Los Angeles County has more cars than people, making it the world’s most car populated urban city in the world. It is estimated that Angelino’s spend four full days each year stuck in traffic. Certainly peak times are not a crowd pleaser with relatively short commutes at other times of day taking a third less time. But Angelino’s take it in their stride as a necessary evil from the country’s 20th century boom and consequent love affair with the modern mode of transport. LA’s freeway system is actually quite an organized network with off-peak times being a pleasant and convenient way to get around the sheer vastness of the city.
Getting around all of Los Angeles without a car is difficult although not impossible. And although the city’s car culture receives all the fame and glory, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, including the relatively new Rapid Transit Rail System and bus network is the third busiest in the USA.
The Metro or Rapid Transit Rail System opened its first line in 1990 with five lines added in subsequent years and more planned in the future. The trains and stations are clean, efficient, and cheap, with the base fare costing just $1.50 for one trip. Traveling on these trains feels like you’ve discovered one of LA’s best-kept secrets. Unfortunately, the system is far away from being anything like New York’s or London’s underground train network, so destinations are fairly limited. The County’s bus network is expansive and covers all corners of the city. Most buses run 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
LA’s taxi fares can seem quite expensive in comparison to other cities especially if your driver is stuck in traffic. There are numerous taxi companies in the city, some are better than others but all profess at being the best.
