Metro’s ride-hailing, on-demand, e-taxi program — the most costly service per ride offered by the Los Angeles County transit agency — faces some significant changes, including a big fare hike, possible service area cutbacks and even elimination.
LA Metro’s MicroTransit runs nine-seat blue vans that pick up individuals at their location and drop them off at the rider’s designated spot, all short rides within limited zones. The flexible service can be ordered using an app on a smartphone, from the agency’s website, or by dialing up a ride — similar to what private, for-profit companies such as Lyft and Uber offer — but Metro service offers it at substantially lower rates.
Metro Micro costs the transit agency $42 per ride, for a total of about $31 million annually, according to Metro. In comparison, Metro subsidizes its buses at about $8 per ride and its bus riders make up 80% of about 950,000 total weekday boardings across the system.
While many people have never heard of Metro Micro, it has been operating for three years and covers 165 square miles in 27 cities and 12 unincorporated county areas. It serves eight zones including North San Fernando Valley; North Hollywood/Burbank; Highland Park/Eagle Rock/Glendale; Pasadena/Altadena/Sierra Madre; El Monte; UCLA/Westwood; LAX/Inglewood; and Watts/Compton.
Metro has kept the Micro fare at $1 — an introductory price that was supposed to run out. The general fare on a fixed-route bus, or on Metro rail, is $1.75.
While the Metro board extended the service for another year on Sept. 29, the agency is giving the public an opportunity to weigh in on the program during several Metro Service Council meetings in January (see list below).
After the public meetings, the question of what to do with Metro Micro will be brought to the Metro Operations Committee meeting on Jan. 18, and then to the Metro Board of Directors meeting on Jan. 25.
On the table is a rate change to $2.50 per ride. The staff proposal…
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