Category Archives: Metro Lifestyle

Why You Don't Ride: T.L., Downtown L.A.

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Why You Ride (or Don't)‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: T.L.
Occupation: Service industry
Location: Downtown L.A.

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

To work 5 days a week. Also to night life, plays, MOCA and sporting events.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Downtown to Westside.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

1

How long does your commute typically take?

An hour, maybe an hour and a half.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I hate it. There has to be a better way.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

More than $500

Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?

Red Line.

Why do you drive?

Convenience, since I travel long distances. It would be great if I could reach UCLA from Downtown on transit.

Continue reading →

Why You Ride: Gordon W, Monrovia

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Why You Ride (or Don't)‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Gordon W.
Occupation: CIO
Location: Monrovia

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

Usually 5 days a week to go back and forth to work.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Monrovia to Woodland Hills.

What lines/routes do you take?

I park at the Sierra Madre Villa Gold Line Station and take the train to Memorial Park. I then get Commuter Express line 549 to Ventura and Woodley, then I take either the 750 or the 150 to De Soto.

How long does it typically take?

It usually takes 1.75 hours in the morning, and 2 hours in the afternoon

Briefly, how would you describe your typical transit experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I deal with it.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$100 – $300

Why do you take transit?

After driving from Monrovia to Woodland Hills for 20 years, I finally got tired of the traffic on the 210 Freeway in the afternoon. Using public transportation takes longer driving, but the reduction in stress is well worth it.

Continue reading →

Why You Don't Ride: RFQ, Downey

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Why You Ride (or Don't)‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: RFQ
Occupation: Not employed
Location: Downey

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

Three to five times a week to take sibling to doctor appointments and mother to grocery store.  Two or three times a month to Fullerton Amtrak Station to watch trains.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Home to USC University Hospital.   Less than a mile to grocery store. Downey to Fullerton Amtrak Station.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

1

How long does your commute typically take?

No commute.   12 miles to USC Hospital.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I love it!

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$100 – $300

Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?

Bus.

Why do you drive?

Time saving. Convenient.  There are three things that I think are finite:  Time, Money and Petroleum.  The time saved and the ease of use makes it inevitable. If you go grocery shopping with someone over 80 years old once a week, do you really think you can walk or take a bus?

Continue reading →

Why You Ride: "Lazyoldtabby", San Gabriel Valley

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Why You Ride (or Don't)‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: “Lazyoldtabby”
Occupation: Web site developer
Location: San Gabriel Valley

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

Five days a week to work.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Covina or Industry Metrolink station to Mariposa/Nash Green Line station in El Segundo.

What lines/routes do you take?

Metrolink San Bernardino or Riverside line, Red/Purple line, 405X, and the Green Line. Occasionally I take the Purple Line and the 720/920 to Beverly Hills.

How long does it typically take?

1 hour 2o minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical transit experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I deal with it.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$100 – $300

Why do you take transit?

Transit takes about the same time as freeway during peak hours, but cost less.

Continue reading →

Destination Discounts Weekly Picks

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Sure, riding Metro saves you from the stress of traffic, reduces your environmental impact and lowers your monthly transportation costs – but did you know it also entitles you to a bunch of great deals around L.A.? That’s what Destination Discounts is all about – and The Source is here to make sure you don’t miss out.  Every week we’ll highlight our favorite deals from Metro’s local partners – destinations, sporting events, concerts, museums, theme parks, shops and more – and provide all the info you need to take advantage of these offers.

Family Friendly

Downtown Culver City Block PartiesSave at Downtown Culver City Summer Block Parties
Taste food from award-winning restaurants, listen to the sound of live music, shop and sample one-of-a-kind boutiques, and visit numerous art galleries.
Dates: Wednesday, August 18, 5-9pm. Every third Wednesday of the month, through October 20.
Discount: Discounts change monthly, so be sure to visit downtownculvercity.com for up-to-date discounts.
Restrictions: None.
How to get it: Show your valid Metro pass, Metro rail ticket or TAP card.
Where: Downtown Culver City
Nearby Metro Bus Stops:  Venice/Overland (33, 733)

Sustainability

LAXCarShareSave on LAXCarShare Application and Membership Fees
Reduce your carbon footprint with the help of LAXCarShare, a private carsharing company that provides LA residents with alternative transportation options. LAXCarShare offers vehicles for rent, where its members only pay to use, not to own. It’s as simple as join, reserve, drive and return.
Dates: Ongoing
Discount: Save 20% off $25 application fee and $5 off Membership fee.
Restrictions: None.
How to get it: Enter Promotional code “Metro” at LAXCarShare.com.
Where: LAXCarShare has six locations all served by Metro.

Dining (check out our Dining Map for a full list of deals)

Birrieria Jalisco15% off entire bill Birrieria Jalisco
Enjoy Mexican cuisine with the authentic flavor of Guadalajara at Birrieria Jalisco, located ½ a block off the Metro Gold Line Mariachi Plaza Station in Boyle Heights. Be sure to try their house specialty, birria, a favorite for more than 35 years.
Discount: 15% off entire bill
Restrictions: None.
How to get it: Show your valid Metro pass, Metro rail ticket or TAP card to the cashier.
Where: 1845 East 1st St.
Nearby Rail: Gold Line Mariachi Plaza

Streetsblog L.A. tackles "Why You Don't Ride"

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This week over at Streetsblog L.A. our “Why You Ride (or Don’t)” survey series became the center of a heated discussion when the blog proposed that respondents who drive are likely underestimating their monthly transportation costs (perhaps in part due to the way we asked the question).

In our “Why You Don’t Ride” survey we asked non-transit riders (in other words, drivers), “On average, what do you spend each month on transportation? (Including gasoline, maintenance, parking, tolls, insurance, etc.)”

We gave respondents four choices:

  • Less than $50
  • $50 – $100
  • $100 – $300
  • $300 – $500
  • More than $500

Here’s a look at the answers we’ve received:

Monthly transportation costs? (non-transit riders)

As you can see, the majority said they spend $100-$300 each month, and only a minority report spending more than that. Do these numbers seem realistic when you include all the many costs of car ownership? Continue reading →

Why You Don't Ride: R.B., Pasadena

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Why You Ride (or Don't)‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: R.B.
Occupation: Programmer
Location: Pasadena

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

Monday through Friday to work.

2-3 times a week to meet up with my running club.

Occasionally at other times to friends’ homes or shopping.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Commute to Glendale 5 days a week.

Once a week to the Rose Bowl.

Once a week to Griffith Park.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

1

How long does your commute typically take?

15 minutes.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I deal with it.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$100 – $300

Why do you drive?

Convenient.

Continue reading →

Why You Ride: Jonathan, Studio City

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Why You Ride (or Don't)‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Jonathan
Occupation: Government
Location: Studio City

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

I take transit every weekday to work.  I take transit on weekends when convenient, particularly if I am going to Hollywood.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

I most often travel from work to home.

What lines/routes do you take?

I take the Red Line most often, but also the Purple Line, 720, 750, 20, 50, 704, 4 and 2.

How long does it typically take?

My daily commute is 20 minutes on the Red Line, from Universal to 7th/Figueroa.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical transit experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I love it!

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$100 – $300

Why do you take transit?

I take transit to save money, avoid having to find parking, help the environment, reduce stress, avoid traffic and for exercise (I ride my bike to the station).

Continue reading →

Go Metro Weekends, Sept. 10-12

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Have an event you’d like us to include? Shoot us an email at thesource@metro.net. Time and space constraints limit us from listing every accessible event in this city, but this curated list represents what we think is cool and easy to get to.

To plan your trip and to check all other transit options, please consult Google Transit or the Metro Trip Planner.


Blue = Friday, Red = Saturday, Green = Sunday. View Go Metro Weekends, September 10-12 in a larger map

Friday, September 10

DESTINATION DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
Walking With Dinosaurs
Marvel at the unprecedented size and quality of these creatures as you see them walk and hear them roar.
Website: http://dinosaurlive.com/
When: September 10-12
Price: Show your valid Metro pass, Metro Rail ticket or TAP card at the STAPLES Center Box Office and save $10 off tickets regularly priced $79, $59 and $39.
Where: Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St.
Nearby Metro Rail: Blue Line Pico Station
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Figueroa/Pico (81, 442, 445, 460, 701, 721, Silver Line), Olympic/Figueroa (28, 728)

DESTINATION DISCOUNT AVAILABLE
L.A. Greek Fest
Experience the fun and excitement of the Greek Islands without leaving L.A.
Website: http://www.lagreekfest.com/
When: September 10-12
Price: Show your valid Metro pass, Metro Rail ticket or TAP card at the box office and get $1 off admission.
Where: Saint Sophia’s Cathedral, 1324 S. Normandie Ave.
Nearby Metro Bus Stops: Normandie/Pico (30, 206, 730), Normandie/Venice (33, 206, 733)

2010 L.A. County Fair
This HUGE annual fair includes entertainment, concerts, attractions and competitions.
Website: http://www.lacountyfair.com/2010/
When: September 4, 10am-12am; September 5, 10am-10pm; September 6, 10am-10pm
Price: $17
Where:  Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Nearby Rail: On Saturday and Sunday Metrolink is adding a L.A. County Fair stop on the San Bernardino Line. Click here for schedule.

The Original Long Beach Lobster Festival
Combining the best Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans sounds of music, tons of fresh crawfish prepared Louisiana style and served by authentic Cajun chefs, giant food court, children’s area, dance floor, two stages and beach bars to create the largest Crawfish Festival outside of Louisiana.
Website: http://www.originallobsterfestival.com/
 When: September 10-12
Price: $15
Where: Rainbow Lagoon Park
Nearby Metro Rail: Blue Line 1st Street Station

The rest of this weekend’s events, after the jump. Continue reading →

Why You Don't Ride: Karl, Hollywood

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Why You Ride (or Don't)‘Why You Ride (or Don’t Ride)‘ is a series where you, our faithful readers, share your transportation routines in L.A. and your thoughts on how to make things better – read more about the concept here.

Want to share your story? Take the survey here if you ride transit regularly, or take this one if you don’t ride.

Who You Are:

Name: Karl
Occupation: Business owner
Location: Hollywood

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

Almost everyday, mostly for work.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

House to work and vice-versa.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

2

How long does your commute typically take?

30 minutes.

Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I deal with it.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$100 – $300

Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?

Nope.

Why do you drive?

Convenient and fast.

Continue reading →