Meeting_Body
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
DECEMBER 1, 2016
Preamble
Motion by:
Directors Ridley-Thomas, Kuehl, Fasana and Garcetti
December 1, 2016
Decriminalizing Fare Evasion for Metro's Youth Riders
With the passage of Measure M on November 8, 2016, the residents of Los Angeles County (County) have demonstrated an overwhelming desire to see an ongoing investment in public transportation. It is the responsibility of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to build out a 21st Century transit system, and put in place the appropriate policies and programs to encourage a diverse group of riders to use this growing system. There is probably no greater pool of potential life-long riders than the youth; individuals that grow up using Metro's system to get to school, work, and recreational activities.
Currently many youth rely heavily on Metro's system, often out of necessity. 13% of Los Angeles youth live in a household without access to a car, and many more live in a single-car household and must navigate the County on their own. Students from low income households are most likely to rely on public transportation to get to school and work. However, not all youth can afford to ride the Metro system, even for these purposes. With about 23% of youth under18 in the County living in poor households (below 100% of the federal poverty level), many lack access to disposable income to pay for fares. Lack of affordable transportation is often listed as a barrier to consistent school attendance.
For many youth, riding without paying the fare due to economic hardship, or being perceived as riding without paying the fare, has tainted the experience of using the Metro system. Youth of color in particular have been disproportionately cited for fare evasion (black youth represent 24% of MTA riders under age 18 years, but receive more than half of all youth citations for fare evasion). Fare evasion has historically been the number one reason why youth...
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