How does public transportation work for you in LA?

Question

So this is a follow-up Q to my previous one: How is it getting around LA on public transportation? Since I'll be working Downtown, and living options may be scarce or sketchy right around the area, I might consider moving outwards. But I'd rather not have to deal with traffic and expensive parking structures to get to work everyday, so I'd like to take advantage of the metro or express shuttle, if possible.

For instance: say I were to live in Pasadena or Santa Monica. How would pub-trans work out? Safe? Convenient? Swift? Whats the word on this, what say you? Any and all details welcome.

Answer 1

I dont drive anywhere I go in LA..From the Pasadena area I go to the ...



Dodger Games

Laker Games

beaches

Universal City

Veterans Cemetery

Downtown

LAX

Ontario Airport

Long Beach

Greyhound

Amtrak station

Pomona Fair

etc, etc, etc



I go anywhere someone with a car goes..The difference is that you need to get used to the schedule..You need patience..You need to allow for extra time..Yes it might take me a little longer to get to these places..but I never pay for parking, gas, insurance, nor do I worry about auto theft, traffic, vandalism etc etc.



Anyone who says you have to have a car in LA is just closed minded and has never used public transportation..People act as if they were born with a car at the ready..A car is just something most of you are used to, while not being used to mass transit..



It will take some time to get used but it will be worth it.

Answer 2

Public transit works well in LA provided you are well informed as to all of the various options which travel between the areas you want to live in. For example, between Santa Monica and downtown LA the Santa Monica Blue Bus #10 provides quick, frequent and low cost bus service along that corridor. While there are other routes the Blue #10 would be fastest. In a similar situation between Pasadena and downtown LA you could use the Gold Line Metro Rail directly between the two. Also the MTA bus #485 express would be a reasonable consideration. Best of luck

Answer 3

We only have one car...my hubby needs it for work...so, I either walk or take public transportation. OCTA is better than MTA. I have never had any real problems. I take it to school....to dr. appointments....grocery story....museums....the zoo. I live in OC & have taken it all the way to Grifith Park. However, it does not go everywhere. There are some industrial areas where buses are not accessible. Also, I disagree with the one about Dodger games. It doesn't run during all of them....and I am not sure they even have that bus anymore. Another problem is with changing from OC to LA....they don't take each others passes, but they do take transfers from local busses(Norwalk, Whittier, Cerritos, etc.) It can work well...as long as you allow time. I try to catch the one before the one I really need....because they sometimes run early & sometimes run late. You also get things like marathons, grand prix, construction....these all effect it. On holidays it will run Sunday schedule. I always hear that you need a car in Los Angeles...however, I have lived here my whole life & have no problem getting around without a car. I know a lot of people who take public transportation. For us, we have 4 kids....so, I think it would be irresponsible of us to have 2 cars...unless they were both efficient ones...so, it is worth the extra effort to me. I also know some people who hate public transportation. I just make sure I know my schedule, allow enough time for error & bring a good book. With gas prices so outrageous...you are going to see more people either take public transportation from now on...or alternating between driving & public transportation.

Answer 4

If you want to live in Pasadena, try to get a place near the Gold Line. Old Town Pasadena would be a good start.



Check out www.metro.net.



Finally, metro is getting some legs. Maybe I'll live to see a workable public transit system in LA. But we're 40 years late in starting it.



Metro trains and metrolink trains are great. When I rode the metrolink train from Fullerton to Irvine, it was quick, smooth, and relaxing.

Answer 5

It all depends on where you are going. I live and work in the same area (mid-wilshire) so public transportation is great for me. And I'm near the farmer's market, so I either ride my bike or my husband and I take his car. But that's everyday daytime stuff. If we were going out or somewhere kinda far, like Santa Monica or the Inland Empire a car is needed. So it really depends on your lifestyle.

Answer 6

The Public Transportation is good.

However, we could do better.

There are numeorus of people who work in the Downtown area and take public transportation everyday to work. I have a friends whom calls Valencia his home and works in Downtown LA. He takes the Metrolink every day.