Commuting By Train? (Burbank: apartments, trip , job)

[MitchMiller]

I had ask a question on another thread about commute time between LA and Burbank and was one poster replied probably 1 hour. Why did nobody mention the train? I discovered the Burbank train station is just 4 blocks from the prospective office. The train ride is just 20 minutes and the monthly fare is only $110. That's a real deal.
Does anyone use the train? Does it run on time. I see there are two lines if you're commuting between Burbank and LA. The only downside I see is that you better be at the train station on time or you're going to wait a long time for the next one.
Anyone else out there doing this commute by train? Are there any affordable apartments downtown with walking distance of Union Station?

[UB50]

I didn't see your original post but I have commuted by Metrolink to Burbank. I think there are only one stop between Burbank and Union Station -- unless you are catching the train near the airport.

Most of the time, the trains are on time. However, this being LA, things happen and everyone here is late one time or another. (I've driven downtown and been stopped at the train tracks for over an hour for a train -- so you see what I mean.) LA gets weather, accidents and gawd knows what else, and unless you walk to your job, you'll probably find yourself delayed at some point. Employers usually understand this though because this is how the city is. I've never worked anywhere here where people were 100% on time all the time.

I would suggest living in Burbank rather than downtown simply because there are a lot of apartments in the area of Media Center in Burbank. Downtown is starting to get more housing but I don't know how cheap or available it is.

[motoman]

A friend of mine lives in Valley Village and used to work downtown. He lived 1 mile from the train station in Valley Village. He had a 2-3 block walk to the office from the station downtown. He was 15 miles from work. His total commute time was 45 minutes to an hour. That's odd that your trip is only 20 minutes. I wonder what the differences are.