Los Angeles launches universal basic mobility pilot

Los Angeles’ Department of Transportation (LADOT) has launched a US$17.8 million Universal Basic Mobility (UBM) pilot to bring a mix of affordable transport options to the city’s most underserved communities.

The pilot will offer South LA residents a variety of mobility options for free or at reduced cost, and includes an e-bike loan scheme, a free on-demand electric vehicle (EV) shuttle service, an expanded EV-sharing programme and more EV charging points.

In addition, the agency will partner with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (METRO) to subsidise transit fares for 2,000 residents.

“Mobility is essential to opportunity. That is what drives LADOT’s commitment to provide Universal Basic Mobility for Angelenos,” said LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds.

“As a city, we must prioritise equal access to dignified, reliable, safe and affordable transportation that serves residents’ needs regardless of income.

“This initiative helps empower South LA communities and lay the foundation for a concerted, citywide effort to achieve Universal Basic Mobility.”

Infrastructure boost

The city chose South LA for the pilot due to the high proportion of households below the poverty line as well as the large share of residents who rely on public transit.

According to LADOT, residents can reach 12 times as many jobs with a car as they can with public transit, and the programme aims to close this gap.

Through the scheme, the overall transport ecosystem of the area will be improved, with additional bike lanes, bus-only lanes, 100 shared EVs and 250 e-bikes – some of which are adaptive cargo bikes.

A free EV shuttle will run for the length of the pilot and a workforce training programme for 30 students in EV and e-bike maintenance will also be initiated.

In autumn, the city will start distributing mobility wallets for 2,000 residents that will provide US$150 monthly payments to a total of US$1,800 over the full calendar year.

The funds will be available through a prepaid debit card which can be spent on a variety of transportation options, including transit passes, bike shares, EV car rentals or services from rideshare companies like Lyft or Uber.

Holistic benefits

The city will partner with the University of California-Davis to examine the holistic and qualitative benefits not typically measured in transit projects.

“We are privileged to partner with LADOT and other community partners to bring this mobility wallet solution to South LA residents,” said LA Metro CEO Stephanie N. Wiggins.

“This is a first-of-its kind pilot for these residents and it will make it easier for them to get to jobs, run errands, shop and travel throughout our county [and] also advances our agency’s own mission to provide high-quality mobility options and positively impact communities with equitable and inclusive solutions.”

The pilot follows other universal basic mobility programmes across the US, such as Portland’s ‘transportation wallets’ for affordable housing residents, Pittsburgh’s monthly transit subscriptions, and Oakland’s US$300 prepaid debit cards.

Image: LADOT