Think of what we could do in Los Angeles if we supplemented our Metro heavy rail and light rail lines, Metrolink regional rail lines, Amtrak intercity rail lines, and coming high speed rail,
with high quality BRT. We need both rail and bus rapid transit.
Who’s ridden TransMilenio in Bogotá?
@DanWentzel I don't disagree with you; subjecting people to transit in LA probably violates the Geneva Convention.
That said, it helps to remember that LA isn't really city-sized. LA County — which is NOT the whole metro area — is about twice the size of Delaware.
If you look at the SF Bay Area or Atlanta for example, there is a mostly concentrated city center well served by rail, and a bus system that flows out from that skeleton. You couldn't do that here.
@Jascollins Respectfully Disagree. People voted for Measure R (2008) and Measure M (2016) by over a 2/3 vote. Los Angeles County is ready to dump car culture and be multi-modal. We will still have millions of cars, but we will have alternatives. I have been living car free by choice in Los Angeles for 17 years.
@DanWentzel I agree that people WANT to go car-free, and it's impressive that you have managed it.
My contention is just that most people will have to change their lives SIGNIFICANTLY to manage it.
May I ask how YOU did? When I have had car troubles, I have routinely had 20 mile trips 3-hour transit times, and commuting was almost a second job of its own. Do you have suggestions for the rest of us?
@Jascollins I first picked a neighborhood to live in that was walkable. Everything I need -- grocery, gym, cinema, laundromat - is within a 15 minute walk/transit ride. I got a cart which I use for groceries and laundry.
Second, Metro goes everywhere, and is expanding as is Metrolink. I commute by transit which is my reading time, and save hundreds of dollars a month in car payment, insurance, gasoline, and parking. Sometimes I grab an Uber/Lyft/Taxi. Still cheper than owning a car.