A Month On Nothing But Public Transit In L.A. 'Sucks'

Mariel Garza, columnist for the L.A. Daily news, spent 30 days leaving her car at home and taking the bus for nearly all trips.

1 minute read

July 5, 2006, 12:00 PM PDT

By David Gest


"MY monthlong experiment with public transportation ended Friday. Except for a couple of 'emergencies,' I left my car at home and traveled this city by bus for 30 extremely long days. This really big city."

"I went to work each day on the bus. If I needed groceries, I'd take the bus or harass a friend for a ride. When my sister came to town, I made her ride the subway to Hollywood, rather than shuttling her around sightseeing. When I had to go downtown for a fancy press awards dinner, I rode the bus in a spaghetti-strap dress."

"For the month of June, I experienced life in Los Angeles as many other people do without a car and hating it."

"I'd like to say this experience made me a better person. I'd like to report that I've made life-changing connections with other riders. I'd like to say that I've had profound revelations about the human condition or about the state of social justice. I'd like to say I've become a public-transportation convert."

"But I cannot say any of those things, not truthfully. The only thing like an epiphany to hit me was something I already knew: Riding the bus in Los Angeles sucks."

Thanks to C. P. Zilliacus

Sunday, July 2, 2006 in L.A. Daily News

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