LA Mayor Bass previews ‘fare-free’ system as she takes the Metro Board chair gavel for a second time

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On Wednesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass kicked off her second tenure as chair of the Metro Board, saying she was proud of the way the agency had responded to the huge influx of soccer fans for the World Cup. She said the upcoming year was the most “consequential” one in a generation to dispel the notion that the L.A. region is dependent on cars.

Fare-free future: At the annual Metro State of the Agency event, Bass said she plans to “develop a long-term financial strategy” to eventually make the countywide transportation system fare free. She also said she wants to increase the current 80 miles of peak-hour bus lanes in the county to 100 miles by 2028.

Bass transit riding habits: A spokesperson for Bass’ media office said the mayor has taken Metro “on multiple occasions.” The spokesperson said the mayor is a frequent bike rider and that she has “participated in multiple CicLAvia” events. On Thursday, at the first Metro Board meeting during the mayor’s second tenure as chair, leaders will consider pausing funding for the region’s open-streets events.

Overall system safety: In her speech as vice chair of the Metro Board, L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger celebrated a 22% decrease in violent crime on the system over the last two calendar years. “I want it to get to zero,” Barger said.

World Cup shuttle safety: Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins highlighted that there were “zero security incidents” on the agency’s special bus system that shuttled tens of thousands of people to and from SoFi Stadium during the FIFA World Cup matches.

Bus project hangs in balance: Bass said the agency’s forthcoming bus rapid transit projects are “landmark improvements”, especially as the 2028 Games approach. One of those projects, a 19 mile-long route from North Hollywood to Pasadena, could be delayed, though. In May, Metro sued the city of Burbank over its refusal to grant local construction permits for a part of the route. On Friday, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge denied Metro’s motion for a preliminary injunction that would have required the city to grant the permits, jeopardizing Metro’s plan to begin construction in Burbank on July 27.