‘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: J
Occupation: Environmental Planner (Air Quality Specialist)
Location: Los Angeles

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

Five days a week to commute work.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Mount Washington to Culver City.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

1

How long does your commute typically take?

40 minutes.  Music keeps me sane(ish).

Briefly, how would you describe your typical driving experience? Love it, deal with it, or hate it?

I hate it. There has to be a better way.

On average, what do you spend each month on transportation?

$100 – $300

Do you use any forms of alternative transportation?

I ride bikes and use transit for non-commute purposes.

Why do you drive?

I used to be able to take transit regularly, but due to a recent work change I now work at an office that would take considerably longer to get to via transit.  Everyday when I look in my wallet and see my TAP card with no passes on it, it bums me out.  Luckily, there’s an Expo station going up across the street!  Danga excited.  Yep, danga.

Your Perspective:

Why can’t/don’t you take transit?

Would make the commute time even longer unfortunately.

Have you tried to use transit before? What was your experience?

Yep, loved it.  Handled my napping/reading time, and did some rad people watching.  I was also able to catch up on my music intake.

What could local transit agencies do to encourage you to take transit more often?

Keep doin’ what you’re doin’.  I think between all the new projects, and finally get a system like TAP in place has been the right steps forward.  E-high five!

How do you feel about buses?

I’d ride a bus if there was a route that served my needs.

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?

People love rail.  I’m also a strong advocate of subsidizing freeway costs less.  I think freeways should all have tolls.  Just sayin’.  People will drive less if they have to actually pay for it.  I mean, transit users pay a small fee to use transit, why shouldn’t drivers pay a small fee to use freeways?  Fair is fair.