Metro - File #: 2026-0245

• File #: 2026-0245
• Type: Budget
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 5/21/2026
• In control: Finance, Budget and Audit Committee
• On agenda: 7/16/2026
• Title: CONSIDER: A. APPROVING local funding request for Access Services (Access) in an amount not to exceed $240,986,909 for FY27. This amount includes: 1. Local funds for operating and capital expenses in the amount of $238,218,046 2. Local funds paid directly to Metrolink for its participation in Access' Free Fare Program in the amount of $2,768,863 B. AMENDING the FY27 Budget by $27,150,139 to fully fund Recommendation A; and C. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to negotiate and execute all necessary agreements to implement the above funding program.
• Indexes: Access Board, Access Service For Ada Compliance (Project), Access Services Inc., Accessibility, Americans With Disabilities Act, Audit, Bids, Budget, Budgeting, City of Los Angeles, Consolidated Audit, Construction, Contractors, Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program, Federal Transit Administration, Grant Aid, Insurance, Key Performance Indicator, Lancaster, Maintenance facilities, Maintenance practices, Metrolink, National Environmental Policy Act Of 1969, North Los Angeles County subregion, Olympic games, Operations and Maintenance, Paratransit services, Persons with disabilities, Pilot studies, Program, Regional transportation, Ridership, Rolling stock, San Fernando, San Fernando Valley subregion, Santa Clarita, Southern California Association Of Governments, Strategic planning

Meeting_Body
FINANCE, BUDGET AND AUDIT COMMITTE
JULY 16, 2026

Subject
SUBJECT: ACCESS SERVICES FISCAL YEAR 2027 PROPOSED BUDGET

Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION

Heading
RECOMMENDATION

Title
CONSIDER:

A. APPROVING local funding request for Access Services (Access) in an amount not to exceed $240,986,909 for FY27. This amount includes:

1. Local funds for operating and capital expenses in the amount of $238,218,046
2. Local funds paid directly to Metrolink for its participation in Access' Free Fare Program in the amount of $2,768,863

B. AMENDING the FY27 Budget by $27,150,139 to fully fund Recommendation A; and

C. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to negotiate and execute all necessary agreements to implement the above funding program.

Issue
ISSUE

The total FY27 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit service budget for Los Angeles County is $380,426,951. This includes a not to exceed amount of $377,658,088 in funds for Access to support their operating and capital needs, and $2,768,863 for Metrolink's participation in Access' Free Fare Program.

The FY27 Adopted Budget included a preliminary budget for Access. The final recommended budget for Access requires $240,986,909 in local funding, requiring an additional $27,150,139 in FY27.

Background
BACKGROUND

As the Regional Transportation Planning Authority, Metro provides funding to Access to provide regional ADA paratransit service for Metro and the 45 other public fixed route operators in Los Angeles County. The provision of compliant ADA mandated service is considered a civil right under federal law and must be appropriately funded.

Access' service area spans more than 1,950 square miles of Los Angeles County. Next fiscal year, Access is forecasted to provide more than 4.3 million trips serving approximately 121,000 qualified ADA paratransit riders. Access contracts out its paratransit services to six different regional contractors, each serving a specific area: Ea...