As Gas Prices Go Up, Public Transportation is the Best Way to Travel.

by Blaise Nutter

Despite its reputation, the Metro has its purposes and could easily fit into a family's routine. Here are a few useful tips:

1. Know the Schedules. Riding public transportation is kind of an art form, one that involves a form of travel and, you know, no actual art. The key is to learn the bus and train schedules and know where you have flexibility. My first day attempting public transport, I missed a bus by a few minutes and I sat down to wait, not knowing the next one didn't come for another hour. Some buses come regularly, like the Orange Line across the Valley (every five minutes), some don't, and you need to know the schedules to make efficient use of your time.

2. Know the Routes. The MTA has a great website (mta.net) that can help you plan your trip, but sometimes it's smart to look at alternate routes. Using a map and timetables, you might find an express bus or a train that makes up time even while traveling farther. I was taking a single bus ride from work to North Hollywood, but then I found a combination of two other buses that could get me there much faster because they didn't stop half as much.

3. Buy a Metro Pass. With gas prices vaguely reminiscent of the national debt, this is a must. Available at supermarkets and other locations, a day pass costs $3 (single rides are $1.25) and helps you avoid significant back-pain caused by carting around all that change you don't spend anywhere else. Monthly passes go for $52 ($20 for students). Cheaper than gas, right?

4. Use The Metro For Daily Commutes, Not Individual Errands. Once again, the metro doesn't replace a car in versatility, but it can make those everyday journeys to school, work, summer camp, or baseball practice reasonably quick, cheap, and without parking.

5. Leave the iPod at Home. Listening to music on the train means you could miss your stop and, more importantly, it separates you from the world around you. When riding the bus, take a look outside, watch the city go by, and you'll be surprised how quickly you'll learn the geography of a city so historically difficult to master. While I know it violates Angeleno Code 101, you could even talk to the person sitting next to you. And if they somehow get bored of you, whip out a book and get some reading time in.

It's important to know that the metro is perfectly safe for children. You can ride it together and even treat it like a kind of adventure. And hey, it's good for the environment, too - always a good lesson to teach a child. So jump on the bus, bring the kids, and travel the city, metro-style.