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LA Makes First Step Toward 'MicroTransit' Proposal

Los Angeles Metro recently took a step forward on its proposed Metro MicroTransit program by releasing a Request for Proposals. The agency defines MicroTransit as basically a small vehicle that can be ordered much like a Lyft or Uber and is not tied to a fixed route or fixed schedule. It is on-demand, when and where a customer wants it.

Rather than developing the project in house and then looking for an operator, the agency created the RFP to reach out to private-sector firms, with the selected vendor helping to operate the pilot and refine it.

“Metro will be an equal partner in the project to ensure that it stays laser focused on meeting Metro’s public policy goals (convenient, affordable, accessible and equitable transit) and integrates with Metro’s current rail and bus system, which is seeing record levels of new investment and expansion thanks to [LA County sales tax] Measure R and Measure M,” said Colin Peppard in LA Metro’s blog.

Peppard listed these goals for the project: “Does on-demand transportation have a place in a public transit agency’s service options? If so, what does that service look like? And what are the factors that will make it both attractive to riders and financially sustainable for Metro?”

A Los Angeles Times editorial called the project a “worthy experiment” as an additional alternative to driving and said, “Transit agencies need to realize they are operating in an increasingly competitive marketplace, and they’ve got to deliver high-quality, convenient services to keep riders and attract new ones.”

Updates on the MicroTransit project will appear here.
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