Topline:
LA Metro’s Board of Directors voted to extend the MicroTransit Pilot Program through September 2024.
How it works: Each $1 Micro ride for the passenger costs Metro $42 to operate. The $1 fare was supposed to be an introductory deal for the first six months, and Metro's Chief Operating Officer Conan Cheung said they are considering raising the fare to $2.50 per ride.
Why it matters: The high cost has its critics. Still, some say it's a valuable service for people who otherwise would have a hard time getting around.
LA Metro’s Board of Directors have voted to extend the MicroTransit Pilot Program through September 2024. The vote was 12-0, with director Kathryn Barger absent.
Metro launched Micro, its on-demand rideshare service, in 2020. The pilot project was supposed to last three years, but the transit agency asked for a six month extension in March.
Since launching, Conan Cheung, Metro’s Chief Operating Officer, said Metro has reworked the Micro schedule to make sure demand is met, reduce downtime for drivers, and improve the overall efficiency of the program. However, he said Metro is still looking for ways to bring down the cost and make additional improvements.
How it works and why the price tag is raising questions
Each $1 Micro ride for the passenger costs Metro $42 to operate. The $1 fare was supposed to be an introductory deal for the first six months, and Cheung said Metro is considering raising the fare to $2.50 per ride.
Director Janice Hahn said she’s regularly scrutinized the program because of the price tag, but she’s seen the value for residents, especially for older adults and the disabled community.
“It's providing a very valuable service to a lot of people but I just don't know how much more we can sustain it at over $40 a ride,” Hahn said.
What's next
Cheung said over the next year, Metro will continue to look for ways to streamline Micro service in areas that don’t have a lot of other public transit options. He said if Metro plans on raising the Micro fare, there will be a public hearing so the agency can take rider input into account.
The board also agreed to a study to see if Metro Micro should get another six months after the current extension to September 2024 is up.
Where it's available
Metro Micro now serves eight zones around L.A. County:
- Watts / Compton
- LAX / Inglewood
- North Hollywood / Burbank
- El Monte
- Highland Park / Eagle Rock / Glendale
- Altadena / Pasadena / Sierra Madre
- Northwest San Fernando Valley
Get more info on the service on LA Metro's website: Metro Micro is on-demand rideshare in your neighborhood
