How many people in OC don't have a car? (Santa Ana: fit in, apartment complex)

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

Lots of people have more time than money. The hour or so commute can be used reading or watching videos.

Which is why there's more people in Carl's Jr. uniforms than suits on the bus.

[wrcousert]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Which is why there's more people in Carl's Jr. uniforms than suits on the bus.

You don't have to be a minimum wage earner to appreciate an extra $600 per month.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

You don't have to be a minimum wage earner to appreciate an extra $600 per month.

$600/mo is worth a lot less to the executive, doctor, or commercial real estate broker than the guy flipping burgers.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

There are lots of people who choose to use transit. Not as many as you might find in New York City or Chicago, but they do exist.

A 30 day OCTA pass costs only $69 ($2.27 per day). It can cost over $600 per month to own and operate a modestly priced car (car payments, insurance, gas, maintenance).

If the person riding the bus also owns a car, insurance and car payments are still costs he would be making. Only gas and service/maintenance (oil changes, tires, etc) are lower.

[wrcousert]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

$600/mo is worth a lot less to the executive, doctor, or commercial real estate broker than the guy flipping burgers.

The average person is not an executive or a doctor. There are some who spend that much a day on lunch.

[wrcousert]

Originally Posted by Charles

If the person riding the bus also owns a car, insurance and car payments are still costs he would be making. Only gas and service/maintenance (oil changes, tires, etc) are lower.

The alternative would be to rent a car when needed. Enterprise starts at about $20 per day.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

The alternative would be to rent a car when needed. Enterprise starts at about $20 per day.

I just don't think too many people find public transportation augmented by car rentals to be practical in Orange County or most places in the US. In only a few places (Manhattan, DC, Frisco)do a high percentage of people exclusively use public transportation. Probably 95% or more of the US uses a personally owned vehicle.
Personally owned vehicles are more convenient, more private, cleaner, more personal, and more flexible.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by wrcousert

The average person is not an executive or a doctor. There are some who spend that much a day on lunch.

The average person is too busy and goes in too many different directions to deal with public transportation. You say how expensive a car is, but waiting for a bus has its costs too. Most people are more than willing to trade some money for time.

[goozer]

You need urban density to live effectively without a car. Cities spend good money on public transit to service a dense urban core. Also, with a dense urban area come all the amenities most people would need. Orange County is a suburban area. It has a large population evenly distributed through the entire county for the most part. But nowhere does it have the requisite density and public transit infrastructure to make it worthwhile to live without a car. I will also add that the best thing about OC is the outdoor recreation and it is easier to get to the trailhead or beach by hopping in your car and driving there directly.

[ysr_racer]

Lots of hobos don't have cars. I'm guessing most crack heads too.