Metro Los Angeles is rolling back public health measures on its buses systemwide in the middle of the worst Covid wave of the entire pandemic.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is resuming normal boarding operations on buses today. Since March 2020, the nation's second busiest bus system had been requiring passengers to use rear doors to board and light buses without paying fares.
An article by Ryan Fonseca for LAist provides details on the resumption of front door boarding on Metro, noting that rear door boarding and fare-free rides were implemented to protect riders and drivers during the pandemic: "Skipping the fares and requiring rear-door boarding made it possible to do a better job of social distancing."
Advocates are questioning the timing of the change, with Covid infections in the county higher than they've been at any point in the pandemic. Metro seems to be aware of the current public health risks, announcing on January 4 that it was canceling all enrollment events for its low-income fare program (not to be confused with a fare-free pilot program under consideration at Metro in 2021).
Fare-free transit has been one of the hottest topics in planning during the pandemic. Albuquerque last week announced the largest fare-free pilot program of any U.S. city to date.
FULL STORY: Free Bus Rides Are Ending On LA Metro. Check Out The Limited-Time Discounts Going Into Place
The Deepening Transit Crisis: L.A. Times Reports Drug Use on Transit
An article by the L.A. Times earlier this week has raised the temperature of the debate about drug users and crime on rail transit. Concerns about public safety on transit are a common symptom of post-pandemic transit around the country.
Can L.A. Metro Fund its Fareless Transit Pilot?
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors has approved a program that would eliminate fares for students and low-income riders, but the program's future rests on finding sustainable funding sources.
L.A. Metro Will Pilot Free Fares for Most Riders
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will let low-income residents and K-12 students ride for free starting in January 2022.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.
San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.
A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service