‘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: VP
Occupation: Radio producer
Location: Westside

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

Daily. Easier than dealing with parking on the Westside!

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

To work (I walk home).

What lines/routes do you take?

Line 4 heading to downtown.

How long does it typically take?

The trip takes five minutes.  Waiting for the bus usually takes 15 minutes, as the bus is usually late.

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?

Save money, help the environment, reduce stress, parking is a nightmare and life is WAY more entertaining when you use public transit.

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

Walking.

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

I have a car.

Your Perspective:

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

REAL TIME ARRIVAL INFO.

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

More rail (especially to the Westside).

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

It’s about the same. The fare hike was not wanted, but understandable.

How would you encourage Angelenos to use transit?

Clean up the buses and the clientele.  If more “normal” people used transit, then more normal people would use transit.