Alternative Transportation Options for the Summer Commuter

You have probably heard people say it is impossible to navigate through Los Angeles without a car. Sure the City of Angels extends a vast distance in every direction, but travelers do not always need to rely on personal vehicles for local ventures. With that said, it’s time to get out of your car and add some excitement to your summer commute. Or, if you still prefer the luxury of traveling in a vehicle, you can join others to help make the rush hour nightmare a pleasant experience.  Here are some useful ideas and tips to consider:

Tip 1- Biking 

Many adults spend a large number of our waking hours in an office environment or behind closed doors. If you have been coined as a “workaholic”, then you probably don’t get to enjoy much sunlight at all. Thus, a bicycle may be the wisest choice for tasting some of that outside air instead of the draft from your vehicle’s air conditioner. Plus, you can decrease or replace your cardio workout at the gym by commuting on your bike.

Safety Tips:  To keep abreast with bicycling laws and safety tips, it’s a good idea to bookmark the California Bicycle Coalition website as a point of reference.

Tip 2 – Metro Rail and Buses

The Los Angeles Metro system has expanded in scope and size in the past decade and with further improvements slated in the next coming years, Los Angeles has the potential to become one of the next great public transportation hubs in the United States. The Expo Line is Los Angeles newest light rail line connecting downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica (completion expected by 2014). With Phase One complete, the portion of the Expo Line connecting downtown Los Angeles to Culver City provides commuters with a ride time of only 25 minutes. Currently the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus Line 5 affords Expo Line commuters the ability to get into the heart of Century City. Utilizing the bus and light rail system in the Los Angeles area is an effective way to save money on the cost of gas, reduce traffic congestion, and support the system so that it can grow in the future. See how you can utilize the system in your own commute by planning your trip with the MTA Trip Planner.  

Tip 3 – Carpool

Maybe you don’t want to work up a sweat before the daily meetings with your clients, so biking is not an option for your commute. Or, perhaps you don’t live near an Expo Line stop. Whatever the case, carpooling is another efficient mode of travel. Here are just some of the reasons why you may want to consider carpooling:

·      Saving Money - You can save hundreds of dollars on gas each year. Carpooling also decreases the amount of wear-and-tear on your vehicle.

·      Carpool (HOV) Lanes - By carpooling, you have a free pass to enter the HOV lanes and speed up your trip.

·      Socializing - You can meet new people and strengthen relationships with fellow co-workers when you share a commute.

.

Tip 4 – Vanpool

Vanpooling is this bigger and better version of carpooling without the wear and tear on your personal vehicle. Commute 90067 recently received a subsidy courtesy of Metro LA to assist riders in keeping the costs low when leasing a van thus making it a realistic and cost-efficient mode of transportation to and from work. Speak with your employer and fellow co-workers to see if this is a viable avenue to explore and If you have any questions or would like to learn more about how Commute 90067 assists riders in organizing a vanpool, contact linda@cctmo.com or check out our FAQ page for commuters at: http://commute90067.com/pages/commuters

Regardless if you prefer to travel by bike, light rail, or car, commuting can be a fun and enjoyable experience. Use these helpful tips and ideas to assist Los Angeles with the continued reduction of traffic congestion. Be sure to visit www.Commute90067.com for other useful resources.