‘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: Reed R. Blanton
Occupation: Server
Location: Melrose District

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

Up to six days a week for work, gym, food, shopping, and pleasure.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Typically from home to work.

What lines/routes do you take?

217, 780, Red Line to North Hollywood, 224, and 165.

How long does it typically take?

On a good day only forty five minutes. On an average day, anywhere from one hour to an hour and a half.

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?

$50 – $100

Why do you take transit?

For all the reasons everyone should ride public transit. It really does save money. Imagine, seventy five dollars a month gets you on any Metro transit, even some non-Metro transit. Add up the cost of gas, vehicle insurance, financing costs, plus vehicle repairs, add the stress of driving in the L.A. Metro area, why wouldn’t anyone want to ride public transit?

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

On weekends and some night, only taxis, and only for short distances.

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

I am car free. When I moved to the L.A. area, I wanted to experience living on public transit. Two weeks into my stay in L.A., I was unexpectedly thrown onto my first bus. Though I was planning on selling my vehicle and using public transit, the timing was unexpected.

Your Perspective:

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

More frequent service in evenings and on weekends.

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

Keep current rail, bus, development, and freeways, however focus on evening and weekend service.

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

It’s pretty much the same.

How would you encourage Angelenos to use transit?

Make driving in LA more difficult that what they have no choice. If they won’t use by choice, give them the chance to.