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

  • Plastic is fantastic for payment platform interoperability
    April 2, 2014
    The Sino Visitor Pass aims to promote trade between Singapore and China by making travel easier, as Jon Masters finds out. Singapore has notched up another first in transportation innovation with announcement of a dual-currency payment card in partnership with the province of Guangdong in China. From the middle of 2014, visitors to Singapore and Guangdong will be able to use a ‘Sino Visitor Pass’ to pay for use of public transportation among other things.
    Read More
  • Plastic is fantastic for payment platform interoperability
    April 2, 2014
    The Sino Visitor Pass aims to promote trade between Singapore and China by making travel easier, as Jon Masters finds out. Singapore has notched up another first in transportation innovation with announcement of a dual-currency payment card in partnership with the province of Guangdong in China. From the middle of 2014, visitors to Singapore and Guangdong will be able to use a ‘Sino Visitor Pass’ to pay for use of public transportation among other things.
    Read More
  • When caring about sharing is good business for US automakers
    October 28, 2015
    Although car-sharing and ride-sharing could drastically reduce car sales, David Crawford finds some US automakers are keen to participate in the sharing economy. Growing consumer interest in car- and ride-sharing, as opposed to outright ownership, and ride-sharer Uber’s recently stated intention to make its brand competitive with ownership on cost, are making the major US automotive manufacturers think seriously about their future sales prospects. Some have already begun exploring ways of entering the field
    Read More
  • Mind the gap! Maryland introduces bollards on metro platforms
    January 4, 2024
    Designed to protect visually impaired people, they are installed at 14 subway stations
    Read More

Highlighted Content