LAist: Called Out for Transit Apathy

Scott Mercer

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 03:47:15 -0800

I have my own two cents to add. I don't think that survey was as bad as you think. 61% of Downtowners "rarely or never" using mass transit means that 39% of them are using it "occasionally or often." In L.A. that's a really great rate of usage, and I'm it's 3-4 times greater than any other neighborhood in the city, I'm betting, but I can't know for sure because this is only Downtown being surveyed here. I'm sure the % of ridership is also pretty high in lower-income areas like Boyle Heights, Pico-Union or South L.A. But how high can it be in places like Sherman Oaks, Brentwood or Northridge? You think more than 5 to 10% of people living there use mass transit "occasionally or often" then I've got some e-mails from Nigeria for you, pal. So, let's give us Downtowners a small break, huh? They're likely doing more than their share of transit riding.

pixelthief

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:31:09 -0800

I knew that ranter sounded famililar...

Wad

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 16:02:44 -0800

Raina wrote: If it was open later I might seriously consider getting rid of my car completely. Not that I go out late all the time but it would be nice to be able to go out and get back without having to call a cab. It would be a great way to reduce drunk driving in this city. What time does it stop running these days anyway? On Metro's site, click Timetables, and look for the list of 24-hour routes. (I don't have TypeKey so I can't put the URL here.) The color lines (rail and busways) run until midnight or 1 a.m. The bus lines vary widely, but generally, the busier the bus during the day, the later at night it runs. Most 1-99 lines run until 1 a.m., while 100-299 buses run later the closer they are to downtown L.A. Another downtown L.A. route that runs 24 hours is operated by Foothill Transit. Until Sunday, it's Line 480. After Sunday, it becomes Silver Streak. Free rides are available on it through April 1. In downtown L.A., after 9 p.m., the buses are timed to meet at Seventh Street and Broadway.

Will Campbell

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 09:40:47 -0800

Anna, I don't think the argument is about whether a car is convenient. Of course it is. But can't it be too convenient? Your downtown life is a lot more than hanging out at night at distant hotspots, isn't it? While you may not feel safe on the streets after dark or willing to be inconvenienced, surely you're aware of the vast mass-transit opportunities available to you when the sun is up and you can leave your car behind to hop the Red Line to North Hollywood or the Blue Line to Long Beach or the Gold Line to Pasadena or take the No. 96 bus to Griffith Park. Try them sometime.

anna

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 09:22:06 -0800

as a single twentysomething female, i would not feel completely safe leaving my downtown apartment at night on foot. also, when friends want to hang out at night, they most likely pick a spot *not* in downtown, and well out of the reach of reasonable bus/train transport (by "reasonable", I mean "takes less than an hour from door to door"). Thus having a car, even while living downtown, is perhaps more convenient for most people.

Raina

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 08:50:27 -0800

I have been living downtown for 6 yrs now and love and use the metro all the time. If it was open later I might seriously consider getting rid of my car completely. Not that I go out late all the time but it would be nice to be able to go out and get back without having to call a cab. It would be a great way to reduce drunk driving in this city. What time does it stop running these days anyway?

Fred Camino

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 20:15:12 -0800

Bert, the CCA survey was meant to be a demographic survey of new residents since 2000. Apparently the survey was distributed to 35 properties. There was a 17.2% response rate, with 931 responses. I participated in the survey (a survey was mailed to me, and I assume everyone else in my building). Whether or not it's completely accurate doesn't change the message. Plus I know a lot of my neighbors are very surprised by my transit usage and even more surprised by the car-free lifestyle.

Troy

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 19:51:15 -0800

Thanks for the metroriderla link. I grew up in Oregon where we would go out of our ways to ride bikes to work, carpool and ride Portland's transit system when in the city. I am amazed at how pathetic LA is when it comes to public transit.. I am referring to West LA where I currently live. I would have thought (or rather hoped) that it was just an issue of there not being enough of an infrastructure to support a decent transit system but it looks that is not the case. If people downtown started using public transit more then it might inspire the increase of public transit in other areas instead of working on more street projects. Put in a light rail!

Bert Green

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 19:43:58 -0800

I saw that survey, but you must remember that it was conducted by the Central City Association, not by the Downtown News. Last year, the Downtown News conducted a (probably somewhat unscientific) study of their own on their website, and came up with a figure of about 65% of downtowners who DO use public transit. The CCA must have stood on the corner of 5th & Flower at noon and asked anyone who walked by, or at best surveyed the demographics of only the people who bought luxury condos over the past year (many of whom don't even live in their units). They exist to boost business and property values, so to me their results are naturally suspect.

Fred Camino

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:36:49 -0800

Oh yeah, the address for MetroRiderLA is metrorider.elhay.net

Fred Camino

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:35:38 -0800

Hey guys, it's "Frederick" better known as Fred Camino in the world of L.A. blogs. Now that my secret is out, make sure to check out the blog I run, MetroRiderLA, for more transit rants. Actually, it's way more positive than my letter to the Downtown News would lead you to believe. I was just... shocked... when I read the statistic initially because THE reason I moved Downtown was because I felt it was the best place to live car-free (which I do) in L.A. I just figured others did the same!

ryan

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:30:45 -0800

Please, please write for us here in Atlanta. There's a lot of "intowners" who need a new one ripped for them.