‘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: RW
Occupation: Architect
Location: La Mirada

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

Every weekday to travel from home in La Mirada to work in Hollywood.

What lines/routes do you take?

Metrolink from the Buena Park Station to Union Station, then transfer to the Red Line to Hollywood/Vine Station.

How long does it typically take?

52 – 60 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?

$300 – $500

Why do you take transit?

Saves money, keeps wear and tear down on my car, keeps me out of stressful traffic and reduces my carbon emissions.

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

Bicycling.

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

No, but most of my travel takes place on Metrolink/Red Line.  Living in L.A., it’s just unfeasible to not have a car to go shopping, go to the beach, etc. if you don’t want to deal with the slow bus system.

Your Perspective:

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

Transfers should be free (not a factor for me personally since I have a Metrolink pass) and rail needs to extend to the Westside to make that area reachable.

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

More rail and more Rapid buses with dedicated lanes

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

I’ve only lived here for a little over four years, but it does seem to be getting better.  I just moved from Venice, where having dental work done was preferable to taking the bus, but in a strange turn of events, now living further away from work makes taking public transit work for me.

How would you encourage Angelenos to use transit?

Have advertising with real stories like these, with people describing how they save money, reduce stress, save the environment, etc. by taking public transit.