ACBTF:
ja: ah cool....go chat =P
at: lol
at: eye candy, you don't talk to eye candy, that's like talking to your steak
ja: haha i talk to my steak O_O
at: and didn't i always tell you that you needed to be medicated?

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This entry is about public transportation, however, this primary paragraph is about something else that I've been thinking about...

I always wondered why Mt. SAC didn't turn the back lots (that would be parking lots F and H [technically a side parking lot] for those of you who actually need to have a proper point of reference) into a parking structures. As is the case with most schools in need of space, instead of building outward, you build upward. It would solve the need (if ever) for more places to build classrooms and give parking a much needed breather. I personally don't drive, I take public transportation, but I do take rides from kindly friends once in a while, everyone knows finding a parking space can be hellish. And another thing, I know it would be diffcult to implement, but why not give students more incentive to ride public transportation? Why not shoulder most of the costs when using public transportation? Of course, that would also lead to a whole new ballgame as most of our public transportation in SoCal isn't the best.

I'm going to name 3 places with great public transportation, San Francisco, New York, and (surprise) Orange County (and yes, I've used public transportation in all 3 areas, they are wonderful -- in terms of getting you where you need to go and back). I'm sure there are probably other areas with BETTER plans than this, but these are the ones that I've experienced personally. But first an insight in the public transportation around the Mt. SAC area...

If you want to get from point A to point B, you ride bus X, which will cost you a flat rate of $1.00, a round trip comes out to $2.00. Not too bad. However, as there is not bus that runs directly down Grand Avenue (Why? It's a major road that leads to numerous other cities!) you usually have to dish out another $0.50 for a transfer add another $0.05 depending on the bus company. Financially, it comes out to this (let's use my transportation habits as a model), I ride the bus 4 times a week (with transfers) it translates to $12.00 a week. Four weeks a month translates to $48.00 a month, which (to a typical person who fills up on gas) translates to about one full tank of gas, give or take a few dollars. It's quite cheap, right? But let's put things in better perspective now and you will see why I love the public transportation in those three different areas.

First of all, in San Francisco they issue out a timed pass for $1.00. With this pass you will be able to ride the bus or the metro for a set period of time (and it's a generous amount of time!). The amount this would save you, $1.00 a day, depending on the time you would be spending doing whatever you have to do.

Second, New York, the cost is a tad more than what we pay in CA, BUT the thing is the area is thoroughly permeated with public transportation, from buses to subways, you will be able to get from point A to point B with relative ease (we're not going to talk about the crowds and such, let's keep it simple since we're not touching upon just the simple concentration of people in a set area).

Third, in Orange County, there are certain schools that issue out bus passes connected with people's school IDs! Meaning, I swipe my school ID on the bus scanner and voila, I have unlimited rides on the buses! Of course this would require an intense collaboration between the schools and the bus companies, but it's heaven!

Public transportation is a very feasible alternative to driving to school and going to other places. It reduces traffic, reduces the stress of looking for parking, saves gas, saves the planet, and let's face it, saves you money to buy more PS3 games... or books, if you really want to be practical. This is a known fact, but it's hard to pick the better alternative when (even though the cost is less) it takes you approximately 1 hour to get from point A to get to point B which would normally be only a 15 minute car ride.