Traveling by Bus Not Viable Option

I was appalled to find out that a 30-mile commute from Encino to Camarillo would take more than four hours on our public bus system. This quagmire of transfers and connections is a sad testimony to the inadequacies of our public transportation system.

Below are the instructions given to me by Los Angeles County Transit and Ventura County Transit authorities. My goal was to get to work as early in the morning as possible on a weekday in Camarillo:

* 4:55 a.m. Walk from my apartment to the bus stop.

* 5:08 a.m. Board the 424 West bus in Encino.

* 5:27 a.m. Get off at the Topanga stop.

* 5:56 a.m. Board the metro 161 west on Ventura Boulevard.

* 6:44 a.m. Get off at the Westlake-Towngate stop. Walk a block.

* 6:58 a.m. Board Ventura County Transit bus No. 4 to Thousand Oaks.

* Time uncertain. Get off at the Oaks Mall. Walk across the Oaks Mall.

* 8:05 a.m. Board the Vista Highway 101 bus (going north).

* 8:30 a.m. Arrive at Carmen Plaza in Camarillo.

* 9:00 a.m. Board the Vista Highway 101 bus (going south).

* 9:08 a.m. Get off at the Arnell stop.

* Walk from Arnell to Via Allondra, about a 20-minute walk.

* 9:30 a.m. Arrive at work.

The total fare would be $4.40 one way because Ventura County won’t accept transfers from L.A. County and also won’t accept transfers from within its own system. Fortunately I have the choice of commuting by car for about 35 minutes and a buck and a half in gasoline.

The sad truth is that my tax dollars are used to subsidize this system. Is this anecdote the exception to the rule? If not, it may be time to drastically reform this pathetic system that is the laughing stock of public transportation nationwide. (Can you say privatization?)

ROBIN ANDERSON

Burbank