‘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.