I have to admit that I’m unsure how LA does it, but up in Washington the voters have to approve more funding for transit. Which is difficult if voters feel like transit doesn’t work well to begin with and then it’s an uphill battle.
LA is a tough one for this because it’s so spread out. San Francisco has a famously amazing BART system but the city is also very tiny compared to what most people think of as “LA”.
Depending where you live and where you go, LA Metro can be useful. I use the Metro quite often, and I know the bus system is pretty expansive as well. They’ve also consistently been adding new lines and stops including a way to get to LAX via Metro. So it’s not like improvements aren’t being made.
Love that you’re holding BART up as a shining example.
For getting to anywhere in the city it’s awful. Within the city all lines share the same stops. if you want to go east-ish/west-ish either no you don’t, or you have to transfer to a bus (which is an additional fare since MUNI is a different agency).
So would it be better at getting people into the city? Again, no. To go from my school (Cal State East Bay) to 16th and mission, a place that I went to basically weekly took about 58% longer than driving (I’m bad at math, so that may be off, but 40 vs 70 minutes). Additionally, I just did a fare caluclation, and now a round trip fare for that trip is $13.50. If I drove, it’s 2 gallons of gas and the $8.50 bridge toll. While driving is slightly more expensive, the save time and “last mile” convenience usually outweighed it for me.
Oh, and the hours were super limiting on week nights (when I would go to the city).
I mean, zoning reform needs to happen before transit is a viable option. Miles and miles of low density sfhs and strip malls will never be able to be effectively served by transit because a transit system can’t possibly be efficient enough to both serve a reasonable number of people and get people where they are going in a timely fashion. Its just geometry.
… I’ve been to SF several times and used the system, it’s great. Also to add, since you enjoy being condescending, I’ve used public transport in Asia and Europe as well. So… haha?
Not impossible. Just very difficult. Source: I lived there for several years without a car, moved close to where I worked (twice), biked and walked most of the time, some public transit when the routes lined up, had very little social life. If there was a special event across town, could use some money saved from not having a car to spring for a taxi.
Maybe make your metro usable so not driving would be easier. It’s kind of impossible to get where you need to go without a car in LA
More people taking transit will help put pressure on improving it.
I agree but I think it’s much easier the other way around. First improve the infrastructure, then incentivize people to use it.
I have to admit that I’m unsure how LA does it, but up in Washington the voters have to approve more funding for transit. Which is difficult if voters feel like transit doesn’t work well to begin with and then it’s an uphill battle.
Double-edged sword, I’ll admit.
That’s a chicken-egg problem.
A double-edged sword is something that could hurt as much as it helps if you’re not careful.
Hah you’re right! I’ll blame it on my lack of coffee thus far this morning ;)
Should try a double-sided coffee :)
LA is a tough one for this because it’s so spread out. San Francisco has a famously amazing BART system but the city is also very tiny compared to what most people think of as “LA”.
Depending where you live and where you go, LA Metro can be useful. I use the Metro quite often, and I know the bus system is pretty expansive as well. They’ve also consistently been adding new lines and stops including a way to get to LAX via Metro. So it’s not like improvements aren’t being made.
Love that you’re holding BART up as a shining example.
For getting to anywhere in the city it’s awful. Within the city all lines share the same stops. if you want to go east-ish/west-ish either no you don’t, or you have to transfer to a bus (which is an additional fare since MUNI is a different agency).
So would it be better at getting people into the city? Again, no. To go from my school (Cal State East Bay) to 16th and mission, a place that I went to basically weekly took about 58% longer than driving (I’m bad at math, so that may be off, but 40 vs 70 minutes). Additionally, I just did a fare caluclation, and now a round trip fare for that trip is $13.50. If I drove, it’s 2 gallons of gas and the $8.50 bridge toll. While driving is slightly more expensive, the save time and “last mile” convenience usually outweighed it for me.
Oh, and the hours were super limiting on week nights (when I would go to the city).
Any how the Maryland/Viginia/DC metro (WAMATA) blows BART out of the water while covering 1,500 square miles.
I mean, zoning reform needs to happen before transit is a viable option. Miles and miles of low density sfhs and strip malls will never be able to be effectively served by transit because a transit system can’t possibly be efficient enough to both serve a reasonable number of people and get people where they are going in a timely fashion. Its just geometry.
Yeah, a train won’t do much without transit oriented development.
Haha….hahahahHahahahaHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
…you spend too much time on Internet forums and not enough time riding transit lol
Edit: I see the “Your lived experience is invalid” people are showing up today.
Wow that edit makes you look such an idiot. Go re-read your comment again.
… I’ve been to SF several times and used the system, it’s great. Also to add, since you enjoy being condescending, I’ve used public transport in Asia and Europe as well. So… haha?
These are two separate comments.
The metro is usable.
It’s still impossible to get around LA without a car. It’s a very large spreadout city.
Not impossible. Just very difficult. Source: I lived there for several years without a car, moved close to where I worked (twice), biked and walked most of the time, some public transit when the routes lined up, had very little social life. If there was a special event across town, could use some money saved from not having a car to spring for a taxi.