The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has recently approved a $9 billion budget for the 2024 Fiscal Year, prioritizing the customer experience and aiming to improve the transit system in various ways. This budget includes key capital investments that focus on enhancing service frequency, reliability, cleaning, and public safety.
To provide a more reliable transit experience, Metro has allocated $2.9 billion specifically for transit operations, allowing for an increase in service hours from 7.5 million to 8.9 million revenue service hours. This represents a nearly 10 percent increase compared to pre-pandemic levels. The goal is to meet the needs of riders by offering more frequent transit service, a request that Metro has taken into account.
In terms of cleanliness and safety, Metro is investing over $200 million in cleaning efforts, a 13 percent increase from the previous year. This includes the creation of roving cleaning teams, hiring additional custodians, and expanding cleaning activities at heavily frequented stations and terminals. Moreover, Metro has allocated $290.5 million to improve safety for customers. This involves implementing a multi-layered public safety approach, including Metro Ambassadors, Transit Security Officers, law enforcement, and outreach teams focused on homeless and mental health issues. Additionally, Metro is enhancing security infrastructure and implementing initiatives to address public safety concerns at specific stations.
Recognizing the challenges of homelessness, drug addiction, and mental health crises in the county, Metro is investing in social services. Partnerships with organizations such as People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) will involve a $14 million investment in outreach to unhoused individuals. Metro is also allocating funds to a new Department of Mental Health partnership to provide training and critical crisis response needs.
Overall, the FY’24 budget prioritizes the customer experience by investing in improved transit service, enhanced cleanliness, and public safety. Metro aims to provide a world-class transportation system that meets the evolving needs of its riders and contributes to the overall well-being of the community.
