There are "Express Freeway Fliers" in LA that leave from a lot by an off ramp of the Ventura Freeway in Encino and go directly to downtown.  From there you have access to Metro-Rail, the Blue and Gold lines and what ever else they have added in the last two years.  Almost everyone getting on these buses wear suits and carry briefcases.  As late as 1999 it was a good value.  There are several other similar lines.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."