Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
MARCH 19, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: METRO-LA28 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028 (LA28) (Attachment A).
Issue
ISSUE
The MOU between Metro and LA28 establishes a framework for coordination and delivery of transportation services supporting the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This MOU establishes roles and responsibilities and lays the foundation for further negotiation as Games planning progresses including the framework of Metro’s services in support of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (the Games) and framework for commercial considerations.
Background
BACKGROUND
At its December 3, 2020 meeting, the Metro Board of Directors approved Motion 42: 2028 Mobility Concept Plan by Directors Garcetti, Solis, Hahn, Kuehl, Butts, and Garcia that directed staff to work with regional partners and LA28 to develop a regional investment and delivery plan for projects and services to support regional mobility needs for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Attachment B).
LA28 and the Games Mobility Executives (GME) have asked Metro to lead the planning and delivery of public transit service to the Games venues, which would involve a combination of Metro’s existing bus and rail network and the Games Enhanced Transit Service (GETS), a supplemental system that will provide additional capacity for the spectators and workforce members traveling to the Games. While Metro’s responsibilities were documented in the Games Agreement between the City of Los Angeles and LA28, Metro is not a signatory and therefore does not have a contractual agreement with LA28.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The MOU establishes a framework for the coordination of transportation services and related programs in support of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The agreement distinguishes between Metro Baseline Services, which remain Metro’s sole responsibility, and Metro Enhanced Services, which include Games-specific services above baseline and will only be provided if supported by supplemental funding.
Metro will lead planning and implementation of the GETS, a supplemental regional bus network designed to transport spectators and workforce between venues, transit hubs, and park-and-ride facilities, including service planning, contracting, operations, coordination with other transit providers, and related facilities and staffing, subject to funding. LA28 will lead broader Games transportation planning, including the Mobility and Transportation Plan, Games Operations Center, Games Route Network coordination, and integration of transportation information into the Spectator App.
The MOU outlines that Metro will support the Games by coordinating regional transit operations, providing increased transit service where feasible, supporting transportation demand management strategies, and participating in Games-related planning efforts such as mobility studies and coordination through the GME governance structure. Metro will serve as the lead public agency for administering public funding associated with certain transportation projects supporting the Games.
The MOU also addresses coordination on funding advocacy, security planning, advertising and marketing opportunities. Key implementation details will be finalized in later exhibits addressing the specific services, marketing and intellectual property, and the Games security plan.
LA28 will also collaborate with Metro on venue access planning, transportation communications, and coordination with local jurisdictions on traffic management. The MOU also establishes collaboration on joint advocacy for transportation funding, coordination on transportation-related volunteer recruitment, and development of testing and readiness plans for Games transportation systems. NOTE: The MOU also includes language protecting Metro from liability in the event that the required funding needed for delivery does not materialize.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Execution of the MOU is critical for establishing the framework for the GETS. The GETS will provide an alternative to driving for spectators and the workforce during the 2028 Games, reducing the risk of vehicle collisions, including from motorists who may be impaired. The additional bus service will reduce wait times for patrons, therefore reducing heat exposure risk.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Adoption of the MOU with LA28 has no financial impact. The MOU stipulates that amendments documenting required funding for additional Metro service during the Games shall be negotiated at a later date. Specific protections include commitments that:
• “Metro shall not be obligated for performance of Metro Baseline Services during any of Metro's future fiscal years unless and until Metro’s Board of Directors appropriates funds for the subject programs or services in Metro’s Budget for each such future fiscal year”
• “Metro Enhanced Services [inclusive of the GETS] will be funded, if at all, from supplemental grants and awards and/or any cost savings derived from regulatory relief that Metro receives (collectively, “New Consideration”). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Metro MOU to the contrary, whether expressly or by implication, Metro shall not be obligated for any Metro Enhanced Services unless and until New Consideration is designated, dedicated and committed to, and received by Metro”
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The Memorandum of Understanding between Metro and LA28 supports Metro’s commitment to delivering a transit-first Games that advances equitable access to mobility across Los Angeles County without compromising existing service. The GETS will be designed to accommodate spectators, workforce members, and residents while maintaining reliable service for Metro’s existing riders, including those from historically underserved and transit-dependent communities. Service planning and delivery will incorporate accessibility requirements, ADA compliance, multilingual communication, and inclusive wayfinding to ensure broad usability of the system during the 2028 Games.
The MOU further protects Metro’s core riders by aligning funding for additional Games-related service to be secured through external grants. This approach minimizes financial burden on existing riders and safeguards ongoing operations. By clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and funding protections, the agreement positions the Games as an opportunity to strengthen regional mobility infrastructure and partnerships in a manner that supports long-term community benefit beyond the 2028 Games.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled_Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. Implementing the GETS will reduce the vehicle miles traveled during Games time by providing alternatives to driving and parking directly at venues. In addition, the implementation of first/last mile improvements, bus priority corridors, mobility hubs, and related projects that comprise the Mobility Concept Plan will make it faster, easier, and more enjoyable to use modes other than personal vehicles. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The Memorandum of Understanding with LA28 furthers the implementation of the Mobility Concept Plan, which supports:
Strategic goal 1: Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling. Strategic Goal 2: Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system. Strategic Goal 4: Transform LA County through regional collaboration and national leadership” by providing a roadmap and strategy to deliver permanent transit and transit-supportive projects and programs that can help serve the 2028 Games.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could decide not to approve the Memorandum of Understanding, however, staff does not recommend this as the MOU provides written confirmation of the roles and responsibilities that is critical for supporting the joint advocacy requests for GETS funding.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
After Board approval, staff will proceed with execution of the MOU and will continue to work closely with LA28 and the other GME agencies in the preparation for the 2028 Games.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A -Memorandum of Understanding
Attachment B - Motion 42
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Daniel Bernstein, Senior Manager, Office of Strategic Innovation, (213) 922-4135
Ernesto Chaves, Senior Executive Officer, Office of Strategic Innovation, (213)547-4362
Hector Gutierrez, Senior Manager, Office of Strategic Innovation, (213) 444-9304
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Seleta Reynolds, Chief, Innovation and Games Mobility Planning Officer, (213) 922-4656
