The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) announced plans last week to undertake a review of the agency's massive bus system. The redesign will hope to address declining ridership.
"After years of relatively few changes, Metro is beginning the process of reimagining and restructuring its bus system [pdf] to better meet the needs of past, current and future riders," reports Steve Hymon.
After stressing that Metro is only beginning the process (more on that later), Hymon lists some key takeaways for interested observers, including a timeline of next steps. By the end of the year, Metro plans to hire a consultant to "identify the different transit markets in L.A. County; study the agency’s current bus system and how well it serves current and potential customers, and; recommend how best to transform the system to be more relevant to what people want today." Metro plans to complete the review of the bus system by 2019.
Hymon also notes that that the Metro bus system has seen substantial decline in ridership in recent years, similar to the experience of bus systems in other metropolitan areas. Hymon says Metro's goal with the review is to "retain current riders, reclaim past riders and recruit new riders."
The new plan would seem to follow up on the recommendations of a "Blue Ribbon Committee," presented to Metro in July 2015. Hymon did not mention whether those recommendations would inform the new review process.
FULL STORY: Metro plans to reimagine and restructure its vast bus system
Driver Shortage Undercuts the Potential of L.A.’s Recent Bus System Redesign
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority implemented a complete overhaul of its bus system in three waves over the course of 2021. A shortage of drivers for the system has made it impossible to implement that vision.
Metro L.A. Drafts Frequent Bus Service Plan
Late last week, Los Angeles transit riders got a first peak at the proposed NextGen Bus Plan, a system redesign that promises to completely redefine transit access in the county.
Bus Ridership Declines Challenge Los Angeles
The Wall Street Journal reports that bus riders on the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority system has declined significantly in recent years.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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