As urban city dwellers our modes of transportation are limited but its time for us as responsible, concerned, and “green” citizens to There are many choices for transportation in Los Angeles, and if we want better services we must start making the transition, the system pertains to the “if you don’t use it you lose it” rule.
Although driving is convenient and showing off your expensive ride is part of the California culture, it is detrimental to health of the earth and to Angelinos. With the constant influx of population and construction of new neighborhoods and commercial areas, this has in effect worsened the issues of traffic congestion, a problem that’s broken beyond the confines of rush hour. Parking was always a problem closer to one of our many downtowns, but we all know it’s now hard to find a spot across the street from our own house. The stress of urban life in conjunction with the positive ions riding in on the Santa Ana winds, can make people crazy, now stick them in traffic; can you say major road rage? Lets not forget the environmental degradation caused by diving’s infamous carbon emissions. If we all bought the “eco-friendly” Prius, freeways would still be the cause of houses being knocked down in the name of eminent domain
Los Angeles is a huge low density sprawl; which makes for a complex, complicated, and inconvenient transit system. According to the US census bureau, only 7% of Angelinos use public transportation. Like the Metro commercial says, “Low ridership means service cuts”; we need to make it obvious that we as a city want to make investments in transportation to accommodate the approximately 10,000,000 and growing number of Angelinos.
Buses are cheap, but may not be fast because of the frequent stops. Although there is the choice of taking an express or rapid, that’s if they are on your route. Some buses do not ride on certain days making it confusing for people introducing themselves to the system and although buses cannot compete with traffic, there are some bus lanes on the freeway closer to downtown L.A.
Buses and trains cater to people of low income in our community including the elderly, students, and the disabled, which maybe the cause of buses not going into certain areas. There is a huge debate about the expansion of the purple line going through Beverly Hills, although it would be convenient, the expansion is currently being built to go around Beverly Hills.
Our Metro Rail System starts in downtown Long Beach and ends in North Hollywood. The trains are efficient, especially when used in collaboration with the bus. The trains come often and get riders to their destinations fast. It can be very convenient if you live near the train and aren’t too far from your destination. But trying to get out of the South Bay towards North Hollywood is a mission, the ride takes longer than an hour, taking you south before taking you north, which makes for a very inconvenient ride, especially if you have to be in Hollywood fresh and early in the morning.
Some may complain that the train is dangerous but train stations have increased security personnel as well as cameras. One train rides is as cheap as buck and some change. The metro rail system welcomes skateboards and bikes on board and the stations. Train patrons can park their car at the train station that provides bike racks as well as bike lockers that can hold an oversized skateboard.
The best part of the trains in Los Angeles is, and I would have to say one of the highlights of the Los Angeles underground culture is the graffiti art gracing the walls and rooftops surrounding the trains. Not only is it a comfortable ride, free of traffic, you could relax and take the scenes in. This art speaks the story of the city. What goes on in our community is on the walls, spoken through the art of the youth.
If the city embraced its young artists and was interested in adding to the culture of LA, they would commission graffiti artists to paint on the walls surrounding the train, making the ride even more enjoyable. This way more people could be interested and look forward to riding the train. This could also keep the youth out of jail on graffiti felonies, not to mention the $30 million used last year for graffiti removal could go to improving the transit system this year.
Cycling is becoming increasingly common as a source of transportation for students and workers. Its convenient, you could stick it on a bus or train. Cycling is also good for your health, if you know how to breathe through your nose. Cycling works out your legs, abs, and booty, while getting your cardio in. While getting from point A to point B you can work out and work on your tan.
There are bike racks everywhere and cycling advocacy groups are working towards cyclist’s rights, including more an increase in the amount of bike paths. There are also non profit organizations such as the Bike Kitchen that understands the importance of bicycles as transportation, especially amongst students, people of low income, and undocumented workers. These organizations provide parts for a bike as well as a shop to assemble it, with employees to help with the assembly, all for donation.
Commuting through Los Angeles without a car offers Angelinos the chance to get to see the people and places of our city, and encourages one not be so holed up in their own world, in their own car, with their own stuff by reinserting them into the community. Mingling with other people you don’t often speak to will begin to put an end to the me, me, me selfish culture of LA by raising empathy for others and the community.
Public transportation gives Angelinos the chance to familiarize themselves with their neighborhood and surrounding areas unraveling the beauty of the community city block by city block. Take a ride and you will be opened up to gems you’ve been driving by everyday and never noticed, such as locally owned cafes and bookstores, or murals, parks, and museums.
This is your community; embrace it while spending less money on blood oil pumped from Iraq or the Amazon. Increased public transportation means the creation of more jobs because more drivers and maintenance worker will be needed, considering we are at a 10 percent unemployment rate. Go ahead and get rid of that pesky change that collects at the bottom of your purse and take the bus next time.
