‘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: Jonny
Occupation: Information Technology
Location: Santa Monica

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

Daily – to work and to interesting destinations in the city (theater, beaches, museums, etc).

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

2

How long does your commute typically take?

15 – 20 minutes.

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?

$100 – $300

Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?

Bicycle, skate.

Why do you drive?

There’s no better alternative in L.A.’s Westside corridor

Your Perspective:

Why can’t/don’t you take transit?

It’s too slow. The buses stop too frequently and get gridlocked on congested streets.

Have you tried to use transit before? What was your experience?

Nearly every other city I’ve visited of L.A.’s size has a decent-to-amazing rail system. When I’m there I feel appreciation and envy when I’m home.

What could local transit agencies do to encourage you to take transit more often?

Build rail line(s) that terminate or have stops at mass gathering locations (the beach, airport terminals, museums, theaters, parks, etc). It baffles me that L.A. is so far behind the norm.

How do you feel about buses?

I probably wouldn’t ride a bus.

How do you feel about rail?

I’d ride rail if it there was a route that served my needs.

Given limited funds, how would you address L.A.’s transportation issues?

It was an incredible loss to lose the rail L.A. used to operate. We are long overdue for a dedicated rail line that moves people without being hindered by stop lights and crosswalks – it’s safer too. I’m an 11 year resident and have wasted just as many years in a car. I’d have hoped there would be a better alternative by now, but there still isn’t for us Westsiders and tourists alike.