Los Angeles In the Spotlight
We’re all about LA this week!
This week the podcast and Transit Unplugged TV feature LA and everything going on to get ready for the 2028 Olympics and the 2026 World Cup. The Olympics alone will more than double the population of the city during the 28 days of the Games.
Talk about needing serious capacity planning!
LA Metro has its planning well under way to have the 2028 games be the first car-free/transit-first Games. Paul Comfort got the inside scoop about what’s in the works for two of the largest sporting events in the world.
On Transit Unplugged TV you’ll hear from folks at LA Metro about what it’s going to take to be transit first, like borrowing thousands of buses from other agencies, schools, and universities to expand their capacity. And of course they’ll need people to drive, maintain, and coordinate those buses, so there is going to be a huge hiring boom to meet the needs of the agency.
But it’s not all just on LA Metro, the LA Department of Transportation needs an entire plan to enforce parking and encourage people to park outside the city and take transit to the venues. A big part of this help is going to come from Modaxo’s Trellint, which has been working with the City of LA for 40 years supporting parking enforcement and management.
On Transit Unplugged TV you’ll see Deputy Executive Officer of Station Experience Stephen Tu show Paul just a few of the things he’s done to make LA Metro stations feel safer and more welcoming. We were extremely lucky to be able to have Stephen on the podcast to talk in depth with Paul about his entire station experience program and the amazing success he’s seen already.
Listen to how just a few things like music, fare gates, and open elevator doors have changed the entire perception of the stations.
What’s in store for transit post-election?
Next week, we’re excited to bring you the South West Transit Association’s post-election legislative update with Executive Director Rich Sampson and Legislative Committee Chair Becca Green.
This in-depth and engaging review of how things will–and won’t–change for transit with a new administration and Congress next year. Rich and Becca talk through the practical aspects of the Infrastructure Bill as well as how to engage your representatives to make sure transit–and its benefits to society–is top of mind.
Don’t miss this discussion (and have paper and pen handy for notes; it’s that good).
Follow or subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts so you don’t miss this special episode.
????This Week in Transit News…
Beyond the results of the election where most transit initiatives passed which will bring in $25B in funding, we have a new schedule in Chicago where they are increasing rail service 20% and NY MTA had its one billionth passenger ride recently.
Safe to say this was a good week for transit all around.
Watch or listen for all the details.
