With voter-approved funding and federal grants, investments in public transportation are driving new and expanded options for residents to move away from single-occupancy private vehicles. This comes at a critical time, after ridership declined during the COVID-19 pandemic and with the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games approaching.
For decades, government and other institutions, both nationally and locally, have prioritized private vehicle travel at the expense of other modes. Today, automobile infrastructure still dominates the built environment. Most LA County residents take trips in private vehicles, emitting vast quantities of harmful pollutants into the air. By developing programs that focus on reducing the number of miles people travel in private vehicles, the County will help people choose alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles. These programs will expand residents’ mobility, including those for whom limited automobile access translates into stifled economic opportunity.
The County will prioritize public transit as the most efficient way to move people. Transit will be the backbone of the transportation system, while other modes and new technologies, including walking, biking, and e-scooters, will support a reduction in vehicle miles traveled.
| Baseline | Progress | 2030 Target | 2035 Target | 2045 Target | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Countywide | About 11% of all commute trips in LA County were made by foot, bike, micromobility, or public transit in 2017 Source: U.S. Census |
About 11% of all commute trips in LA County were made by foot, bike, micromobility, or public transit in 2023 |
Increase to at least 15% of all commute trips by foot, bike micromobility, or public transit |
Increase to at least 30% of all commute trips by foot, bike micromobility, or public transit |
Increase to at least 50% of all commute trips by foot, bike micromobility, or public transit |
| Countywide | LA County tallied 21.9 average daily vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita in 2017 Source: Caltrans |
LA County tallied 20.2 average daily VMT per capita in 2022 |
Reduce average daily VMT per capita to 18 miles |
Reduce average daily VMT per capita to 15 miles |
Reduce average daily VMT per capita to 10 miles |
| Countywide | Average transportation costs as a share of income (Transportation Cost Index) is 17% in LA County Source: Center for Neighborhood Technology |
New target, no progress update |
Reduce average Transportation Cost Index to 12% |
Reduce average Transportation Cost Index to 10% |
Reduce average Transportation Cost Index to 5% |
| Countywide | There were 618 traffic-related fatalities in 2015 Source: Transportation Injury Mapping System |
There were 606 traffic-related fatalities in 2024 |
Eliminate traffic- |
Maintain zero traffic- |
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