In a survey, riders expressed concern about safety, cleanliness, and timeliness on the region’s buses and trains.

Women are using Los Angeles Metro’s buses and trains less than before the pandemic, according to the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro). Writing for the Los Angeles Times, Grace Toohey explains that the agency says it is close to getting back to regular schedules but still faces an operator shortage, leading to unreliable service and long headways.
In a survey administered by Metro to over 12,000 transit riders, riders cited safety as a top concern, with other concerns including cleanliness and reliability. “Elizabeth Medrano, a bus rider since the 1990s and now a transit organizer with the nonprofit Women Organizing Resources, Knowledge and Services, said it’s hard to pinpoint one reason for decreased female ridership, but noted the pandemic is still affecting many women, who are struggling financially as they are unable to return to the jobs they held before the pandemic.”
Jennifer Vides, Metro’s chief customer experience officer, says the agency is working to address rider complaints. “We are looking at all of it, we are convening teams to talk about the results from the survey and to develop a customer experience plan that addresses these things,” Vides told the L.A. Times. “. Metro officials and community leaders are also hopeful that the new transit ambassador pilot program — which is putting 300 uniformed and trained, yet unarmed, Metro staff on trains and buses — will improve safety by increasing the number of people at transit hubs and providing support to anyone who needs help.”
FULL STORY: Women's ridership is down on L.A. Metro, new survey shows

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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