‘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: M
Occupation: Artist
Location: Hollywood

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

I take it 4-5 days a week to work and back home mostly. Occasionally I take it if I want to drink and not have to drive.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

From Hollywood to the Grove area.

What lines/routes do you take?

222 or 156 then 217 or 780 depending.

How long does it typically take?

780 and 217 can take 20 to 25 minutes for the ride…

156 and the 222 10 to 15 minutes for the ride….

But all of these buses need more frequent buses. Especially the 222. The wait for the next bus can be as much as an hour, if the bus shows as scheduled.

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?

$50 – $100

Why do you take transit?

I did it because of the stress of driving and finding parking. I was thrilled with the savings in my car insurance and gas, as well is lowering my carbon footprint.

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

Car.

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

I would love to be car free, unfortunately Los Angeles is not friendly to those without a car. The public transportation is not reliable enough to be without a vehicle.

Your Perspective:

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

All of my changes have to do with the frequency of buses and reliability.

Making the buses more reliable and better notification of when a bus will not be coming. I have been stuck waiting for a bus that is not coming with a bus stop full of angry riders.

Extending the rush hour schedule for rapid buses. The 780 could run longer. The first couple of 217 buses after the 780 quits running are packed solid.

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

More buses.

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

It’s gotten worse. In the past couple of months the 217 and 780 buses have been less reliable. No bus for as long as 45 minutes and then the bus that does arrive is packed solid.

How would you encourage Angelenos to use transit?

I try but the biggest complaint I hear from friends is that it is unreliable.