Los Angeles Metro Eyes Going Fareless

Posted on by Victoria Gaines

If successful, it would be the largest public transportation system in the world to go fareless.

What We Know:

  • The announcement was made by Metro CEO Phil Washington at the meeting of the Metro Board of Directors on August 27th, and made public via Metro’s online blog The Source.
  • On Sept. 1st, Metropolitan Transportation Authority of Los Angeles will be launching an internal exploratory task force who will work on a proposal to eliminate fares.
  • The task force will be called the Fareless System Initiative or FSI and they will be responsible for delivering a plan to the Metro Board of Directors by the end of 2020. This plan should also include potential sources for additional funding.
  • In his comments to Metro employees, Phil Washington said this consideration is a great opportunity to help the most vulnerable in the city of Los Angeles recover from the Coronavirus Pandemic. Another goal of Mr. Washington’s is to increase ridership on the Los Angeles Metro thus clearing up some of the congestive traffic that Los Angeles is notorious for.
  • Mr. Washington also noted ethical reasons for the consideration.

“LA Metro has a moral obligation to pursue a fareless system and help our region recover from both a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic and the devastating effects of the lack of affordability in the region.”

  • Mayor Eric Garcetti tweeted his support of the plan on Thursday.

  • Some critics of the plan have noted that fareless ridership could increase the number of people experiencing homelessness frequenting the public transit system for long periods of time. The Source commented that they would be considering the needs of the homeless population in their study.

The Fareless System Initiative will begin its work this coming week.

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