Some interesting feedback on this post about my plan to hit the road later this month and follow some transit-goers on their commutes.
Here’s one, reader DS, who lived in San Diego for 30 years and never drove a car.
“I have many stories,” he said.
Now DS lives in the Bay Area. He says his transit commute is now between two and two-and-a-half hours, compared to a 40-minute car ride that could take more than an hour in bad traffic.
Here’s a bit of his San Diego experience:
Like riding 10-15 miles on a bike (El Cajon/Santee) to the SDSU area to see my parents, or riding a bike from North Park to Point Loma to Work at Price Club. I did this because bus service didn’t run where or when I needed it to. …
I do know that SDSU area to Escondido takes decades (Literally 3+ hours) on weekends and is in some places non existent. Almost all busses go out through downtown but even then it takes awhile to get anywhere.
And, another reader, KH, said he chatted for more than an hour a few years ago with someone promising to reduce his commuting time. Eventually, he says, she admitted transit wouldn’t help him.
He lives in an area northwest of Lakeside and works in Kearny Mesa. He said the transit accommodations, at least at that time, would require him to take the trolley downtown first. “[The transit rep] and I agreed that a 2-and-a-half hour commute each way was a bit excessive — like 5 hours spent each day on either a bus or trolley was productive?” he says.
Any other stories to share? Anyone happy with a bus or Coaster or trolley commute? Shoot me your thoughts — just click my name below.