Public Transportation and Smart Growth

pinto

(106,886 posts) Wed Dec 21, 2011, 05:15 PM Dec 2011

Notes from a Public Transportation newbie of sorts (me) -

Due to medical conditions I've not driven for ~ 6 months. So I'm a public (and foot) transport guy. Living near our downtown, walking has always been a routine for me but for errands/trips beyond the neighborhood I'm now using our local bus system.

Takes a bit of planning, but it's working great.

I've gotten a disabled pass (1/2 price off regular fare, good for a month). Most all of the lines run every 30 minutes and are geared to local "high use" areas (duh). It's set up to serve the city's population centers efficiently. The city's transportation website provides an overall system map, plus individual route info.

For a small, fairly compact city it's an effective alternative to driving. Not sure how it goes in larger cities but this one is a great resource.

(aside) Realize first hand now the importance of funding support for public transportation systems.

12 replies

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Notes from a Public Transportation newbie of sorts (me) - (Original Post) pinto Dec 2011 OP

We don't even own a car. RandySF Dec 2011 #1

Same here. Sold mine and it's fine. Most of what I do is in-town as it is. pinto Dec 2011 #4

Do you have to ride on a bus part of the way? JDPriestly Dec 2011 #5

Coast Starlight runs LA -> Oakland. From there you can catch a local train across the bay to SF. pinto Dec 2011 #6

Good. I may just try it. Thanks. JDPriestly Dec 2011 #7

Like Manhattan, a car in SF is an absolute luxury, not an option for most. NYC_SKP Dec 2011 #12

what city are you in? CreekDog Dec 2011 #2

SLO CA pinto Dec 2011 #3

Quite amusing to see a 3 page FAQ on that site about their double-decker bus nxylas Dec 2011 #8

LOL. Yeah, it was a big deal when they first introduced it. pinto Dec 2011 #9

Have you considered a bike, understanding you stated medical conditions so perhaps not an option Kennah Dec 2011 #10

SLO's becoming more and more bike friendly, supportive. Really good to see. pinto Dec 2011 #11

RandySF

(70,614 posts)

1. We don't even own a car.

Reply to pinto (Original post)

Wed Dec 21, 2011, 05:26 PM

Dec 2011

And while no system is perfect, have no problems getting around town.

pinto

(106,886 posts)

4. Same here. Sold mine and it's fine. Most of what I do is in-town as it is.

Reply to RandySF (Reply #1)

Thu Dec 22, 2011, 03:30 AM

Dec 2011

SF or LA, I go AMTRAK.

JDPriestly

(57,936 posts)

5. Do you have to ride on a bus part of the way?

Reply to pinto (Reply #4)

Fri Dec 23, 2011, 04:10 AM

Dec 2011

How does that work for you?

I love Amtrak in Southern California but have been uncomfortable on the buses when forced to take them due to repairs on the Amtrak line. I've been thinking about taking the train to SF. Please advise if you can.

pinto

(106,886 posts)

6. Coast Starlight runs LA -> Oakland. From there you can catch a local train across the bay to SF.

Reply to JDPriestly (Reply #5)

Fri Dec 23, 2011, 12:55 PM

Dec 2011

All other options have a bus segment. I've done the Amtrak bus to San Jose and train into SF, which was OK. Prefer the Starlight though.

Check out http://www.amtrak.com

JDPriestly

(57,936 posts)

7. Good. I may just try it. Thanks.

Reply to pinto (Reply #6)

Fri Dec 23, 2011, 06:23 PM

Dec 2011

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)

12. Like Manhattan, a car in SF is an absolute luxury, not an option for most.

Reply to RandySF (Reply #1)

Thu Dec 29, 2011, 12:06 PM

Dec 2011

SF is NOT car-friendly, it's worse than NY.

I lived in manhattan for 8 years without a car, really didn't miss it and only once rented a car for some vacation.

That entire time I kept a car in California because you can't NOT have a car in California.

Unless you live in a pedestrian and public transit friendly place like SF.

CreekDog

(46,192 posts)

2. what city are you in?

Reply to pinto (Original post)

Wed Dec 21, 2011, 07:54 PM

Dec 2011

pinto

(106,886 posts)

3. SLO CA

Reply to CreekDog (Reply #2)

Thu Dec 22, 2011, 03:27 AM

Dec 2011

http://www.slocity.org/publicworks/transit.asp

nxylas

(6,440 posts)

8. Quite amusing to see a 3 page FAQ on that site about their double-decker bus

Reply to pinto (Reply #3)

Sat Dec 24, 2011, 03:11 AM

Dec 2011

At least for a Brit like me.

pinto

(106,886 posts)

9. LOL. Yeah, it was a big deal when they first introduced it.

Reply to nxylas (Reply #8)

Sat Dec 24, 2011, 10:02 AM

Dec 2011

(back story) It's used on the two lines whose ridership is ~ 75% Cal Poly students. The university provides a healthy subsidy to the bus system - many students live off campus and ride for free.

Kennah

(14,465 posts)

10. Have you considered a bike, understanding you stated medical conditions so perhaps not an option

Reply to pinto (Original post)

Sun Dec 25, 2011, 05:12 PM

Dec 2011

A recumbent trike is the route many go with health conditions who still want to bike. SLO appears to have ideal biking weather.

pinto

(106,886 posts)

11. SLO's becoming more and more bike friendly, supportive. Really good to see.

Reply to Kennah (Reply #10)

Sun Dec 25, 2011, 07:10 PM

Dec 2011

Not an option for me just now.

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