Although there are many differences about places all around the world, the one thing that all major cities have in common is public transportation. There are many differences of what public transportation looks like and is made up of. The main kind of vehicles consists of trams, buses, metros, and taxis. All of these different types have their own positive and negative aspects in terms of convenience, pollution, and cost. People do not want to wait and rely on a late transportation system. A faster transportation system can be a dream that will come true, especially for people in Los Angeles, which is the largest and the most crowded city in California. In fact, LA has one of the largest subway transportation systems across the U.S. However, the numbers of subway riders are going down these days. The reduction in car prices may be one of the reasons of that phenomenon. “The quality, comfort and timeliness provided by our regional transit system will play a significant role in the number of people who will chose to leave their cars behind, helping to reduce our regional congestion”( ATTRACTIVE PUBLIC TRANSIT). The duration that people spend waiting for a subway might also be responsible for that. Indeed, there are many ways to the increase the number of subways riders. Fortunately, high gas prices will encourage people to use cheaper transportation mean. Moreover, if the subway is faster than other means of transportation, people will see a clear transportation benefit. In addition, people will be more likely to take advantage of this transportation system if the fee for riding the subway is relatively lower than other means. Lastly, there will be an environmental advantage if car use will be limited.
First, raising gas prices will force people to take a public transportation system. People need gas for cars and if the gas is expensive they are going to look for other transportation alternatives sooner or later. If gas prices increase, people will start to get tired of monitoring the distance they drive. “But more important is that the costs of gas is most important cost that is paid on a per-trip basis, so it is the chief cost that weighs on people when they make the decision to take an individual trip. (The other big ones are tolls and parking fees.) Thus, it is the main cost that can affect someone's decision to go for a drive.”(High Gas Prices: A Result of High Demand for Gas) Having a car is like dealing with a math equation each day. You have to calculate the distance you drive, adding the amount of gallons of gas you will need then totaling it out to the final price, which will equal the word expensive if the gas prices increase.
Second, if there is a faster service created then this will be the most convenient for people. If people want to go somewhere faster than they usually do then they should use the subway. In fact, if the travel time is reduced then that will be a major benefit. As a result, people who usually use the bus or drive their cars regularly will think twice and then probably choose the subway.
But why people like to drive their own cars rather than using public transportation? Some people believe that it is the fastest mean of transportation. “Many people have trouble getting to work and school on time when they use public transportation. Most employers and professors do not tolerate lateness and simply fine the tardy employee or dismiss the student from the day's lessons. Also, in many cases, the time schedule doesn't accommodate people's transportation needs. People are getting up much earlier than they should need to in order to get to work on time, then having to sit around for 30 minutes before they can begin work. Or, if they miss a train, they might wind up 30 minutes late. Adding more frequent service will ultimately suit the needs of these people by allowing them to arrive on time and to avoid wasting time.” (Dear City Council 1) People who don’t like to ride the subway often worry of being late. For instance, some people like to ride the bus, but it usually takes long time to reach the place they want. And since they don’t want to be late, so they drive their own cars. Lisa Mascaro, Staff Writer of the Valley Edition found someone who agrees with this. This person stated, “If people are getting to where they want to go faster, then there is a benefit. If the travel time is being reduced, then it is a benefit” (Lisa Mascaro1). Another person talked about how convenient the subway is. It can have a major impact in someone’s life and transportation can control your life. There are many people that use to ride that bus the switched which transportation system to use. For example, “ Roxanna Anderson said the subway could get her from her home near downtown to her job as an administrative assistant in Woodland Hills in about an hour - half the time it used to take on buses and the Red Line subway” (Lisa Mascaro, 2006.P1). If time is money, then time spent waiting for buses is money lost. People will be able to plan ahead, and their expectation that a train will come very soon after they arrive at the subway station will be fulfilled.
Third, there are many people that cannot afford to use public transportation systems because of the cost of the ride. If the price of the ride decreased, a lot of passengers will ride the subway. Some people look at the price of ride and how fast they can make it to their destination. If there is a decrease in the fee of subway ride then people will more likely use it. The transportation system in Los Angeles has to think about the people and their economic situation first. The people want something that is quick and has a good price. The fee to ride the subway should be fixed so that it can be affordable to anyone. “It will greatly benefit the lower and middle income customers who form the majority of the customer base” (Dear City Council 1).
Fourth, if environment were considered, then one of the less pollutant forms of public transportation would be the subway system. These vehicles normally run on tracks that are built in tunnels underground but can also be on ground or even high above the ground. Part of their convenience is that they are unaffected by traffic caused by other types of transportation. Since they are normally underground, and even the ones on ground level are totally independent from other traffic. However like with most buses they run on their schedule and only stop at predetermined destinations if more people rode the subway it could be a minor solution to lowering air pollution. Some people never stop to think about where pollution comes from or some people think that it does not exist. However, “Most of the world pollution comes from power plants, factories and motor vehicles” (Air Pollution 120). There are several cities that have many cars but, “Los Angeles is one of the most car-clogged cities” (Air Pollution 120).Even though power plants and factors contribute to pollution, “Motor vehicles are responsible for 80-88% of the air pollution” (Air Pollution 120). Pollution eats away at the ozone layer. If there is no ozone layer there will be no protection from the sun. The subway is a chance to improve the environment and prevent many harmful future effects.
Most people think sitting in the bus is boring. They can’t listen to music or to talk in the phone comfortably. Consequence, they decide to drive their own car. Also, people who ride the subway are not comfortable if they stay for long time. “Many people don't even consider using subways and buses for their transportation needs. People feel more comfortable riding in their cars or even like to walk. “It's unrealistic to believe people will chose to leave their cars behind for the drury experience of a 19th century subway model of public transportation that denies all that is good, attractive and unique about living in this city, region and century. A more appropriate model for our region’s public transit is our ferry system, which attracts an enthusiastic ridership, whether they are tourists or commuters, by providing an enjoyable experience of our region’s natural setting. We should aspire to quality in our daily movement through the city; comfort and enjoyment should be integral to our forms of public transit, and not just limited to the private automobile, amusement parks and our ferry system.” Other people are afraid to ride the buses and subways because they think the subways stops are uncomfortable and unsafe.” (ATTRACTIVE PUBLIC TRANSIT) In my opinion, government ought to make buss more interesting for riders. If they put in the most buss movie theater, a lot of people will ride the bus.
In conclusion, subway is perhaps the most convenient way of transportation in the big cities. In fact, it saves time, reduces pollution, and is an affordable mean as well. “Most people cannot afford a private car (or in dense urban areas the cost for parking), so walking, (motor) cycling or public transport are often the only options, with only the latter being viable for larger distances. Public transport can be faster than other modes of travel where a separate infrastructure is used and thus much higher speeds are possible than are permitted on roads.”(Public transport) Meanwhile, big cities mayors and governments should work on improving and promoting subway rides through provide people with on time service as well as cheap one.
