Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Metro Board Approves $2.9 Billion for Local Transit Projects

Funding will support 66 transit operators and 89 jurisdictions across LA County

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) board approved $2.9 billion in transit funding for fiscal year 2026, officials announced Monday.

The allocation represents nearly 30 percent of Metro’s budget and will distribute resources to 66 transit operators and 89 local jurisdictions throughout the county, including Pasadena.

“The $2.9 billion in Fiscal Year 2026 transit fund allocations represents almost 30% of Metro’s budget and will ensure continued mobility improvements throughout Los Angeles County, including those areas, such as Avalon, Lancaster and Santa Clarita, that Metro doesn’t currently serve directly,” said Metro Board Chairman Fernando Dutra, who also serves on the Whittier City Council.

The funding combines federal and state pass-through grants with locally collected sales tax revenue.

Areas outside Metro’s direct service area will receive dedicated funding through California Transportation Development Act Article 8 allocations. These include Avalon, Lancaster, Palmdale, Santa Clarita and portions of unincorporated county areas.

Local jurisdictions will receive more than $800 million in fiscal year 2026 through local sales tax measures. Cities can use these funds for transit services, road improvements, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, traffic signal coordination and senior dial-a-ride services.

The funding also supports 17 municipal transit operators through California Transportation Development Act programs. These provide operating and capital funding for local transit systems.

Additional programs include Measure R bus operations funding, which allocates 20 percent of revenues for bus service operations, maintenance and expansion. Measure R was approved by voters in November 2008.

The Proposition C Municipal Operators Service Improvement Program aims to reduce overcrowding and expand services for transit-dependent residents. The Transit Service Expansion Program continues funding for eight municipal operators including Culver City, Foothill Transit, Gardena, Long Beach, Torrance, Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita and LADOT (Los Angeles Department of Transportation).

“Metro strives to ensure that all people, regardless of where they live in LA County, can benefit from healthier, stronger and safer communities,” said LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “Thanks to the Metro Board’s action, $2.9 billion will be distributed throughout Los Angeles County, to ensure local street, sidewalk, bike lane, and active local transportation improvements can continue without delay.”

Fund distribution begins in July 2025 and continues through fiscal year 2026.

Metro carries nearly 1 million daily boardings on 2,200 low-emission buses and seven rail lines. The agency is implementing its Vision 2028 Plan to improve mobility across the county.