Los Angeles Extends Successful Via Microtransit Pilot With Increased Funding
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority extends its microtransit partnership with Via after a successful first year that provides over 75,000 rides. The expanded six-month pilot features longer operating hours and millions in new funding.
Los Angeles County Metro extends its microtransit pilot program with Via for an additional six months following a highly successful first year. Since its initial launch in January 2019, Via provides more than 75,000 rides to residents in the car-dependent city. The service focuses on first mile/last mile connections, transporting passengers to and from three key transit stops in Compton, El Monte, and North Hollywood using an algorithm that matches riders going in the same direction.
The expanded pilot brings extended operating hours, running from 6 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. Metro allocates $2.2 million for this six-month extension, with another $2.7 million set aside for a future expansion. More than $500,000 of this new funding carries over from the initial phase, as the original $2.5 million project comes in under budget.
This partnership represents a significant push by Los Angeles to improve its public transportation options and combat notorious traffic congestion. While two other companies, RideCo and Transdev, also pilot microtransit solutions in the area, Via's extended hours mirror successful strategies used in Seattle. As Los Angeles continues to develop its broader microtransit program, these on-demand shuttles aim to extend the benefits of shared transportation to a wider audience.