‘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: Angel
Occupation: Broadcast Ops
Location: Santa Clarita

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

Weekdays to and from work.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Santa Clarita to Hollywood/Los Angeles area.

What lines/routes do you take?

Santa Clarita NoHo Express 757 bus to North Hollywood and then the Red Line Subway to Sunset Vermont.

How long does it typically take?

90 Minutes.

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 was Metrolink rider since 1994 – I’m a New Yorker by birth and transit is in our blood.  I switched over to the bus last September when they offered it and it cuts 1/2 hour off my commute because I don’t have to ride into downtown to get to the Hollywood area. Plus it costs about $100 less.  So I’m still being environmentally conscious while saving myself money.  I loved the train and miss it, but the bus is working out just fine.

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

If we are going into LA, chances are I will take some form of public transportation.  Example: parking at North Hollywood and then taking the Red Line into Downtown.  Recently we went to LA Live and used the Red Line and the Blue Line.  If we’re going to the airport, we always use public transportation – I love the Fly Away bus.

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

Nope, Santa Clarita is a very hard place to get around via the bus or bike, especially in some of the Mountain areas.  So I drive, mostly to run my weekend errands.

Your Perspective:

If you could make one change to improve your transit experience, what would it be?

Real time arrival info, especially when waiting for the bus at North Hollywood Station.

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

Personally, I would love to see some of our Freeways fixed. We are probably the worst for road repair.  I would love to see additional lanes added at major choke points.

I’ve been having a thought recently as I drove the 210 in the Sunland area: why can’t we somehow connect the 210 and the I-5 somewhere there.  So if we have a sig alert, there could be possible movement around the incident.  I have no idea of the topography, but it seems that there is at least one place where a road might be able to be built.

Do you think L.A. transit is better or worse since you started riding? What’s changed?

Absolutely better.  I had to drive the first 14 years I worked.  I love not having to commute daily via car.

How would you encourage Angelenos to use transit?

I would bet that 90% of the people who live outside the central part of LA don’t even know we have a subway.  I know that most in Santa Clarita are woefully ignorant of that fact.  Get more in their face via media and let them know that there are options beyond their cars.