The design of a street can include sidewalks, bicycle lanes, bus lanes, public transportation stops, and frequent and safe, accessible pedestrian crossings. The built environment is made up of all the places where we live, work and play. It includes our streets, parks, schools, workplaces, homes and public spaces. From temporary and active short-term events such as CicLAvia to long-term policies that ensure that all residents can use public streets safely and comfortably, there is a wide range of possibilities to change the way people interact with and are affected by the built environment.
It's almost ironic that a museum whose name says “Los Angeles County” is relatively inaccessible to residents of South Central. The pandemic has exacerbated the socioeconomic difficulties of low-income residents of Los Angeles and, at the same time, increased financial burdens. A subway ride from USC to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which is just eight miles away, takes about an hour and involves taking several subway lines. When the Los Angeles Times and other newspapers covered the decline in subway ridership, they asked their readers why they didn't use public transportation.
This prompted many to take a closer look at the policies in place in Los Angeles County regarding public transportation.
Understanding Public Transportation Policies in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County has a number of policies in place to ensure that public transportation is accessible to all residents. These policies include providing free or reduced-fare transit passes for low-income individuals and families; providing accessible buses and trains; providing dedicated bus lanes; and providing bike lanes for cyclists. The county also has a number of initiatives in place to encourage people to use public transportation.These initiatives include providing incentives for employers to provide transit passes to their employees; providing incentives for developers to build near transit stops; and providing incentives for people to use alternative modes of transportation such as biking or walking.
The Benefits of Public Transportation Policies in Los Angeles County
Public transportation policies in Los Angeles County have a number of benefits for both individuals and the community as a whole. For individuals, public transportation can provide access to jobs, education, healthcare, and other services that may not be available otherwise. It can also reduce traffic congestion on roads and reduce air pollution.For the community as a whole, public transportation policies can help create more vibrant neighborhoods by increasing access to services and amenities. It can also help reduce poverty by providing access to jobs and other opportunities. Finally, it can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the number of cars on the road.
Conclusion
Public transportation policies in Los Angeles County are designed to ensure that all residents have access to safe and reliable transportation options.These policies have a number of benefits for both individuals and the community as a whole. By encouraging people to use public transportation instead of driving their own cars, these policies can help reduce traffic congestion on roads, reduce air pollution, create more vibrant neighborhoods, reduce poverty, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
