Recently I saw a homeless man urinating next to a busy elevator at the North Hollywood subway station in Los Angeles. Not something you look forward to seeing during or morning commute to work, or any other time. Just as he finished his business, a transit security officer walked up to him and tried to arrest him. The homeless man scuffled with the security officer and the officer had to use pepper spray on the man. Two other security officers ran to assist their partner so I assume they were able to subdue the homeless man.
I am advocate of mass transportation, specifically light rail and subways as they are the fastest and most efficient. I like it mostly because I am saving boat loads of cash now due to the high gas prices. It is also nice to know that it is beneficial for the environment.
Unfortunately, there are some negative aspects to public transportation. Crowded buses or trains, rude people, smelly people, uncomfortable seats.
And homeless people urinating in public.
Daibutsu, Kamakura
Daibutsu in Kamakura, June 2010. There were thousands of school kids visiting that day. It was still great fun.
...and pepper spray to subdue human beings...
ReplyDeleteI bet that homeless man had a lot of stories to tell.
Glad to hear you are able to use public transportation instead of wasting money to make already very profitable oil companies even more rich.
And...
That is a funny story!
Thank you for the comment Martin.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of how much money I am saving in not using gas, it makes the negatives worth it.
I did the math for myself and im saving over $6200 a year, or over $516 a month.
ReplyDeleteI take public transportation and I walk. Its good that im centrally located. Sure it took time to get use to it.
The planning everything factor and i can't be as spontaneous as when i had a car and could get anywhere in less than 20 minutes.
But i am less stressed, i can relax and also help the environment.
I am starting to see a more varied mix of users of public transportation, not just the elderly, poor or working class or single mothers.
I dont miss car insurance premiums,maintenance or being stuck in traffic on the 101 north or the 05 south :)
Tha savings are big. That's why I take the subway also.
ReplyDelete