‘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.

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

None.

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

I am not car-free. I need to drive to the Sierra Madre Villa Station.

Your Perspective:

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

Have Metro fund the TAP card for all LA county transportation providers, and create a day pass good on all LA county transportation providers.

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

I would like to see more rail lines because that’s the only form of public transportation that gets cars off the road.

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

I think service has improved a little since I started 5 years ago. I have not had to endure much change on the routes that I use.

How would you encourage Angelenos to use transit?

Make it easier to ride by having a LA County day pass.