LA’s ‘Mobility Wallet’ Helps Bridge Transportation Gaps

A pilot program that offers Los Angeles residents money to cover transportation costs yielded positive early results, according to research from the UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies.

The Mobility Wallet is part of a broader effort to build universal basic mobility: “the notion that everyone should be able to get where they need to go, however best suits them.” The Mobility Wallet provided $150 per month to 1,000 participating Angelenos, funds that can be used for public transit, ride hailing, rental cars, and bike share systems.

Based on interviews with 31 participants, Lewis Center researchers found that subsidizing transportation had far-reaching benefits. “The most common outcome was a decrease in material hardship and general improvement in quality of life. With one less thing to budget, participants said they could redirect money to everyday expenses like groceries, school supplies, and bills.” People reported feeling less stressed and more independent, as well as more able to take their families on outings.

Because the program applied to a wide range of transportation options, it offered more flexibility than traditional transit subsidies. Many participants in the Mobility Wallet program used it as a complement to Metro’s more widely available Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) discount program. “For example, some used the wallet to pay for ride-hailing or e-scooters during long transit waits or to cover first/last-mile access.”

The city is expanding the program to 2,000 participants in the next phase.