‘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: BZ
Occupation: Cost Analyst
Location: Santa Clarita

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

4-5 times a week to get to/from work.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

I drive from my home to the Newhall Transit Station. Park my car at the parking lot and walk across the street to take the Santa Clarita Commuter bus to Los Angeles.  I get off at the 1st stop in Chinatown and walk up the stairs to take Metro Gold Line from Chinatown to Union Station where I work.

What lines/routes do you take?

Santa Clarita Commuter bus 799 from Newhall station to Chinatown stop.  Then Metro Gold Line from Chinatown station to Union Station.

How long does it typically take?

It typically takes around 60 – 70 minutes from leaving my home to arriving to my work place.  I leave my home around 5:50am and usually arrived to work before 7:00am. I leave at 3:50pm to take the 3:58pm Metro Gold Line from Union Station to Chinatown and walk across the street to take the 4:05pm Santa Clarita Transit.  If I drive alone, it would take 50-60 minutes one-way.

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?

$100 – $300

Why do you take transit?

Mainly to save money and reduce stress from driving alone.

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

Yes, I take Metrolink train when I miss the bus.

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

No, I am not car-free. I have young children whom I need to drop-off/pick up from before/after school care.  They also have activities after school and classes on the weekend that are not easily accessible by public transportation.

Your Perspective:

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

I believe more frequent service would be my one change.

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

More transit oriented development.

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

I started riding RTD buses back in the early 80’s with my parents.  In my opinion, LA transit is better now.  There are more options to choose from such as regular buses, commuter buses, Metrolink trains, subway (RED line), and light rail (Gold Line).

How would you encourage Angelenos to use transit?

I would tell them using transit would save money and time.