Is Marketing the Key to Transit Success?

Los Angeles County's transit agency has increased its marketing efforts in recent years. This piece from The City Fix suggests the push has been an effective tool and that other transit agencies should take note.

1 minute read

December 11, 2009, 10:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"Los Angeles' Metro is doing something that no transit agency in the country has ever done: it's marketing its products and services as if it were a private company bent on turning a profit. But for Metro marketing isn't about increasing the bottom line. It's about reducing traffic, cleaning the air and making people's commutes in this auto-clogged city a bit less stressful."

An accompanying video takes a look at some of the marketing efforts Metro has invested in, and the brains behind the push.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 in The City Fix

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 14, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A crane lifts a manufactured house, with is rectangular and does not yet have a roof.

HUD modernizes 50-year-old manufactured housing framework

The Next Generation Manufactured Housing Action Plan establishes new energy-efficiency standards for manufactured homes, and new guidelines for anchoring them.

October 8, 2026 - Boston Real Estate Times

Cars driving under automatic congestion pricing toll machines on Broadway next to the Trump International Hotel in Manhattan, New York City.

Data reveals that NYC’s bet on congestion pricing has paid off

After almost two years of the program, reports show positive impacts on traffic and air quality and no disruptions to parking.

October 13, 2026 - Marcelo Remond

Pedestrians in NYC cross the street.

A gas leak in NYC is costing residents $300 million

More than 90% of NYC’s electricity is from natural gas. About 2% of that gas is leaking and escaping into the air.

30 minutes ago - Gothamist

Drone photo of dam on upper Otay Lakes Reservoir. It is covered in graffiti.

CA officials have the power to fix the state’s riskiest dams. They’ve never used it

California’s 40 most hazardous dams would endanger up to 1.5 million people if they failed.

1 hour ago - Cal Matters

Aerial footage of the Hydrogen Power Plant in Fusina, Venice, Italy, highlighting its sustainable technology and industrial landscape.

Trump is shattering Pennsylvania's dreams of becoming a leader in hydrogen energy

Progress on both of the state’s planned hydrogen hubs ground to a halt after Trump took office.

2 hours ago - Inside Climate News