Here are our selections this week:

• Candace Hope Valenzuela, Glendora – Why You Ride
  “Save money, help the environment, and reduce stress all sound about right.”
• Transit Newbie, Los Angeles – Why You Ride
  “Reduce oil dependence and help the environment; reduce stress (previous work week car commutes were 45 minutes to 1.5 hours each way); save money, get more walking/exercise.”
• Phil, North Hills – Why You Don’t Ride
  “Doesn’t fit my schedule.”

Read the surveys, after the jump.

Name: Candace Hope Valenzuela
Occupation: Educator
Location: Glendora

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

I take it frequently for classes I take or for entertainment.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Typically, I’m going to Hollywood and Vine.

What lines/routes do you take?

I drive to the Sierra Madre Villa Gold Line station and then take it to the Red Line.

How long does it typically take?

1 hr 30 min.

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?

$100 – $300

Why do you take transit?

Save money, help the environment, and reduce stress all sound about right.

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

Car.

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

Not car-free.

Your Perspective:

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

Later times going to Pasadena. The service shuts off abruptly, and I spent time stranded. Either the Gold Line or the 180 bus should be extended beyond midnight.

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

I would definitely work on more transit oriented development. So much of this area is oriented toward cars. A more available directory of parking areas near your lines would also help people to make the decision that it would be more convenient to ride.

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?

I would honestly discuss the upside of transit. It takes a bit longer than driving, but if you compare dollars and cents to what a person would pay using their cars to get to certain places, it is worthwhile. I read, so much of my time I spend getting through things I enjoy. During the school year, I also get a lot of homework done on the Gold Line (not as easy on the buses, however). It almost seems like the commute is shorter some times because I’m far less stressed when I get to my destination.

Free wifi also never hurt anyone. Again, making the transit time more palatable would make a big difference.

***

Name: Transit Newbie
Occupation: Communications
Location: Los Angeles

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

Weekdays – to work. Weekends – for errands and fun.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Downtown L.A. to Hollywood, Los Feliz; mostly to other parts of downtown. Occasionally to Boyle Heights, Pasadena, or Koreatown.

What lines/routes do you take?

Metro Red and Purple lines; Silver Line or 81 to USC/Expo Park; DASH and other routes around downtown LA. Occasionally Eastside Gold Line.

How long does it typically take?

10-30 minutes.

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?

Reduce oil dependence and help the environment; reduce stress (previous work week car commutes were 45 minutes to 1.5 hours each way); save money, get more walking/exercise. Had previously always been envious of convenient public transit options in other cities; would always dread having to sit in traffic again upon returning home.

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

Company offers rideshare/shuttle to office.

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

Semi-car-free. Recently and intentionally became a one-car family. We only drive about once each weekend (sometimes not even that). Spouse works from home and company I work for offers free shuttle and pays a percentage of transit pass. Mostly, just got tired of car commuting from the Westside in constant traffic one hour each way for nearly 10 years – started to really, really dread getting in the car.

Your Perspective:

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

Regional connector would make it more convenient and time-efficient to take rail for short rides instead of waiting for buses, sitting in traffic on bus, running to another bus stop if missed bus/bus did not arrive, etc. Second change (not that you asked):  real-time bus arrivals (like DASH).

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

More transit-oriented development would be good, especially on Westside. More transit options (rail a priority) from San Fernando Valley to Westside/vice versa. More short transit (e.g., DASH-type) from Westside hubs to connect with other Westside hubs (e.g., UCLA to West LA to Culver City).

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

It’s pretty much the same. Have been riding transit for only six months – am still astounded at how crowded trains/buses are, and yet there is still so much traffic on the roads.

How would you encourage Angelenos to use transit?

Everyone has different reasons that they would/would not use transit, so you’d have to tailor it for targeted groups (which I’m sure you are already doing). 1) Overall, I think most people would want to be reassured that taking transit is safe and that the trains/buses are clean. 2) They’d want to know it’s convenient/easy for them – i.e., a lot of people wouldn’t be interested if they had to walk more than 1/3 mile to their stop. 3) They would want to know it’s not going to take more time to take transit than it would for them to drive (including traffic time) – this is true mostly for areas that already have access to a lot of transit options. 4) Not sitting in traffic is always a plus. 5) They can save money using transit – our family saves about $70 each month (we used to spend about $240/month on gas for two cars, now spending $160 for metro passes).

***

Name: Phil
Occupation: Manager
Location: North Hills

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

7 days. Drive to and from work 5 days.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

North Hills- Chatsworth.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

4

How long does your commute typically take?

30 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?

None.

Why do you drive?

Convenient.

Your Perspective:

Why can’t/don’t you take transit?

Doesn’t fit my schedule.

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

Yes. Tried in afternoon, was great. I leave at 5:00 am. 1st bus at 6:00 am.

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

Early schedules.

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?

[No answer provided.]