Photo credit: MyGo-PasadenaInspired by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s new GREEN LA climate change action plan, announced earlier this month, I’ve decided to take a look a big element of life in LA: transportation. As any Angeleno knows, ridiculous traffic and poor air quality have a huge impact on our overall quality of life here in So Cal (Mountains? I don’t see any mountains!) But what’s included in the plan, and what are our options in the meantime?

In the works
According to Nancy Sutley, Deputy Mayor for Energy and the Environment for the City of Los Angeles, “LA hasn’t spent a dime in 15 years on expanding freeway capacity.” Really? I hadn’t noticed.

Fortunately, the city has worked to expand and green public transportation, used by over a million people every day. Working towards the elimination of diesel buses by next year, the MTA sports the largest fleet of natural gas buses in North America. Even better, expansions to the light rail and subway system are also planned, including the unlikely Subway to the Sea project that entails expanding the Metro Red line underneath Wilshire Blvd. 15 miles to the ocean. The project would take 15 years at a cost of $5 billion, but would provide public transport for one of the most heavily traveled routes in the city. If it happens.

So…what do we do in the meantime?
Well, let’s start with the obvious: the greenest, and often the fastest, option for short trips is to walk or ride a bike. For longer trips, use public transportation for the majority of your travel. Trains don’t get stuck in traffic, and buses can take the carpool lanes. Plus, despite the recent rate hike, it’s still pretty cheap compared to a car.

For trips to and from the airport, give FlyAway a try. The bus service connects LAX to downtown’s Union Station and Van Nuys. Either route costs just $3 each way, and you can complete airline check-in of your baggage and get your boarding pass before arriving at LAX. This service is also set to be expanded as part of the Mayor’s plan, so keep an eye out for new routes.

If you live in the Valley and already use the Gold Line for a downtown commute, check out MyGo-Pasadena. A project of transportation non-profit WestStart-CALSTART, MyGo-Pasadena provides significant rebates towards the purchase of a two-wheel electric vehicle for use in getting to the station. Since the bikes are powered, you won’t be all sweaty when you get to work, but you can peddle home if you want the exercise. Besides, with this draught expected to stay awhile, you don’t have to worry about getting rained on!

I know, I know, it’s hard to give up driving entirely, and sometimes public transportation just doesn’t cut it. For these times, consider a car sharing service like FlexCar. Offering hybrids and other fuel-efficient, low emissions vehicles, FlexCar allows you to reserve a car only when you need it. Insurance, title, and most importantly, gas, are included in your hourly or daily rate.

Whatever you choose, it will be better than sitting in traffic watching the bikes zoom by.