Meeting_Body
REVISED
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
APRIL 18, 2024
Preamble
Motion by:
DIRECTORS BASS, BUTTS, DUTRA, DUPONT-WALKER, MITCHELL, AND SOLIS
Bridge To Farelessness
Los Angeles County public transit users are primarily low-income people of color who are disproportionately and negatively impacted by the high cost of housing and transportation associated with living in our region. The 2022 Metro Customer Survey revealed that 43% of bus riders report household incomes under $15,000, 89% earn less than $50,000 annually, and 63% and 15% identify as Latino/a and Black, respectively. For comparison, that year's US Census found Los Angeles's median household income as $83,411, and 47% and 8.3% identified as Latino/a and Black, respectively.
Removing transit fares for those in need will make public transportation accessible and ensure that low-income individuals and families can afford public transit, promoting social equity. A reliable, frequent, and accessible public transit system improves access to economic and education opportunities, enhances social connections, and reduces isolation, especially for those who may face mobility challenges.
As of February 2024, Metro has seen ridership increase to approximately 80% of pre-pandemic levels, marking the 15th consecutive month of year-over-year ridership growth. To continue this upward trend, Metro must maintain these ridership gains and increase ridership throughout the system. Cost is often a barrier to using public transportation, and removing this barrier can encourage more people to choose sustainable and efficient modes of transit. Increased ridership can have positive economic effects by boosting local businesses around transit hubs.
Encouraging more people to use public transportation instead of driving single-occupancy private vehicles contributes to reducing traffic congestion, leading to smoother traffic flow, minimizing the need for extensive road infrastructure, and reducing carbon emissio...
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