Here are our selections this week:

• Joel Epstein, West L.A. – Why You Ride
  “Save money, reduce my carbon footprint, reduce stress, leave the driving to someone who is better at it then me, and of course because solo drivers are the root of all evil and the cause of much of L.A.’s congestion.”
• Stephanie T, South L.A. – Why You Ride
  “I save money, it is cheaper than taxis if I have to be out late at night, a lot of the common places I am at have routes that run 24 hours or routes that run owl service that are within walking distance, and it is very convenient.”
• A.B., Torrance – Why You Don’t Ride
  “It usually takes longer to get where I am going, and it’s less dependable than my car.”

Read the surveys, after the jump.

Name: Joel Epstein
Occupation: Lapsed attorney, Huffington Post blogger, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Professional
Location: West L.A.

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

2-3 days/week to work and meetings.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

Home to work/work to home.  Home to work meetings and back.

What lines/routes do you take?

704 Rapid, 2, 720 Rapid, 761, Purple Line, Red Line, Gold Line, Orange and Blue Lines infrequently, Green Line rarely…; Big Blue Bus 3, 4, 14.

How long does it typically take?

Varies with time of day, line.  Much prefer the Rapids.  Lincoln Blvd, one of the worst streets in LA, needs a BRT line today, and stop making excuses that it can’t support one.

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

I deal with it.  You need another answer choice.  Anyone riding surface transit knows how variable the experience and timeliness of the ride is.  We need more fixed rail transit and BRTs immediately.

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

$100 – $300

Why do you take transit?

Save money, reduce my carbon footprint, reduce stress, leave the driving to someone who is better at it then me, and of course because solo drivers are the root of all evil and the cause of much of LA’s congestion.

It’s time for 30/10’s 12 critical transit lines x 3.

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

Carpool with my wife.  Bicycle, walk.

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

Not car free.  But when I’m not riding Metro I’m generally riding a scooter which makes sense some times, is better in traffic, and is easier on the environment and my wallet.  Cars are sometimes a convenience and sensibly sized ones are not inherently evil.

Your Perspective:

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

I can’t stop at one.

Free or low cost bus/subway transfers.  Ability to purchase TAP day passes at supermarkets and bodegas throughout the city, not just at Metro offices.  Wilshire Subway to Santa Monica (or at least to Bundy).  Acceleration of Expo Phase 1 and 2 construction.  BRT or rail from SF Valley south to LAX now, instead of the useless, immediately obsolete HOV lane project.  Greater frequency on the # 2.

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

30/10!  Measure R.  Congestion pricing on the freeways. Wilshire Subway,  BRTs on many of the old Red Car routes until we can afford to build light rail.  Consider a public private partnership approach to construction of a 405 rail line to LAX from the San Fernando Valley and South Bay.  Denver is building one to the Denver Airport…  Why not LA?  Though things are in the works with 30/10, the process is too slow for the poor folks who commute daily along the 405.

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

It’s gotten better. Gold Line extension, Orange Line, Rapids.  Expo is really coming!  While we’re waiting for 30/10, dedicated lane BRTs are the way to go.  It’s disgraceful the way Angelenos accept the status quo when there are options and decent (interim) solutions. We need more of all of the above.

How would you encourage Angelenos to use transit?

Free bus/rail transfers.  A Google Transit-like planner on metro.net that’s easier to use than the current, outmoded affair.  More dedicated lane BRT lines that get riders to their destination sooner than they would get there by driving.  30/10!  Complete Expo and the Wilshire subway asap, esp. the latter, to demonstrate how fast and convenient riding public transportation can be.  Strategic TAP card loaded with day passes giveaways.  Metro’s PR and marketing has dramatically improved in my time, but there are other opportunities.  How many thousands don’t ride because they’ve never seen a TAP card or token and still live with that backwards mindset that public transportation isn’t for them, doesn’t come frequently enough, doesn’t go where they need to go, and is dirty?  If the public don’t know about TAP and where to get and fill a card, how can Angelenos be expected to try Metro?

Posting reliable schedules on more of the stops is critical as well.

We need a broad-based movement (business, civic, students, religious, environmental, labor) for public transportation in this city that can meaningfully advocate for transportation dollars the way those who would turn the whole county into a big freeway work it.  A coalition that I am involved with is a start but it’s just that, a start.

***

Name: Stephanie T
Occupation: Unemployed
Location: South L.A.

Your Transit Routine:

How often do you take transit and for what purpose?

I ride public transit on a daily basis to get to medical appointments, to visit with friends and family, for leisure activities, shopping, basically for just about everything.

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

I typically travel from South L.A. to Hollywood, Inglewood, Downey, Norwalk, South Gate, Culver City, Universal City, Lynwood, and Compton. My medical insurance has my doctors all over the place.

What lines/routes do you take?

I usually take the red line, blue line, green lines, 111, 711, 53, 115 and 733.

How long does it typically take?

Depending on what day it is, it takes any where from 15 to 60 minutes and it also depends on where I am traveling to that day.

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?

I save money, it is cheaper than taxis if I have to be out late at night, a lot of the common places I am at have routes that run 24 hours or routes that run owl service that are within walking distance, and it is very convenient.

Other Transportation:

Do you use any other forms of alternative transportation?

I walk to some of the places that are close by and have been known to walk up to three miles to places before.

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

Yes. I have a medical disability that by state law prevents me from driving or obtaining a driver’s license for at least 6 months.

Your Perspective:

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

I would have more buses because a lot of buses are too crowded. People have to be crammed all on one bus and it feels like we are sardine fish in a can. It is then a safety hazard and places Metro at a liability risk if there were an accident because a lot of passengers could end up seriously hurt. The drivers sometimes drive fast and make sudden stops, compounding the issue.

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

More buses, cleaner buses,  better time tables on some routes, reinforcement of transit rules (there are too many bikes on one train car, panhandlers at train stations) and more security at train stations.

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?

Dump the Pump, save the environment and your wallet by using the Los Angeles Metro Today!

***

Name: A.B.
Occupation: Test Engineer
Location: Torrance

Your Transportation Routine:

How often do you drive and for what purpose?

Monday through Friday to work. I also drive to do shopping, errands, and to get to concerts, museums and to see friends or family. I sometimes drive just to get away and relax, especially on hot days. My car has air conditioning and a radio!

Where are you typically traveling from and going to?

To work, stores, concerts, doctor or dentist offices.

How many vehicles do you or your family have?

We have 2 cars. I own a car and my father owns a car.

How long does your commute typically take?

Depending on traffic, anywhere between 12 and 45 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?

Rarely. I don’t know anyone going my way in order to car pool. It’s been a long time since I have used a bike for transportation; it’s not really practical or safe in my area.

Why do you drive?

My car is available whenever I need to use it. I can go anywhere, at any time. I can carry heavy things in my car. I have control over the radio and air conditioning. When I pass through an area with bad air quality I can turn to recycled air. I don’t have to depend on other people.

Your Perspective:

Why can’t/don’t you take transit?

It usually takes longer to get where I am going, and it’s less dependable than my car. For example, at my last job, it would take almost 3 hours to get 14 miles, but it took only 25 minutes to drive. We live in a transportation “dead zone”. Over the last 30 years the number of buses has been reduced dramatically, and they stop running pretty early at night.

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

I’ve been stranded in downtown L.A. because the buses were all full and passed by me without stopping. I have missed appointments because the bus never showed up. I cannot depend on public transit to get to a specific place at a specific time. However, I might take the bus to come home when I drop my car off at the mechanic. In the past, when I did not have a car, I used the buses to get to places like the beach or the park successfully.

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

It would be nice to have smaller buses make more frequent stops, in order to be more flexible. If our area does not have enough ridership for the huge buses, why can’t they use smaller ones?

If there were a light rail line that extended into this area I might use it.

Be more dependable. Due to health issues, I cannot sit for long periods of time outside at a bus stop on a busy street.

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?

More rail that corresponds with the freeways with the most gridlock. For example, the downtown area where the 110, 101, 10 and 5 freeways all connect within a few miles is hell to drive through. I have learned it’s a waste of time, so I drive on the streets. It seems logical to put rail of some kind along the freeways so that people who commute to downtown L.A. can use them.

I would also invest in smaller, green local buses or shuttles to take people in outlying suburban areas to the large transit centers.

It might be possible to use solar powered wireless devices to detect traffic problems and communicate them in real time to people’s cars or cell phones. Federal money for green development might be found, and this seems like something that could be a project for students at engineering schools like CalTech or MIT.