Without action, fare collection would have resumed in June,” revealed Mitchell.Īccording to LA Metro, about 70 percent of the transit system’s riders are considered low-income. “For the last 14 months, Metro has been operating as a fareless system to help Angelenos recover from the pandemic. Supervisor Mitchell said the pandemic has been a game-changer for Metro. “Service on Metro buses and trains will remain free as the agency develops details of a fareless pilot program,” said City Councilman Mike Bonin, who represents the city’s 11th District which includes Ladera and West Los Angeles. Meanwhile, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many riders have directly benefited from fareless transit, specifically on local buses, where passengers were encouraged to enter the back of the bus to limit contact with bus drivers. “Metro continues to offer fareless rides for residents and all riders should continue to board (buses) through the rear doors to help keep our community safe.”Īdditionally, 51 percent of Metro riders live below the federal poverty level, with a median household income of $19,325 systemwide and only $17,975 for bus riders. “Seventy percent of residents who rely on Metro for essential travel have annual (household) incomes of less than $35,000,” explained Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who represents the 2nd District in Los Angeles County. Over the past several months, Metro staff has been studying fareless transit, which will start in January 2022. Metro is the third-busiest transit agency in the nation, serving more than 10 million residents in LA County. Metro previously offered discounted fares to certain demographic groups like students, seniors, low-income residents, and people with disabilities, but officials believe a fully fareless Metro system would provide an even greater benefit to all Metro riders.Īccording to Metro, 75 percent of their 1.2 million daily weekday passengers before the pandemic were Latino or African-American, meaning this pilot program will directly help Black and Brown riders. Right now, Metro’s base fare is $1.75 but rides are currently free during the pandemic.
“With (the May 27th) vote, Metro moves forward to finalize a fare-free transit pilot for students and low-income Angelenos, boosting ridership and removing barriers in historically underserved communities,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti, who also serves on LA Metro’s Board of Directors. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board of Directors recently approved a fareless pilot program that will provide free bus and train rides to K-12 students and community college students starting in August.
It is a concept rooted in equity, specifically to benefit low-income residents in Los Angeles County and could eventually permanently apply to all LA Metro riders.
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