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I would LOVE to have a viable public transportation option here in LA. Its not an understantement to say it would transform the city. Ridership is not going to

I would LOVE to have a viable public transportation option here in LA. Its not an understantement to say it would transform the city. Ridership is not going to increase though until the city deals with the massive safety and sanitation concerns that exist at present. I’ve witnessed fights, muggings, people defecating themselves, drug use, and open harassment while riding. The trains are unpredictable to schedule around and on the average, slower than driving. There’s also the last mile problem which is starting to get solved by scooter services and such but if you look at a city like London you get a glimpse of what could be.

njarboe 8y ago
Roads are public transit. Used by the public for transportation. Roads that were open to everyone (the public) were the first major implementation of public transit. This allowed everyone with a good path for quick walking and carts (horses and carriages, if you were wealthy). Fast, private, point-to-point transportation is what people desire (that is what walking is) and I don't think they are wrong wanting that option. Historically people in LA love their cars and the fact that cars allows most people in LA to own a piece of land (your home is your castle) while still being part of one of the largest cities on earth. Not every place needs to try and be like all the others. Los Angeles is not like London and should not want to be. Give me something different. How about a LA basin wide measure that supports the building of a huge network of tunnels that can carry electric trains, buses and small vehicles a la "The Boring Company". I bet people would get behind that if the city leaders could, for just a moment, get past the idea that evil "cars" (ie. their constituents) would use those tunnels along with "public" transport.
diffeomorphism 8y ago
Which lines? I mostly use the red, purple and expo lines whose schedule is fairly frequent and easy to schedule around. Also, I have not really noticed these concerns in my rides. The worst thing so far were some people selling incense on the train and some drunk people arguing on their way home.
angmarsbane 8y ago
A man was pissing on my bus stop at Venice/Centinela a few weeks ago. This bus stop is right next to a Starbucks, everyone can pee at Starbucks and he was pissing on the bus bench.
- vikingcaffiene 8y ago
  Heh. Small world. I’m at the Starbucks you’re talking about all the the time.
  - notus 8y ago
    Small world indeed. I'm currently urinating on the bus stop outside of that starbucks.
HillaryBriss 8y ago
> I’ve witnessed fights, muggings, people defecating themselves, drug use, and open harassment while riding. +1 don't forget very loud music playing out of someone's boombox (no doubt for the benefit of all other riders) another joyful aspect of some of LA's public transport lines is you never know what you're sitting on: some guy who's just pissed himself may have been the previous occupant of your seat, or someone was walking on it or propping their feet on it. OTOH, I've been quite impressed with the cleanliness and comfort of one of the Commuter Express bus lines.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]

njarboe 8y ago

Roads are public transit. Used by the public for transportation. Roads that were open to everyone (the public) were the first major implementation of public transit. This allowed everyone with a good path for quick walking and carts (horses and carriages, if you were wealthy). Fast, private, point-to-point transportation is what people desire (that is what walking is) and I don't think they are wrong wanting that option. Historically people in LA love their cars and the fact that cars allows most people in LA to own a piece of land (your home is your castle) while still being part of one of the largest cities on earth. Not every place needs to try and be like all the others. Los Angeles is not like London and should not want to be. Give me something different. How about a LA basin wide measure that supports the building of a huge network of tunnels that can carry electric trains, buses and small vehicles a la "The Boring Company". I bet people would get behind that if the city leaders could, for just a moment, get past the idea that evil "cars" (ie. their constituents) would use those tunnels along with "public" transport.

diffeomorphism 8y ago

Which lines? I mostly use the red, purple and expo lines whose schedule is fairly frequent and easy to schedule around. Also, I have not really noticed these concerns in my rides. The worst thing so far were some people selling incense on the train and some drunk people arguing on their way home.

angmarsbane 8y ago

A man was pissing on my bus stop at Venice/Centinela a few weeks ago. This bus stop is right next to a Starbucks, everyone can pee at Starbucks and he was pissing on the bus bench.

vikingcaffiene 8y ago
Heh. Small world. I’m at the Starbucks you’re talking about all the the time.
- notus 8y ago
  Small world indeed. I'm currently urinating on the bus stop outside of that starbucks.

HillaryBriss 8y ago

> I’ve witnessed fights, muggings, people defecating themselves, drug use, and open harassment while riding. +1 don't forget very loud music playing out of someone's boombox (no doubt for the benefit of all other riders) another joyful aspect of some of LA's public transport lines is you never know what you're sitting on: some guy who's just pissed himself may have been the previous occupant of your seat, or someone was walking on it or propping their feet on it. OTOH, I've been quite impressed with the cleanliness and comfort of one of the Commuter Express bus lines.

deleted 8y ago
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