2000 program participants will receive $1800 to use for transportation services for one year.
Los Angeles, CA (July 15, 2024)
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The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), in partnership with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), is expanding the Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) pilot with Phase II of the Mobility Wallet program.
The Mobility Wallet, the largest program of its kind in the nation, aims to address systemic barriers to safe, efficient, and reliable transportation faced by low-income Los Angeles residents. Mobility Wallets provide subsidies that can be used for transportation services including public transit, rideshare, micro-mobility, taxis, and purchases at bike shops. Phase I of the program, which ran from May 2023 to April 2024, provided 1000 low-income residents in the South LA UBM pilot area a prepaid debit card with $150 per month to spend on transportation needs.
Phase II of the Mobility Wallet program will identify 1000 new, low-income residents within the South LA pilot zone, as well as an additional 1000 low-income residents across LA county to receive the Mobility Wallet subsidy. Applications for Phase II are open now through August 31, 2024.
“As we urgently work to ensure that our transit system is safe for riders, we also must continue to expand access and reach to the communities that need it most," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. "I commend LADOT General Manager Laura Rubio-Cornejo and Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins for leading this important work.”
“LADOT is proud to continue advancing mobility equality with a new round of Mobility Wallets as part of our Universal Basic Mobility pilot program,” said LADOT GM Laura Rubio-Cornejo. “Mobility Wallets empower individuals to choose the transportation solutions that work best for them. We’re excited to double participation in South LA - LADOT’s UBM pilot area – and expand this opportunity to residents across the county.”
“Transportation is the #2 household expense behind housing for LA County families,” said Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro. “That’s why we’re proud to partner with LADOT on the Mobility Wallet. This innovative tool helps people become more mobile and levels the playing field for jobs and opportunity.”
To be eligible for Phase II, applicants must be 18 years old, live in LA County, and may not have participated in Phase I. The annual household income requirement is based on Metro’s LIFE (Low Income Fare is Easy) program. Participants will be randomly selected from all eligible applicants and must be submitted by August 31, 2024. The application and full details, including income requirements, can be found at metro.net/mobilitywallet1
Phase I garnered positive feedback from participants, who praised the program’s flexibility and reported that it made it easier to get to work, school, doctor’s appointments, and to explore Los Angeles. Participants in Phase I purchased over 140,000 trips with their mobility wallets, including 80,800 public transit rides; 60,700 rideshare trips; 2600 scooter or bike share rides; and 169 bike shop purchases.
The Mobility Wallet is part of a $30 million Universal Basic Mobility pilot program, launched by the City of Los Angeles in 2021 to provide various mobility options to increase mobility, access to opportunity, and transportation equity in South Los Angeles. The Mobility Wallet Phase II is funded by the City of Los Angeles in combination with a grant from the California Air Resources Board’s Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (CARB STEP) awarded to the City of LA in 2021, and by a Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) grant awarded to Metro in 2024.
— ADDITIONAL QUOTES —
Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Los Angeles City Council President Pro Tem
"This initiative is a significant step towards transportation equity, giving our residents the flexibility and support they need to thrive."
Lindsey P. Horvath, Los Angeles County Board Chair and Metro Board Member
"The Phase II Mobility Wallet program takes a holistic approach to meet the mobility needs of Angelenos by providing flexible clean and green transportation subsidies to thousands of households," said LA County Board Chair and Metro Board Member Lindsey P. Horvath. "I am thrilled to see this program expand to all of Los Angeles County, supporting local bicycle shops, public transit, and other essential mobility services. I extend my gratitude to Metro's funding partners for their steadfast commitment to making our communities more sustainable and connected."
Janice Hahn, Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair
It is more important than ever that we find creative new ways to help Angelenos get to where they need to go. The extension and expansion of this mobility wallet program will help thousands of people to pay for that bus ride or bike trip that otherwise would have been out of reach. This will open up job and education opportunities to more of those folks who need these things the most.
Heather Hutt, Los Angeles City Councilmember and Chair of the Transportation Committee of the Los Angeles City Council
"The Mobility Wallet is a part of the LA Department of Transportation's commitment to Universal Basic Mobility – ensuring that every Angeleno, regardless of their socioeconomic status, has access to safe, reliable, and convenient transportation options. Mobility should not be a privilege, but a fundamental right. The Mobility Wallet will bring economic empowerment and true mobility justice to the people of Los Angeles, allowing them to use ride share, rent a BlueLA car, take Metro and even use micro-mobility options such as scooters and e-bikes."
Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro Board Member
"Every resident, no matter where they live, deserves access to safe and diverse transportation options. I am eager to see the Mobility Wallet program expand across the County because Universal Basic Mobility is needed in communities in our region that rely on public transportation and would benefit most from new and innovative transportation options.”
Hilda L. Solis, Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro Board Member
“I am happy to support the next phase of this truly innovative program to continue to ensure our lower-income riders have greater access to the affordable and most-convenient transportation options they deserve. This is how we move our transportation system into the future – by working together and leveraging technology to proactively reach our low-income riders in every zip code and offer them the ability to choose the transportation option that best fits their individual needs. This is what progress looks like.”
Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro Board Member
“Expanding the Mobility Wallet pilot is a significant opportunity to address transportation inequities faced by economically disadvantaged communities. This initiative not only enhances access to diverse transportation options, but also enables us to explore innovative technologies and strategic partnerships. These efforts lay the groundwork for more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable mobility services for all our residents.”
Liane Randolph, Chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB)
“The mobility wallet program is a creative and ground-breaking idea that helps advance two important goals for California -- encouraging modes of transportation that reduce pollution and ensuring that every resident can efficiently get around to access needs and opportunities. We are proud to support the continued expansion of this important project to advance clean air and mobility justice for more Angelenos.”