‘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: Jose
Occupation: Student
Location: Compton

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

I take the Blue line to get to school and sometimes for entertainment purposes.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

From Compton to Long Beach.
Compton to Los Angeles.
Compton to West L.A or Hollywood.
Compton to the Valley.

What lines/routes do you take?

The Blue Line. Sometimes the Red Line and Lines 202 or 125.

How long does it typically take?

An hour to an hour and one quarter.

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?

Less than $50

Why do you take transit?

Help the environment, save some money and reduce stress.

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

Sometimes ride sharing.

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

Yes. Why? Because it’s a good way to save some money.

Your Perspective:

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

I would change the quality of service provided by Metro. The more amicable and safe the environment is, the more likely one would return to take the bus or rail. Also, add more frequent service.

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

More rail and more transit oriented development. It would create more jobs and would encourage Angelenos to use transit because it would make it more convenient.

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

I think it is the same or worse. Before I felt more secure, they had more officers in the trains, now it is rare to see them. There must be better security and better quality of service provided by Metro bus drivers. Measure R should help and should make L.A transit better!

How would you encourage Angelenos to use transit?

I would encourage them that it’s a good way to save money and that it could help the environment. Also it’s a way to see the real L.A and to see where our tax money is going.