LA Metro joins forces with Via to offer first and last mile transport solution

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority (LA Metro) has partnered with Via to provide an affordable first and last mile solution to customers. Funded by the Federal Transit Administration, valued $1.35 million (£1.01 million), the plan aims to support transit agencies and communities that integrate new mobility tools such as smart phone apps, bike- and car-sharing and on-demand bus and van services.
November 21, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority (LA Metro) has partnered with Via to provide an affordable first and last mile solution to customers. Funded by the 2023 Federal Transit Administration, valued $1.35 million (£1.01 million), the plan aims to support transit agencies and communities that integrate new mobility tools such as smart phone apps, bike- and car-sharing and on-demand bus and van services.


This project is part of a two-region partnership in Los Angeles County and the Puget Sound area with King County Metro and Sound Transit where each region will be testing a new type of partnership with a transportation network company.

Using new technology, customers will be able to book a seat in a shared, dynamically-routed vehicle to or from three major Metro stations. Customers with disabilities, including those with service animals, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids or who need additional assistance to board or alight will be able to request rides that meet their needs.

The Eno Center for Transportation, UCLA and the University of Washington will be studying identify lessons learned from the project to assist future partnerships. In addition, the FTA will be working with Booz Allen Hamilton and the Transportation Sustainability Research Center to evaluate all participating Mobility on Demand (MOD) programs.

LA Metro and Via are finalizing an agreement with the intent of beginning the MOD project in summer 2018. For further information go to metro.net/mod.

Metro Chair and Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti, said: We’re making our systems more inclusive — because access to public transportation is a right, not a privilege. Everyone should be able to make a trip on Metro buses and trains, and these funds will help more riders get where they’re going quickly and conveniently."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Voting for change - the democratisation of transportation
    December 8, 2014
    Contra Costa is using an innovative planning method to gather suggestions and craft future transportation spending plans. Public opinion in matters relating to transport rarely exceeds complaints about congestion on the roads, crowded metros, slow buses with ‘exorbitant’ fares or perhaps enforcement cameras.
    Read More
  • TÜV Rheinland to provide European perspectives to US connected vehicle research programme
    March 22, 2012
    TÜV Rheinland’s ITS group, together with Booz Allen Hamilton, will support the US Department of Transportation (US DoT) Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office’s (ITS JPO) work to harmonise international ITS standards for connected vehicle technology. Specifically, TÜV Rheinland will bring to the US DoT European experiences and perspectives on the development and harmonisation of international connected vehicle standards. The standards address technologies that help build a strong and interc
    Read More
  • Orange County to manage traffic with trial interoperable CCTV
    September 12, 2014
    Interoperable CCTV can provide early warning of problems and help improve traffic management and incident response as Morteza Fahrtash and Carlos Ortiz explain. California’s transportation system is one of the state’s defining features and Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) strives to improving mobility across the state through the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the network of highway, freeways, toll roads and expressways.
    Read More
  • ITSWC 2022: tech tours & demos
    September 5, 2022
    Caltrans, USDoT's Carma and Aecom & Spoke will all be available for delegates to see
    Read More

Highlighted Content