‘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: Wade Gasque
Occupation: Writer
Location: Santa Monica
Your Transportation Routine:
How often do you drive and for what purpose?
Drive to and from work in Santa Monica every day. Drive east to Downtown, Hollywood, etc. maybe once or twice a week for work related meetings and for play.
Where are you typically traveling from and going to?
See above.
How many vehicles do you or your family have?
2
How long does your commute typically take?
10 minutes.
Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?
I deal with it.
On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?
$50 – $100
Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?
I bike in Santa Monica. I take the Big Blue Bus occasionally.
Why do you drive?
Convenient. Buses going east take too long and aren’t always reliable.
Your Perspective:
Why can’t/don’t you take transit?
Buses from where in live in Santa Monica (Lincoln and Wilshire) take FOREVER to get to Hollywood, Downtown, etc. I often want to go east during rush hour and it’s impossible.
Have you tried to use transit before? What was your experience?
I’ve ridden the Wilshire bus and the Santa Monica bus. I’ve also ridden the Big Blue Bus. I don’t ride them often because:
1) They very often aren’t on schedule- I’ve had to wait hours before.
2) I’ve been sitting at a bus stop and had the bus literally drive by without stopping because I didn’t wave my arms?!
3) The buses going east take longer than driving because they share the road with the cars.
What could local transit agencies do to encourage you to take transit more often?
BUILD A SUBWAY TO SANTA MONICA!!! I would ride it always.
I lived in NY for 10 years. It is unfathomable that there are not more subways here. Santa Monica is definitely under served in terms of public transit.
How do you feel about buses?
I probably wouldn’t ride a bus.
How do you feel about rail?
I’d ride rail if it there was a route that served my needs.
Given limited funds, how would you address L.A.’s transportation issues?
Rail rail rail. Buses will never be faster than cars. I want to get to Hollywood in 30-45 minutes at any time. It’s only 10 miles away. We voted to raise our taxes for this. There is no more that we the taxpayers can do. Please make this happen. The 30/10 initiative MUST happen. Thank you.
Categories: Feedback, Metro Lifestyle, Surveys, Why You Ride
I’d understand your complaint more if you and others were standing, waved at the half-empty bus, and it still went by. That happened to me once. But just sitting at a bus stop doesn’t mean you want to get on that bus. You could be waiting for another bus or simply enjoying the view. How’s a driver going to read your mind?
$50-$100 a month for transportation costs? With two cars in your family? You’re living in a dream world, sir. Your car insurance costs a lot more than that. I understand your complaints about the bus but get real about the costs.