‘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: Brian M.
Occupation: Graduate Student
Location: Echo Park

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

2-4 times per week to work.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Echo Park to UCLA.

What lines/routes do you take?

2 or 302.

How long does it typically take?

1.5 hours door to door.

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?

To save money and to reduce my environmental impact. I also take the bus when it is raining or too hot to ride my bicycle.

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

Bicycle.

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

Not car free because I can’t sell my car.

Your Perspective:

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

More frequent off-peak service.

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

More grade separated rail, preferably subway and no more transit money wasted on freeways.

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?

Collect tolls on all freeways and use the funds to improve bus and rail service.