These transcripts, arranged by certain characteristics, are from our trip to Riverside MetroLink (Downtown) and inquiring locals about their experiences with the transportation system. Catherine and Anthony travelled to the Riverside MetroLink to learn more about local opinions.
Riverside Local Interview #1
Cybersecurity Man
Anthony: Could you describe like how you use the train? Like why you use the train?
Man: Well I use the train because I don’t feel like sitting on the freeway for two and a half, three hours. I take it from Riverside to Union Station, then from Union Station, I transfer to the red or purple line, which is the subway. I go three stops to sit on the Metro, so I can then go upstairs to the Expo line and take that out to Culver City and then from there, I take an Uber for about five miles to get from the station over to where my office is. I only do this two or three days a week.
Anthony: What do you think about the train station or using public transit in general?
Man: The trains, I like a lot. I did it a long time ago in the 90s when it was buses from Union Station out towards Santa Monica. I was working at Sony. That was much worse.
Anthony: Do you work for a tech company or —
Man: Yeah. They also take advantage of — I have a setup where they take pre-tax dollars, so they pay a chunk of my train ticket with pre-tax dollars which lowers your income, but helps you in taxes.
Anthony: If there was anything that you would improve about the public transit system, would there be anything that you would want to improve?
Man: Right now, there’s a problem. They have purchased new engines, but the engines that they’ve been using on some of these trains are still really old from when they first started, so they break down quite often. They might need to also do more separation because I’ve been on several trains that have hit people.
Anthony: Oh wow! That’s pretty brutal.
Man: For three to four hours you’re stuck and of course it’s not good that you just hit somebody.
Anthony: So the primary reason why you use this is because the freeway is kind of jammed right.
Man: Oh yeah, yeah. You either have the 60 or the 10 as a choice. It’s reduced wear and tear on the car. I’m assuming that it probably does less pollution with the newer train engines I don’t know so much about the old ones.
Catherine: So you said use the train only two to three times a week. Do you mind me asking if you drive the other times or —
Man: No I just work from home. I actually probably could get away with one or two days a week just because I work in cyber security so all I need is an Internet connection. I just go in to make it so that management knows I love them and they continue to pay me.
Anthony: So you mentioned that you use like Uber right and you use it in the last section of your travel. What do you think about Uber?
Man: I see it as a bridge. It makes it so the taxis are generally 10 to 20 percent more, but at the same time, I don’t think that their necessarily being treated fairly. So I’m trying to figure out the balance. I’m actually looking forward to the automated cars, so I can just ride that, but I also, being in cyber security understand the possible pitfalls.
Anthony: What do you think about self-driving cars?
Man: No I’m fine with those, but they have to be done properly because like about two months ago they did a thing called Pwn2Own. So basically it’s a group of hackers that go to a conference and they have targets of opportunity. If you break into it, you own it. Well, they broke into a Tesla and they got a free car.
Anthony: Wow! A Tesla of all of all things too!
Man: Yeah basically it is a cell phone with four wheels. I’m looking forward to the self driving cars though especially as my daughter actually just graduated last year and she doesn’t like driving. Yeah,
Anthony: Yeah, I mean it would provide a nice convenient way of private cars without having to —
Man: Well you could also do shared cars where you could maybe summon one and it would be somebody’s from down the block because there’s plenty of them obviously and most of the time they’re sitting in a parking lot. But there’s going to be a need for some cultural changes and things because not everybody’s going to want to say, “Yeah, I’ll donate my car out like Model 3, they have that camera where you can actually see what’s going on inside.
Anthony: Well, ok you probably don’t want to know what’s going in there anyway.
Man: Well if you rent a car, summon it, it provides evidence that you’re not screwing around.
Anthony: Yeah, that makes sense. Are you local local to Riverside?
Man: Yeah, I actually live in Marine Valley. I drove my car over.
Anthony: Do you use any other forms of public transit besides the train?
Man: Not in general. I had, once in a while, when this breaks down, sometimes, they take you to another station and you have to summon an Uber if you don’t want to wait another few hours.
Anthony: Oh that makes sense. Is this your train?
Man: Oh yeah, it doesn’t leave until 6:15.
Anthony: Well that’s all the questions we had. We appreciate your time.
Riverside Local Interview #2
Middle-Aged Woman going to Irvine
Anthony: How often do you use the train and what do you use it for?
Woman: I use the train, Monday through Friday going to work and from work.
Anthony: Oh to work and from work and where is work?
Woman: I work in Irvine.
Anthony: Oh, you work in Irvine! We just came from Irvine! What do you think about the train system or using public transit?
Woman: It took some adjustment in the beginning because I wasn’t used to being around so many people but now I really like it and beats driving in the traffic, so I really enjoy it.
Anthony: What is your main concern, is it basically just sitting in traffic basically, is that why you —
Woman: Well, I did it originally to get out of driving and so much traffic, but I like that it helps the environment and allows me to rest on the way to work. So, those are some things I like and that’s why I have been taking it.
Anthony: If there’s anything that you would change about, I mean, do you see any problems with the current public transit station?
Woman: It’s not always on time. If it was on a better, more regulated schedule that would be perfect and if there’s more trains coming through more often.
Anthony: Do you use any other types of shared mobility like buses or Uber, anything like that?
Woman: No, just the train.
Catherine: How long does it take for you to go from here to Irvine?
Woman: Typically it takes me, because I get off at the Tustin station, it’s supposed to take an hour but it takes me an hour and 20, but if I drove, it would take me two hours.
Catherine: Yeah so it’s definitely worth it.
Woman: Yeah and in the evening, sometimes it could take longer if there’s an accident, so it’s definitely worth.
Anthony: Are you local to the area?
Woman: I just moved out of here. I originally was living in Orange County, but we got a house out here, so that’s why I ended up taking the metro.
Anthony: If you don’t mind me asking, was there a reason why you relocated or —
Woman: Housing prices, more for your money.
Anthony: Yeah that’s true. All right. Thank you so much for your time.
Riverside Local Interview #3
Man going to Anaheim for work
Anthony: What do you use the train for?
Man: For my work.
Anthony: For your work and where where is work.
Man: Anaheim.
Anthony: Oh in Anaheim, okay. Are you local to the area?
Man: Yea, I live in Riverside.
Anthony: So what do you think about the train system?
Man: It’s good.
Anthony: Would there be anything that you would want to change about the train system?
Man: Uh like one hour.
Anthony: One hour ok.
Catherine: If you don’t mind us asking, do you drive?
Man: No, I don’t. I use train only.
Anthony: Do you use any other modes besides the train? Do you use the bus?
Man: The bus and the train only.
Catherine: Would you say it’s convenient for you?
Man: Yeah.
Catherine: Do you feel safe and comfortable riding on the train?
Man: Yeah I feel safe. Better than driving.
Anthony: Yeah is it because of the traffic, right, on the freeways.
Man: Yeah, there is a lot of stops and it takes long.
Anthony: If there was like no traffic on the freeway, would you go on the freeway.
Man: Yeah.
Catherine: Have you ever used public transportation in other cities, like say Anaheim?
Man: Yeah. L.A., Fullerton, Santa Ana.
Catherine: And compared to here what are some differences that you noticed?
Man: In Santa Ana, the buses come every 15 minutes and here it’s not as often.
Catherine: Ok makes sense. Have you ever had a bad experience using public transportation here?
Man: Sometimes the trains are late.
Catherine: Yeah because I’ve heard that sometimes the engine breaks.
Anthony: Do you think that it’s affordable, the train fees?
Man: A little bit.
Anthony: OK yeah, I think that’s it. Thank you so much.
Riverside Local Interview #4
Man going to Irvine from San Bernadino
Anthony: So do you use the training and how often do you use the train?
Man: About three times a week
Anthony: And then what do you use the train for?
Man: To go to work.
Anthony: Oh, to go to work and where is work?
Man: Irvine.
Anthony: Oh, ok a lot of people are going to Irvine. What do you work as if you don’t mind me asking?
Man: It’s a customer service job.
Catherine: Oh ok, what’s your experience like taking the train?
Man: It’s very relaxing versus having to deal with the 91. You know, taking the train, I mean it is a lot easier than either being on a freeway or any other method of transport.
Catherine: How long would you say your average commuter is?
Man: It’s an hour and a half each way.
Anthony: So this way and then to to Irvine.
Man: Yeah, well actually from here, it’s only an hour, just a little over an hour, probably an hour and 10 minutes.
Anthony: Are you local to Riverside area?
Man: San Bernardino.
Catherine: Oh, so you drive from San Bernardino to here?
Man: Yeah. Well, actually no. Normally, I take the train from San Bernardino but because I’m coming in a little later, it actually leaves from Riverside, this late. I would’ve left about 35 minutes ago, then I could have grabbed the train in San Bernardino.
Catherine: Would you say taking this is convenient?
Man: Oh, very convenient.
Anthony: Would you change anything about the train system? If there was one thing that you could change about it, what would it be.
Man: As far as Metrolink?
Anthony: Yeah.
Man: I would just add Wi-Fi.
Anthony: There’s no Wi-Fi on the metro?
Man: No, there’s no Wi-Fi. That’s why Amtrak does have Wi-Fi, but Amtrak is about you know, it’s a big difference. So this is just more of a commuter thing where Amtrak is actual vacation or destinations
Catherine: If there was no traffic, would you rather drive than take public transit?
Man: It’s a 50 50 on that. I mean the best part is the lack of traffic but honestly, also just having your mind at ease and not have to worry about, you know, the wear and tear on your vehicle or just people cutting you off. I get to a read a book or I get to watch a show or something on Netflix versus having my mind on, you know, driving or I can sleep.
Anthony: Yes, that is very true. Would you also say that this is an affordable option for those people that maybe want to go to public transit.
Man: Yeah I would say it’s there. I mean, again with the wear and tear on your vehicle. The way, my route, I have to take toll roads if I was to drive and it ends up being about just the same, so mind as well just ride relax.
Anthony: Have you ever used Uber and Lyft?
Man: Yes.
Anthony: And what do you think about those shared mobility services?
Man: I mean they’re they’re fine. I don’t have a problem with those, but, you know, this is a longer distance so I’d rather not spend.
Anthony: That’s true and it costs a lot of money.
Man: Yeah it costs a lot more. I spent just as much going home on Uber from here than I would, you know, to go all the way to Irvine.
Anthony: Do you feel safe boarding the train and using public transit?
Man: Oh yeah. There’s usually some sort of an officer, you know, checking our tickets and stuff so I do feel safe.
Catherine: Has the train ever delayed before, like making you late to work or something like that
Man: Yeah. I would say it’s very rare though. I mean there are moments where the train does get delayed either by the rain or sometimes there’s another train in front that’s having issues or even our train may have issues but, again, it’s very rare.
Catherine: Would you say it’s pretty crowded or busy at this time?
Man: No, no actually this is a good time as far as to beat the crowds because work crowd has already gone in like the first three trains.
Catherine: Oh really and how about coming back?
Man: I come back out again at a later time. So there’s a lot less people.
Catherine: I think that’s all we have. We really appreciate your time. Thank you so much.
Anthony: I appreciate it. Have a nice day.
Riverside Local Interview #5
Microbiologist going to Irvine
Catherine: How often do you take the train?
Woman: Five days week.
Anthony: Oh, is it to go to work?
Woman: Yeah to go to work.
Catherine: And where is work for you?
Woman: Irvine.
Catherine: Oh ok, we just came from Irvine. Do you think it’s convenient?
Woman: Oh yeah, very convenient with the way traffic and gas are going.
Catherine: So prior to taking this have you driven there before? Is that why you decided to —
Woman: Yeah.
Catherine: Ah ok, so how was that experience like?
Woman: Horrible because from Riverside to Irvine, I would do on average an hour and a half to two one way and then same back. I did that for about a year and then my schedule finally switched to where I was able to take the train.
Catherine: Oh ok so do you wake up this early everyday to catch it?
Woman: Yeah.
Catherine: So you would wake up earlier to drive, then, if you had to do.
Woman: Yes depending on what hour I would have to clock in because that also depends on how bad traffic is going to be.
Catherine: Is there anything you would change about the system?
Woman: Probably have more trains at different hours.
Catherine: Oh what are the hours like right now?
Woman: I mean they’re pretty good in the morning but coming back from Irvine in the afternoon, there is only, I would probably say about three or four. But say I clock out at 5:30, I already miss that train and I have the wait until 6:45 to take the last one.
Catherine: So would you say that part is a little bit inconvenient because you would have to wait?
Woman: Yeah.
Catherine: If the traffic wasn’t that bad would you drive though?
Woman: Maybe? I mean it depends on the price of gas.
Anthony: Oh that’s true, it is pretty expensive these days. Are you a student by any chance?
Woman: No, not a student anymore.
Anthony: What do you work as if you don’t mind me asking?
Woman: Oh, I work as a microbiology technologist in a lab in Irvine.
Anthony: Oh at UCI or —
Woman: No no it’s, I guess like a private lab contractor.
Anthony: Oh that’s cool!
Catherine: Have you taken other modes of public transportation besides the metro.
Woman: I guess what would count is the OCTA bus in Irvine.
Anthony: How would you compare Irvine public transit to here. I mean maybe the train and the bus are comparable but —
Woman: I’ve actually never taken the bus here but the buses in Irvine, they seem to be a lot cleaner and more efficient.
Catherine: Ok yeah that’s true. Do you feel safe or comfortable using the metro every single day especially late at night and stuff?
Woman: Yeah there’s still plenty of people on there to feel safe.
Anthony: Do you use the car to get to here?
Woman: Yes.
Catherine: So it’s like a combination of cars plus public transit.
Woman: Yeah.
Catherine: Ok yeah that makes sense. Do you think that taking the train is sustainable and that it would help the environment in a way?
Woman: Yes. I believe so. I would kind of hope that more people would use the Metrolink just so that they put up more buses and more trains.
Anthony: Yeah so there would be higher demand.
Catherine: On average how many people do you see like a lot or at this time, at least.
Woman: Oh yeah at this time, way more even to the point where maybe some people can’t find a seat on the train.
Catherine: Oh really! And how about when you come back?
Woman: It’s about same. I would probably say the last train out of Irvine is the one that’s more empty.
Anthony: So there are a lot of people here who actually go from here to Irvine.
Catherine: Yeah we’ve interviewed like three people already. Prices wise you think this is more affordable than gas?
Woman: Oh yeah because I was doing the math and a monthly pass here costs about 200 to 300 dollars. Gaas would probably, for me, like 600 bucks.
Anthony: Oh yeah because an hour and a half is a lot. Well, I think that’s everything.
Catherine: Thank you! Have a great day.
Shared Thoughts & Shared Mobility 