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AD HOC 2028 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES COMMITTEE
MAY 14, 2025
Preamble
Motion by:
DIRECTORS HAHN, BUTTS, DUTRA, DUPONT-WALKER, AND BUTTS
Feasibility Study of Water Taxi Service Between San Pedro and Long Beach
As Los Angeles gears up to host the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, LA Metro will be expected to deliver a world-class transportation network that is efficient, sustainable, and accessible for everyone. To meet the region-wide demand the Games will bring, strengthening partnerships with local transit agencies and community stakeholders will be vital in ensuring that residents, employees, and visitors get to and from their major destinations with ease and reliability.
The City of Long Beach will play a key role in the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics, hosting over a dozen events across its waterfront venues. With visitors anticipated to stay across the Greater Los Angeles area, establishing a water taxi service that links San Pedro and Long Beach would help alleviate congested roadways and reduce impacts to residents, while also providing access to Olympic and Paralympic venues, cultural hubs, and cruise terminals.
San Pedro, a diverse neighborhood located along the southern coast of Los Angeles County, has strong potential to serve as a 2028 Games fan zone. Its waterfront setting with deep cultural roots and historic ties to international communities like the Croatian-American population makes it an ideal gathering place for fans. Last year, the president of the Croatian Olympic Committee signed an agreement to establish Croatia House in San Pedro as a cultural venue celebrating Croatian heritage during the 2028 Games. The Croatia house will serve as a gathering place for athletes, fans, and locals, featuring cultural events, and live broadcasts. Establishing a water taxi connection would not only support crowd flow and regional mobility but also spotlight San Pedro as a welcoming and dynamic part of the Olympic and Paralympic experience.
Currently, Long Beach Transit (LBT) provides service to more than 17 million riders each year throughout the Gateway Cities and Greater Los Angeles region, offering bus routes, water taxi services, and paratransit options. Their water taxi service consists of two 40-foot, 38-passenger AquaBus vessels serving the Long Beach harbor and Aquarium of the Pacific. Additionally, Long Beach Transit operates two 68-foot, 75-passenger AquaLink catamarans, which serve the Long Beach waterfront between Alamitos Bay Landing, the Queen Mary, and Downtown Long Beach. These vessels are accessible to mobility devices, bicycles, and provide connections to LBT’s regular fixed-route bus service. LBT’s water taxi service, including the AquaBus and AquaLink, has become increasingly popular among residents and visitors, demonstrating the demand for water-based transportation, especially during special events like the Long Beach Grand Prix.
Subject
SUBJECT: FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR WATER TAXI SERVICE BETWEEN SAN PEDRO AND LONG BEACH MOTION
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RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE Motion by Hahn, Bass, Dutra, Dupont-Walker, and Butts that the Board direct the Chief Executive Officer to:
A. Initiate conversation and coordination with Long Beach Transit and the Port of LA to assess existing services and explore the feasibility of establishing a water taxi service to connect San Pedro and Long Beach in preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. This study shall include:
1. Route Identification: Evaluate optimal and safe routes for operation between San Pedro and Long Beach, considering factors such as navigational safety, environmental impact, and accessibility;
2. Infrastructure Assessment: Assess potential docking facilities, terminals, and necessary infrastructure upgrades to support the proposed water taxi/ferry service;
3. Financial Analysis: Estimate capital and operating costs associated with extending, establishing, and maintaining the water taxi service during and after the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. Include revenue projections, and potential local, state, and federal funding sources that could be eligible for operating and capital costs;
4. Partnership Opportunities: Identify opportunities for public and private partnerships to support the development and operation of the water taxi service;
5. Jurisdictional Governance: Identify any maritime (e.g. Coast Guard) regulations, environmental permits (e.g. Coastal Commission), etc that would govern such service;
6. Ridership Demand: Develop a service plan and estimate demand for service based on seasons, travel time, convenience, etc.; and
7. Passenger Transport: Evaluate vessel type and capacity for such use that can accommodate demand, water depth, customer comfort, safety and operational requirements.
B. Consult with local labor unions and subject matter experts- including, but not limited to, unions representing maritime workers, transportation operators, and dock personnel;
C. Recommend technical, financial, and other ways that Metro could support the establishment or expansion of a water taxi between San Pedro and the City of Long Beach; and
D. Report back on the above action items in 90 days.