Riding In LA

News Flash! LA metro named the outstanding public transit system in the nation for 2006!
Click this link to read more:
http://www.mta.net/news_info/press/metro_093.htm

So gas is about $3.50 a gallon. Summer's coming and it's only gonna get worse. The freeways are choked with traffic. You're running out of books on tape. You need anger management for your road rage. The Prius used to be a joke, but now it's a sexy car. And now you're wondering if there is a way out of driving your damn car to work.

Good news! You too can ride the metro, save money, relax, and let someone else drive you to work.

"Me, ride the metro?" You may ask. "Isn't that just for homeless people who don't own cars?"

Well, I admit that if you read my blog, you may get the false impression that all of the riders are homeless people with poor hygeine. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. Most of my rides, I am disappointed that there is very little out of the ordinary to report for you all. I see respectable people in business suits, bankers, lawyers, nurses, and workers of all kinds. Most people read the paper and keep to themselves. It's just that this doesn't make for a very interesting story and gets under-reported.


Today's blog is my introduction for the beginning MTA rider. I will attempt to answer such questions as, "How do I know which bus to take?", or "Where do I find a schedule?", or "How do I pay for the ride?". Luckily for you, I have learned the answers to these questions by my own trial and error. I hope to save you from making silly rookie errors that I had to make for myself. If you pay attention, you will blend right in with the veteran MTA riders of Los Angeles.

1. How do I know which bus/train to take?
Luckily for you, the MTA has an excellent website that will answer most of your questions. Specifically, if you go to http://www.mta.net/, you will find a trip planner on the right side bar. Put your starting and ending addresses in and it will give you a trip plan along with a price.

2. How do I pay?
Once again, the mta website has excellent instructions. However, this can be an area of concern for the uninitiated. Let me spell it out so there is no anxiety about the boarding process.

Bus: Step up into the bus. Tell your driver where you are going. You should have exact change. Generally a one way fare is $1.25. For a full price breakdown, see this link: http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/riders_guide/paying_fare.htm#TopOfPage
Place your fare into the change/bill acceptor.

If you are on a freeway bus, your driver will tell you how much extra to put in (each zone you pass through is an extra $0.50). Some drivers will give you a zone ticket that they will collect after you pass through a zone.

If you need a day pass, tell your driver and pay your $3.00. If your trip involves a switch from the MTA bus to a city bus (i.e. Foothill/Big Blue Bus/Torrance), you can get a metro to muni transfer for $0.25 by asking your driver for one. Get on the bus and sit down. The front side rows are reserved for handicapped people, so don't sit there unless you fit that description.

Train: All train stations have vending machines that dispense passes. Follow the instructions on the screen and pay for your pass. It will come out of the bottom slot along with your change. The goldline has brand new machines that work flawlessly. The red line and other older stations have machines that can be finicky with crisp bills. I recommend you use coins for those machines. If you already have a day pass issued by a bus driver, you can just board any train. Fare inspectors randomly check for tickets. If you're running late, you can risk not buying a ticket. However, the fine is $250, so I don't recommend taking the gamble unless absolutely necessary.

3. Will I run into shady people? Is it safe?
In Los Angeles, you will always run into shady people in public places. That's a given. However, it's pretty rare that any of them will approach you. The bus drivers are generally tough, street-smart people who don't tolerate any shenanigans on their vehicle. Sheriffs randomly board and ride buses and trains as well. I wouldn't recommend riding the blue line through South Central alone at night if you're an attractive female. Otherwise, security should not be a problem. Here, you see a sheriff deputy about to board a rapid bus (freeway bus).


4. How do I get the bus driver to stop when I reach my destination?
It's easy. Most buses will have an automated announcement of the next stop. When you hear your stop is next, reach up and pull the cable next to any window. These are all well marked and within reach from every seat. This will ring a bell and make an announcement that there is a "Stop Requested". You can get off at the front or rear doors. However, most freeway buses only allow front door exiting.

5. Can I sleep on the bus or train?
Yes.

6. Can I eat/drink on the bus or train?
No.

7. What about bicycles?
The bus front carrier has room for 2 bicycles. If it's full, you are out of luck. Metro doesn't allow bikes on its trains from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. unless trains are moving in a direction opposite the peak hour flow of commuter traffic on the Metro Blue, Green, and Gold lines. I prefer to use a skateboard since it fits under my seat.

8. How do I get the doors to open?
Most of the time, the doors will open automatically at every stop. If it is cold, you might have to push a button to open the doors.

On buses, you may need to yell at the driver to open the back door if you are exiting that way.

9. Can I use the train instead of a designated driver?
Yes! However, all trains and most buses stop running around 1am in LA. Therefore, you can always arrive early and drink yourself to an early stupor, stumble to the bus stop, and get out before the last call rush. If you find an afterparty, the trains start running again at 4am and you can get home in time for breakfast.

10. Is it faster than driving?
That depends on your commute and parking situation. For me, it adds time to my daily commute. However, I can sleep, listen to my ipod, call people, and read the paper, all while someone else drives me there. I arrive home well rested and ready for action.

11. Is the MTA fabulous?
Absolutely.

12. Will I save money?
That depends on your commute. Driving takes me 1hr 45 minutes every day. I save $12 every time I ride the MTA. (That's $60 per week, $240 every month, and $2880.00 every year).*


That's it. Now sit back, relax, watch the news/movie previews, and have a great trip!



*Assuming I commute via MTA 5 days a week.