still beats driving.

Is there anything else you’d like to add (anecdote, advice, etc)?

I met a really interesting fellow on the morning Metrolink train. He is a special-needs patron and he is a walking, talking transit schedule library. Whenever another patron has a question about how to get somewhere using transit, he can tell the person at which station to debark, which line to take and at what time it arrives, where to transfer, if applicable, and so on. He innately knows the schedules for Metro, Omni, Torrance, Montebello and Foothill. He himself is car-free by necessity, but he copes by riding his bicycle everywhere, or taking his bike on whatever transit will permit it.

‘Why I Ride‘ is a series where Metro employees share their transit routines – read more about the concept here.

Name: Marc Littman
Position: Public Relations Manager

How often do you take transit?

Every weekday I ride the bus and subway to work and back. I often take my special needs son riding Metro on weekends to familiarize him with public transit.

What lines/routes?

I mostly take an LADOT Commuter Express Bus from the SF Valley and transfer to the subway downtown. Sometimes coming home I take the subway to the Orange Line and transfer to the Metro 734 or 234 and the 158.

Are you car-free? If so, why? If not, why not?

I do have an older car. I need one because of my son and the need to quickly access medical care.

Do you use any other alternative transportation (bicycle, rideshare, etc)?

I walk a lot.

What is your job at Metro?

I manage the Public Relations Department but I have been a frequent bus rider in Los Angeles for more than 40 years. I also am a lifelong member of the Sierra Club so reducing my carbon footprint matches my personal philosophy of safeguarding the environment.

Do you think being a regular Metro rider is important to your job?

Sure. When I worked in PR at Magic Mountain I rode the roller coasters even though they scared the heck out of me because how can you promote a product or service if you don’t use it?

Why do you love transit?

I love dozing off on the bus after a hard day at work so I can catch a few zzzz’s before my Blackberry rouses me.

Is there anything else you’d like to add (anecdote, advice, etc)?

Often if you are a regular rider, you meet the same people everyday on your commute and enjoy their camaraderie. It’s also great to save money on gas and other driving expenses. I only buy a car once every 10 years or longer.

‘Why I Ride‘ is a series where Metro employees share their transit routines – read more about the concept here.

Name: Nathan Baird
Position: Bike Program Intern

How often do you take transit?

Six to seven days a week.

What lines/routes?

The Gold Line the most often, but also the Red Line. When I was in school, the Silver Line & the 184/190 at least two days a week (out to Cal Poly Pomona). As a Pasadena resident, I frequently take advantage of the 780 Rapid to get to Glendale, Griffith Park, and Hollywood adjacent destinations. I also take Metrolink now and then. Occasionally I even take the 460 to visit my grandparents in Anaheim.

Are you car-free? If so, why? If not, why not?

I got rid of my car in November 2006. Almost four years later, I’ve put myself through graduate school with the savings, had a lot more time to read, and have been a much happier person due to not having to deal with a daily car commute and all its hassles.

Do you use any other alternative transportation (bicycle, rideshare, etc)?

I work with the Metro Bike Program, so I’m obviously a big fan of bike-transit integration: taking my bike with me on rail and buses, parking my bike at stations and stops, etc.

Do you think being a regular Metro rider is important to your job?

Yes. It’s incredibly important to understanding how Metro policies work in everyday life.

Is there anything else you’d like to add (anecdote, advice, etc)?

Here’s one quick tip: the new Metro bike maps includes Rapid Bus route info. They’re marked with a dashed gray line and a number indicating the line number.