How good is public transportation in LA? (West Hollywood: house, live in) - Los Angeles - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

BarcelonaFan · 05-31-2012, 10:05 AM

Someone on this forum mentioned that the Metro subway in LA is just as good as the T in Boston. If this is true then that is good news because the T in Boston was extremely helpful and made life a lot easier for those without a car.

I won't have a car in LA for the first couple of months until I get mine shipped. I'll probably be staying in North Hollywood and was wondering just how difficult would it be to get around town using the Metro?

I've been told it's safe and to not act like an idiot on it to avoid trouble. But the difference between LA and Boston is that Boston was tiny in comparison to LA and getting off the T to walk to your destination was a cakewalk. LA is much bigger and it seems like it would require even a distant walk to get to your destination after getting off the Metro.

subPrimeTime · 05-31-2012, 10:18 AM

The subway system is definitely not as extensive as Boston or DC or NYC, but the bus system is pretty good, and can definitely help fill in the gaps where the subway falls short.

BRinSM · 05-31-2012, 10:23 AM

the subway does not cover much of the city, but the bus routes do. mind you, the buses sit in the same traffic that LA is notorious for and since LA is such a spread out city, it can take a considerable amount of time to reach your destination by bus.

BarcelonaFan · 05-31-2012, 10:25 AM

So give myself a good two hours before I reach my destination. If I have to be at work at 2pm, leave the house at noon?

BRinSM · 05-31-2012, 11:10 AM

it depends on where work is located. if you live in north hollywood and work downtown, it will take less than 30 minutes on the subway. however, if you work in santa monica, 2 hours sounds about right.

BarcelonaFan · 05-31-2012, 11:33 AM

That's fine. No different than Houston really.

munchitup · 05-31-2012, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarcelonaFan

Someone on this forum mentioned that the Metro subway in LA is just as good as the T in Boston. If this is true then that is good news because the T in Boston was extremely helpful and made life a lot easier for those without a car.

I won't have a car in LA for the first couple of months until I get mine shipped. I'll probably be staying in North Hollywood and was wondering just how difficult would it be to get around town using the Metro?

I've been told it's safe and to not act like an idiot on it to avoid trouble. But the difference between LA and Boston is that Boston was tiny in comparison to LA and getting off the T to walk to your destination was a cakewalk. LA is much bigger and it seems like it would require even a distant walk to get to your destination after getting off the Metro.

You might be referring to me since I have experience in both cities. I think what I said was the bus system here is much better than Boston's. Boston has much better rail coverage - pretty much all of the city except for some southern parts are accessible. LA still has a way to go, and unfortunately North Hollywood is at the very northern tip of the transit system, so almost all trips will be on the long side.

That being said my wife and I share a car (which I have no daytime access to) and I have never had a problem walking or taking PT to all of my destinations.

BarcelonaFan · 05-31-2012, 01:14 PM

Quote:

That being said my wife and I share a car (which I have no daytime access to) and I have never had a problem walking or taking PT to all of my destinations.

This is the answer I was looking for! Thanks. So it's OK to ride the bus? Outside of a few areas in Houston, the bus system here is bonkers. Horrible and somewhat dangerous.

BarcelonaFan · 05-31-2012, 01:29 PM

I should also note that I am bringing a bike, as in bicycle not motor. Could I park the bike around town or would it get jacked pretty easily? Can one get around town with a bike? I do not mind riding for miles.

I also do not mind long expansive walks. In Boston I tended to walk from Harvard Square to the Commons. That was a long ass walk too. I usually took the T on the way back though.

munchitup · 05-31-2012, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarcelonaFan

I should also note that I am bringing a bike, as in bicycle not motor. Could I park the bike around town or would it get jacked pretty easily? Can one get around town with a bike? I do not mind riding for miles.

I also do not mind long expansive walks. In Boston I tended to walk from Harvard Square to the Commons. That was a long ass walk too. I usually took the T on the way back though.

The buses are pretty reliable and generally aren't dangerous though there are definitely more crazies on the buses here than in Boston. I've never felt in danger but I've seen some homeless people get into a (verbal) fight, which forced the bus driver to pull over and kick them off.

I don't cycle myself but see plenty of people out here doing it, I'm sure if you lock up your bike when you go places it would be fine. I've heard it takes some practice cycling in the heavy traffic but I would imagine bike infrastructure is better in LA than in Houston but worse than Boston.

As far as long walks, if you are used to doing that LA is perfect - most of it is pretty flat (especially North Hollywood and the Valley) and the weather is really mild, except in the summer the sun can be kind of brutal. Not that it is too hot, but the sun is really bright.

Last weekend my wife and I walked from about Hollywood and Vine to the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood (near Crescent Heights I think). That's about 4.5 miles and honestly I probably could have gone for a few more miles. We took the bus back though.