LADOT Celebrates Clean Air Day
Happy Clean Air Day, Los Angeles! Clean Air Day is a reminder of the role we all play in improving the quality of the air we breathe. In Los Angeles, transportation remains a leading contributor to air pollution, with vehicle emissions accounting for nearly 40% of the City's greenhouse gasses. Poor air quality impacts the health of our communities, especially our most vulnerable residents, making it crucial that we continue working toward a cleaner, healthier future.
At LADOT, we're also taking bold steps to offer cleaner, greener transportation options. Our electric DASH fleet is just one example. We’ve also introduced an E-bike Lending Library, giving Angelenos in South LA access to electric bikes to reduce car trips. Recent bike lane updates on Hollywood Blvd and the completion of the San Fernando Bike Path make biking safer and more accessible—sign up for our affordable bikeshare program in partnership with Metro and give them a try! We’re also expanding EV chargers across the city, and our new Roscoe Blvd bus-only lane helps prioritize sustainable public transit. Through the Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) program, we’re working to make sure all residents can access these green alternatives.
Give some of our services a try free of charge this Clean Air Day! All LADOT transit services, including DASH, Commuter Express, and LANow are fare-free today, and Metro is also providing fare-free transit and bikeshare.
We all have a part to play in keeping our air clean. Whether it’s taking public transit, carpooling, or biking, every small step helps. Let’s work together for a healthier, more breathable Los Angeles!
Ribbon Cutting at South LA Library EV Chargers
This week, representatives from CARB and Move LA visited Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Library in South LA to cut the ribbon on four new electric vehicle chargers! This installation is part of LADOT’s Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) pilot program, which is bringing clean, accessible transportation solutions directly to the communities that need them most.
In addition to the four chargers at Hyde Park Miriam Matthews library, an additional 12 chargers total will be installed over the next few months at Vernon, Ascot, and Junipero Serra libraries as part of LADOT’s Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) pilot program. This new infrastructure will help ensure that South LA is not left behind in the clean energy and electrification transition and that residents have access to affordable charging opportunities.
Once activated, these chargers will be free of charge at least through March 2026. Learn more about LADOT’s efforts to provide safe, affordable, and equitable transportation to the South LA area on our Universal Basic Mobility website.
Latino Heritage Month Employee Spotlight
Each week during this Latino Heritage Month, we will spotlight staff members at LADOT with Hispanic roots. Each has a unique story to tell and plays an integral part in the operations of LADOT to keep our City moving.
Manny Garcia
Manny Garcia serves as Senior Traffic Supervisor II in the Parking Enforcement and Traffic Control division, where he oversees the Professional Standards Group. the Return to Work section, and provides ad hoc Operations Support.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Inglewood, Manny is the first in his family to be born in the United States. His parents left Mexico for a better life, bringing his five siblings to California. “I have been here for 49 years. My view on our history is one of perseverance,” he reflected. Growing up in a large family of nine siblings, he learned the importance of humility and the value of positioning oneself to help others as the secret to a better life.
In his role at LADOT, he finds fulfillment in the work he does. “I feel that all aspects of my current functions are gratifying and cause me to be proud. If It impacts our employees and department, it needs to be addressed. See a need, fill a need! Do what's right and you'll be alright!” One of the highlights of his career has been working with Workday, a project that demanded many sleepless nights but allowed him to help many people.
What Manny loves the most about Los Angeles is the City's diversity and the richness of its communities. From a professional standpoint, he appreciates the functional operational structure of the City, which involves collaboration across so many departments.
Julio Calderon
Julio Calderon is a Management Analyst and serves as an Adjudications Office Manager. Before this role, he worked as a transportation investigator for the LAPD.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Julio has a rich heritage that has shaped his life and career. His mother was Spanish, and his father was Indigenous American, with roots in California before it became a state. Despite facing challenges due to his mixed heritage, Julio embraced his identity with pride. Growing up in South Los Angeles and later in Watts, he experienced harsh realities which shaped his career dedicated to serving his community. “Being raised in a tough environment has made me strong and resilient. I am no longer just someone stuck in the middle of the aisle. Now I’m the face of Los Angeles and most of all, a true Angeleno."
His career with the City of Los Angeles began as a public safety officer with the General Services Police, later transferring to LAPD and becoming a sergeant in the airport office, traffic, and security unit. Finally, his pursuit of success led him to LADOT. These experiences give him insight into police and community relations, driving him to become a volunteer chaplain and crisis prevention counselor and promote unity and healing in his community.
Reflecting on his career, he is proud of a department that values diversity and inclusion. “The fact that I was able to be promoted from Investigator to Adjudications Manager is a testimony of DOT’s inclusivity and career development assistance,” he shared.
While proud of his heritage, Julio doesn’t let it define him. "That is the thing I most like about Los Angeles: the fact that any person from any part of the world can come to live here and be embraced as part of our city and community, regardless of nationality, ancestry, or creed." He loves that Los Angeles is a city where anyone from different backgrounds can succeed. “I hope the fact that this poor kid from the Barrio made it serves as a testimony that anyone can accomplish their dreams and be successful."
Join Us October 13 for CicLAvia: Heart of LA!
CicLAvia is coming back to DTLA! The iconic Heart of LA open streets route will return to Boyle Heights, Chinatown, Downtown, Echo Park, and Little Tokyo on Sunday, October 13 from 9am until 4pm. Visitors will be able to explore 7.5 miles of open streets at this free and family-friendly event.
CicLAvia transforms public streets into car-free parks which can be enjoyed in any people-powered way, be it biking, walking, jogging, roller-blading, or simply finding a seat and people-watching! Visit ciclavia.org to view the route map and learn more.
Participate in our Community Surveys:
You are the ultimate expert for your community. LADOT wants your input as we plan projects to improve the safety, sustainability, and livability of Los Angeles communities.
BlueLA Crowdsourcing Survey
Your input drives BlueLA powered by Blink Mobility forward. Share your dream destinations & station locations in this quick survey. Let's shape the future of car sharing together!
EV Chargers in South LA
Where do you want to see more EV chargers in South LA? As part of LADOT's UBM pilot, we're installing 100+ EV chargers. Help us determine where chargers are most needed by taking our brief survey.
Transportation Photos of the Week
CARB and Move LA celebrate the installation of EV chargers at Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Library on October 1, 2024