<p>USC is my top choice school. I love everything about it, but I don't want to be stranded on campus. Is it necessary that I have a car, or does public transportation work pretty well? I will live on campus, but if I just want to get out will I be able to without a car? Also, is it better to just get a bike, or both a car and a bike, or a bike and bus pass? I'm so confused. Any info would be greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>Thanks a Lot</p>
<p>Plenty of dorm mates will have beemers ,benzes, SUVs, mini Coopers, convertibles to give you rides. Be friendly.</p>
<p>As a native Angeleno since birth, I’d say bring both a bike and a car if you have the means.</p>
<p>I know that USC’s isolation from the more lively neigborhoods in LA has been an issue for students in the past. The expo line should be opening in the next year or so, which I feel will be a great addition to the USC community, connecting USC to places like Little Tokyo, Pasadena, Silverlake, Hollywood, Westwood, and Santa Monica, just to name a few. I have no idea why President Sample has met this project with so much resistance…</p>
<p>[Metro</a> Expo Line (LACMTA) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LACMTA_Expo_Line]Metro”>E Line (Los Angeles Metro) - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“E Line (Los Angeles Metro) - Wikipedia”>E Line (Los Angeles Metro) - Wikipedia]Metro</a> Expo Line (LACMTA) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia<a href=“links%20to%20paragraph%20about%20USC”>/url</a></p>
<p>There have been several previous “Should I bring a car?” threads that should come up with the search tool. The consensus seemed to be that a vehicle definitely makes L.A. life a lot easier but the parking, insurance and fuel costs may not be worth it for every student. If you just want to get out on the weekends, public transit or riding with friends usually works. However, if you have very specific needs during the week (such as day-long internships off campus), a car becomes necessary. </p>
<p>USC runs hourly trams to Union Station on weekdays, which gets you to the Metrolink commuter rail and the subway lines. The DASH bus line connects USC to downtown every 10 minutes during the week as well. Public transit is certainly the most affordable way to get around but requires patience and a bit of planning.</p>
<p>Another alternative to bringing a car would be a Zipcar membership. The car sharing company has a dozen vehicles stationed on campus that can be rented for the hour or day by students. You just pay for the hours you reserve and gas, insurance and parking are included. If you plan on using a car only occasionally, Zipcars can be very advantageous.</p>
<p>If you can, car and bike. Bikes are great for getting around campus, cars are great for getting around LA. Buy a decent bike and a good lock.</p>
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<p>It’s because the LACMTA is a bunch of dolts.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of the expo line and I really want it to take off. It’s going to improve student’s access to the west side hugely.</p>
<p>But LACMTA simply has no clue how to run or build a metro. For example, the Blue line is one of the most accident prone light rail in the world. And it’s blatantly obvious one reason why - they are adamantly opposed to anything other than at-grade crossings (and don’t sufficiently make safe the at-grade crossings either)</p>
<p>Honestly, there will be other students with cars, but my son found himself having to take some pretty long bus rides to get around LA, especially when he was doing errands or working on school related projects that took him off campus. Despite the high cost, he will have a car on campus next year. You just need a car SOMETIMES to get around easily in LA. Check out Zip Car and see if that would work for you. They are on campus and it might be less expensive than bringing a full time car.</p>
<p>I live about 2,000 mile away from California, so getting a car down there would be a hassle. The zipcar sounds like a great idea, so I will defineltly check that out. Is there a membership charge for the zipcar?</p>
<p>Joining through USC is $35 a year with no application fee.</p>
<p>[Zipcar</a> : Organizations : University of Southern California](<a href=“http://www.zipcar.com/usc/]Zipcar”>USC | Zipcar)</p>
<p>Find a friend with a car.</p>
<p>Metrolink doesn’t exactly go everywhere and hours are limited. The metro is only good for going to Hollywood, Universal, and maybe Long Beach imo. Buses are sketchy during the night and can take forever.</p>