LAist relies on your reader support, not paywalls.
Freely accessible local news is vital. Please power our reporters and help keep us independent with a donation today during our fall member drive.
Coronavirus Is Putting LA Metro Deep In The Hole
(Photo Courtesy Steve Hymon/L.A. Metro via Flickr)
The coronavirus pandemic continues to take a toll on public transportation services across the Los Angeles.
LA Metro already scaled back weekday bus and rail services due to the outbreak – in recent weeks, ridership has plummeted by 70 to 80%.
That's put a big dent in farebox revenue. Ordinarily, Metro would expect $23 million from riders each month.
The agency is also contending with a steep drop in sales tax revenue from L.A. County, its largest source of funding. The county shortfall is projected at more than one billion dollars from March through the end of August. Metro CEO Phil Washington told our public affairs show AirTalk today that the agency is banking on federal stimulus dollars through the CARE Act:
"All of that is in the mix, if you will. But our losses will exceed anything we get from the federal government."
MORE ON TRANSPORTATION
- What LA's Budget Cuts Mean For Street Safety Projects
- Vision Zero Was Already Far Behind Goals -- Now It Faces Millions In Cuts
- LA Metro Ridership And Sales Tax Revenue Are Plummeting Because Of Coronavirus
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.