Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In

This weekend the Times profiled one of Los Angeles' many bus riders, focusing on a young woman who chooses the bus over the car to commute from the Westside to Beverly Hills.  The rider, Jacquelyn Carr, authors her own blog about her riding experiences at Snob on a Bus, and both the blog and the Times article tell a charming story of a woman who first takes the bus because she feels she has to and ends up integrating herself into the culture on the Westside part of the Metro 720.

While the Times piece is hardly groundbreaking stuff for someone that reads transit blogs or rides the bus; it is great to see Los Angeles' paper of record delve in to transportation culture beyond the culture of the car.  As someone who has been critical of much of the Times' coverage in recent months, especially Ari Bloomekatz who wrote this piece, it's great to read a piece that reads as though it were part of SF Streetsblog's "Muni Rider Profile," or a Fred Camino piece at The Source than a Times story.

Consider these couple of paragraphs, that describe riding the bus as a fun place to be:

They agreed to leave for home at 1:30 a.m. Carr had never taken the busthat late and was not sure what to expect. Stumbling but rushing, thegroup got to the bus stop just before the coach pulled away.

They piled into the front seats and started talking with the driver.Before long, the bus was echoing with alcohol-fueled hoots andlaughter. The driver seemed to take great pleasure in playfullyneedling the group, at one point calling them "idiots" for being soboisterous. The group called her Patty, even though Carr can't rememberwhether that was her real name.

The group told "Patty" she deserved an award for best late-night busdriver. And the ride home ended up being the most memorable part of theevening.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

Give Input on Metro Sepulveda Rail Plan to connect Valley and Westside

Metro is still deciding between some low-performing monorail alternatives and some high-performing heavy rail alternatives. What do you want to see?

July 10, 2025

Whittier Councilmember Fernando Dutra Is New Metro Board Chair

Board Chair Dutra: "[Metro is] not just a train and a bus company. We also manage projects on the freeways... Our projects along the 5, the 605, 91, and 105 Freeway are very very important... I'll be focusing on making sure we keep our freeways moving freely."

July 9, 2025

Covina Residents Call on City for Protections from Immigration Raids

Community members took to city council to share their frustrations and demands.

July 8, 2025
See all posts