The LADOT launched an ambitious transit program in South Los Angeles this week. The program, known as the Universal Mobility Pilot Program, will invest $18 million in state and city funding into alternative modes of transportation. Included in the program is a $150-per-month transportation stipend for 2,000 local residents.

The program aims to give South LA residents options to get around the city other than cars. In LA, there is a widely known problem with a lack of public transportation service. Officials estimate that there are 12 times as many jobs in LA that are accessible within an hour by car than by other means. Because of a historic lack of economic opportunity in South LA, this disparity is worse for Angelenos in this area.

This program hopes to shore up that difference through a variety of transportation options. The program will fund an increase in E-bikes, electric vehicle carshares, EV shuttles, and a variety of infrastructure expansions. It will also provide job training for EV-related careers.

The transit program will fund a monthly stipend for 2,000 residents

The monthly stipend is the flagship component of the program. It will provide 2,000 South Los Angeles residents with a card preloaded with $150 in transit fare. This fare can be used on LA Metro trains, DASH buses, and a variety of the other modes of transportation that the pilot will fund.

The main goal of this program is to expand opportunities for a historically marginalized community. After all, basic needs like education, medical care, and housing can be difficult to access without adequate transportation options. And, with LA’s notorious problems with gridlock and a lack of parking, even those with cars can struggle to access these services. So, the program hopes to ease the difficulties of transportation for the entire city.