Tell Your Transit Troubles Here

" G - Really? Hmmmm - something in your story doesn't jive. I ride metro-rail frequently and ALWAYS see extremely clear signs that explain "one ticket, one line, one way" - that is, unless you purchase an all-day pass. If you went to a movie theater that played multiple movies, do you think that the one ticket you bought would get you all day access to every movie being shown? I can't imagine that "cultural" differences excuse you. This is a pretty simple premise for travel all over the world. Buy a ticket and they take you somewhere (not everywhere).

And, since we're talking plainly here - what is it about folks dressed in Sheriff's uniforms, carrying guns and badges that eludes your understanding of authority? It seems pretty easy to me that if someone in such a uniform were to ask you to show your ticket, they are probably the guy/girl you need to show it to.

I apologize for my lack of sympathy if you are impaired in some way that makes this tough for you - but if you're not, then get real will ya?! "

" I think no matter how much the MTA likes to toot their own horn about what a great system we have in this city, it always fall short. First off, making riders buy multiple boarding passes to transfer from one line to another is complete idiocracy. A One-Way ticket is good for a couple, if not few hours, what is the point of this if you are only going to be forced to buy another ticket to transfer to another line/bus. Our transit system is not set up for the people that actually need to use it on a daily basis-case in point, why does the 704 have to turn at Vignes and Cesar Chavez before letting passengers off, forcing them to cross at a very busy intersection. I'm no genius but I would say it makes more sense to let them off on the Union Station side then mr. unhappy bus operator can be on hisway. In one word system Sucks! I would challenge the mayor and any other elected officials to try and use the transit system for one whole day to go about their business and see how nice and wonderful transit really is-my guess, they wouldn't last an hour! "

" Well stated bigphatcatlover! "

" Today I saw a man in a black satin jacket with a yellow "Fare Inspector" badge on the shoulder just outside the 7th/Metro subway station. Aside from that badge he looked like a security guard. I was under the impression that the sheriffs did fare enforcement, and have seen them quite recently policing the platforms and stations, so who was he? Is this a new position? What authority do they have? I wonder if the person who confronted G. was one of these inspectors, because a sheriff's uniform *is* pretty unmistakable. "

" yes, I was stopped by the ticket inspectors who looked like security guards: they were wearing black pants, black shoes, and black jackets with only a yellow patch. Tthere was only a tiny yellow patch to explain that they were ticket inspectors. They had no badge, no rank, and no other forms of identification on their uniforms. "

" I have seen the Sheriff's department enforce the posted laws in the past. Therefore, it appears that we may now have a rogue team of individuals preying
upon the bus patrons, perhaps due to the
economy.

I would have to agree with G. Griffin. "

" Thankfully I've never had to deal with a fare inspector. My complaints about the current MTA train/bus system are:

1. From inside the train it is hard to tell what is the next stop. This could be addressed 2 ways (preferably both.) A- The signage in the subway stations should be clearly visible from inside the train. B- Each train car should have an electronc display that tells you the upcoming/current stop (buses have this already.)
Several times I have missed my stop.

2. The ticket vending machine should allow you to purchase tickets for multiple legs of your journey. This is because the buses don't give change or process credit/debit cards.

3. An empty bus is an insult to rush-hour traffic. It enrages me when one or more buses sporting a "not in service" head-sign bypasses a crowded stop--especially during rush hour! These times are especially when we need more buses/drivers, not fewer. Possible ways to schedule the shifts/routes in order to minimize this: A- turn some buses around on a short route. B- give the drivers longer breaks in the middle of the day. C- hire some rush-hour-only drivers with shorter shifts.

4. The $5 day pass is too expensive. My commute requires 4 legs (2 in the morning, 2 in the evening.) "

" I agree with catlover. The rules concerning fare payment are clearly posted...everywhere - on the markees; there are signs.

What I object to, however, is the attitude of the fare inspector. He could certainly use some training in people skills. "

" Yes I've never had probs knowing Im supposed to have a ticket.

I do agree about the Blue Line and the Red Line, had to. ask where the ticket machine was.

My biggest whine about the subway...Im always having to ask "are we there yet?" stations aren't well marked nor are the trains.

You can hop a red line thinking you're going downtown but oops you'll soon be heading for hollywood & beyond "

" The MTA needs to get it together....They are never going to attract the masses of mid to upper class to ride as in the New York system. The system is not as easy as to navigate as the one in NY nor is it rider friendly- including fares and staff. Stations are not clearly listed, and I can understand how others may be confused by the fare rules. The other issue is the parking stations.... Permits required, but no clear statement of how to get them. There should be more regulation of drug addicts and homeless people harrassing patrons on the trains and in the waiting platforms. As an upper class female riding the train I am always aware of my surroundings, carry a stun gun, and am not afraid to use it. In fact- last week I was being harassed on a train and I had to pull out the stun gun and say that if this man took one step closer to me that I would use it. I got off the train at the next stop, and found "Ticket checkers" but no sheriffs or any other help which left me totally disgruntled. I'll be driving from now on. Having ridden the train in NY for years... nothing like this has happened. "

" Allow taxis to meet the Flyaway bus arriving from LAX. It can be difficult to walk to the front of the building with luggage. City Hall must make the change. "

" Want to increase ridership?? All you have to do build parking structures at the North Hollywood and Universal stations. 3 times this month I could not find parking and ended up driving downtown -- and I know I'm not alone.

I can't believe that the 2nd biggest city in the country born on the automobile overlooked this....? "

" It looks to me as if the police department is trying to fix the budget by giving tickets to pedestrians that are just trying to go across the street. I have seen two or three police officers waiting for people to go to the other side of the street, stoping them and giving them tickets even when the light is flashing green or yellow. We all are having some kind of financial problems but to try to fix the city budget like this is just unacceptable. "

" Will all the LA buses every go green! The sound they make is awful, and the polution horrific! The worst is when they drive by as you are walking down the street. You are immediately covered in filth! LA transit, please get electric busses!!!!!!!!!! "

" My problem with the MTA, specifically the Red line (which as a commuter I use daily) is the security factor. Every other major metropolitan area has turnstyles that are effective as well as a security guard POSTED at each station in a booth. MTA recently installed turnstyles, but still allows for passengers to pass through on the left. Unless there is something in the works that I'm not aware of... this recent installation is a complete waste of money!. This gives us the same problem that we started with...zero safety from crazies that congregate in the subway stations (I should note that I board at the Pershing Square station). I have seen old people get verbally assaulted and have had to intervene on more than one occassion. As a woman, not only is it dangerous, it's discouraging. I enjoy taking public transportation, I don't think you should have to be brave to utilize the metro system. Until they get the proper security in place, using the subway system is not going to be appealing to the masses. "

" Transferring from one train to another without having to break the bank for a day pass means you have to exit one train, run to the ticket booth, buy another one way ticket only to turn to see your train leaving the station and you being late for work or your next appointment. How does this help anyone? Or why do I have to leave the comforts of home 2 hours early just to be at work or on time to an appointment due to the idiotic ticket system not being rider friendly. And this is for a somewhat healthy person, what does someone due if they have a physical disability and need to transfer from one train to another. The only real option is to be forced to buy an overpriced day pass. This all needs to be thought out a little more clearly for the rider's benefit, don't you think. "

" whitney - almost all of MTA's buses operate on natural gas; you do not get "covered in filth" as you say when they drive past - please stop exaggerating unecessarily.

bigphatcatlover - I've been asked by apprantly plainclothes security folks on the Red Line for passes; and, yes, they do give plenty of attitude when you ask them to show their badges - the regular sheriff's officers in uniform are much better "

" Daily Rider - the $5 Day Pass is one of the cheapest day passes in the nation. NY is $8.25. Boston is $9. DC is $7.80. Atlanta is $8.50. SF is $13. Chicago is $5.75.

Moe T - the turnstiles are "free spin" right now because the full conversion to TAP hasn't been made yet. You'll notice that there is only a TAP sensor on the turnstile. Until the conversion to TAP is complete, the turnstiles will look useless as they do today. I do agree with you, however, that it is a big waste of money. The money required to lease and maintain the turnstiles are significantly less than the revenue Metro loses on fare evaders... you can thank the Board Members for approving that one.

Mark - 3) You are right, and all of your suggestions are already in place. A "Not in service" bus doesn't necessarily mean it is going back to the bus yard- during rush hour, it is very likely going to a different route. Interline efficiencies are already used to maximize in service operations.
4) If the $5 day pass is too expensive, and you are commuting, then why don't you buy a monthly?

Bridget - there is a phone number below the "Permits Required" sign to contact. You could also go to Metro's website to get more info. Unfortunately, Univ City and NoHo are both sold out for reserved permits. There is plenty of free parking availability along the Orange Line, however.

GFK - taxis would clog up the already at capacity Transit Plaza. Where could you possibly be headed to from Union Station that there are no transit options available?

Rbay - parking structures are expensive (see City of LA's proposal to privatize a number of them). Transit oriented development is more efficient because it can permanently reduce auto trips. The fact that these lots are full is a testament to how we need to REDUCE our auto dependence.

LS - I agree with you that we need our elected officials to commit to taking transit on a consistent basis. It would be nice if more of our Board Members did that. The 704 used to go into the Transit Plaza, until it got too crowded in there. During rush hour, the Plaza gets very congested. So now the 704 and 728 stop at Vignes/Chavez instead.

Keith - I'm not sure how the signage is not sufficient enough. As you come down the escalators, you have one side that says Train to Union Station and the other side Train to North Hollywood or Wilshire/Western. When the train approaches, the electronic displays flash the train's destination, and the train also has destination signs on each car. There are plenty of maps in the giant display cases and in the rail cars. "

" Mark - if you are taking 4 "legs" or trips at $1.25, that is $5 - the same as a day pass. Did you not do the math on that one? "

" It's great to see filming in LA again and the additional revenue it generates as income for the city and its attendant businesses. But the impacts on public transit are a bit much. MTA buses don't stop at marked stops because there are movie trucks in front of them. For someone like me with mobility difficulties, this is a real problem. It is exacerbated because MTA doesn't announce they won't be stopping at a certain spot, they just fly right by it, and it's up to me to crawl back. There are monitors in the bus. If certain stops are to bypassed, the driver should announce, and the monitor should display, that the following stops are being bypassed today. In that way, I can get off and take a different option, like the Dash. It's simply irresponsible for the driver to go hauling down the street with no efforts to mitigate the impacts on passengers who have trouble navigating the incline of downtown streets. "

" Stephan - I don't know if you're trying to be "helpful" or if you're just a great big know-it-all, but just because you have opinions doesn't mean you know what's best for everyone.

The Taxi situation at Union Station, for instance. When returning from a trip, with luggage, at night ... it would be really nice to be able to get a cab without hauling your luggage across a street, into an elevator, all the way through Union Station, out the front door and then find the cab that's just sitting there with zip to do. I live in downtown and the Dash bus, which would drop me off in front of my door doesn't operate at night. MTA would work if I wanted to once again try to haul my luggage up the stairs of the bus and keep it out of everyone's way and then still have to walk several blocks though downtown at night, dragging luggage past the panhandlers and drug dealers. As a petite middle aged white woman, I might as well put a target on my forehead. So, what would be the problem with having a dispatcher of some sort that could call one of those waiting cabs to come pick up someone? But no, they've told me that they are not allowed to be there at all. Maybe the city could see the error in that logic?

And about comparing the day pass fare with cities like NYC, Atlanta, etc. What you fail to mention is that their system actually gets a person pretty close to where they need to go! Ours leaves a lot of holes, geographically. And tell me what a person is supposed to do once they get off at their stop. There isn't necessarily public transportation to their end destination. So, the value of that day pass isn't equal to the cities you compare our service/fares.

I don't have as much free time on my hands as you apparently do - so I am not going to address your comments to each and every soul who has posted on this blog - but maybe you should walk a mile in others shoes before you pass judgement on everyone else's situation. "

" On the executive level, why doesn't anyone care that driverfs are forced to drive fatigued? Don't you care about "safety first"? "

" YES--it is clearly Absurd that one has to "buy" a mew ticket at a TRANSFER point. This is Stupid--Other transit systems do not do it. Put a 2 and a half hour limit on tickets as well as showing what time it printed. End of story. "