‘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: Sabrina
Occupation: Student
Location: Cerritos

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

I take it almost every day.  I started off just using it for getting to school in L.A. (USC!!) and back, but then I ended up interning in Pasadena and took Metro Rail because it was so convenient.  Then I found out you can take the Metro Rail almost anywhere and avoid being stressed out by darn L.A. traffic.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

School at USC, internship in Pasadena.

What lines/routes do you take?

Green Line, Blue Line, Red Line, Gold Line, Dash F and Metro Line 204.

How long does it typically take?

2 hours.

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?

Less than $50

Why do you take transit?

Save money, save the environment, save myself from getting a ticket, save myself from parking and save myself from getting crashed into down in L.A.

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

Sometimes I bike if the location is close enough.

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

No, anywhere else besides downtown L.A., driving can actually be more convenient.

Your Perspective:

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

• Air fresheners on the blue line.
• For people with monthly TAP cards, what is the point of taping every time we transfer?
• When accidents do occur, more/faster response time to let the public know through intercom and real life Metro representatives (although I appreciate how Metro has been telling people via email about construction).

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

• Finish the Expo Line soon please.
• A GOOD thing I’ve been seeing are the #399 tow trucks!!
• And I would like to feel safer taking the Metro Rail at night…thanks!

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

It’s been the same, although the fare has gone up which will stink when I’m no longer a student, looking for a job and have to pay full price.

How would you encourage Angelenos to use transit?

Make it easier. I used to be intimidated because it’s confusing unless someone who knows takes you.  If you have extra Metro people available who know how to work the lines, it would be great for first timers to have personalized introductions on which lines to take.