Reviving Transit Ridership

Thursday, June 29th, 2023

Helms Design Center
8745 Washington Boulevard, Culver City
8:30 am – 9:30 am PST

Doors open at 7:45 for registration, breakfast and networking.

RSVP Required!

 

Los Angeles County transit agencies are investing billions in new bus and rail infrastructure and services. Two new rail lines have opened on the Westside in the past ten years, with more to come. However, transit ridership is trending in the opposite direction. Ridership on the Los Angeles Metro system is down by approximately one third from pre-pandemic levels. Reasons include everything from work-from-home to increased crime and vagrancy, reduced service hours, and increased vehicle headways. And things could get even worse, as decreased farebox recovery and expiring pandemic emergency funds apply even more pressure to reduce levels of service. If Angelenos avoid the train and bus, opting for personal vehicles and Zoom, what does that mean for Los Angeles? Regionwide goals for reducing pollution and increasing transit-oriented development, walkability, and housing production are all at stake.

At WUF this month, LA Metro officials and transit advocates will survey the challenges facing Metro and other transit service providers. Join us for a panel discussion on ways to maintain transit service, attract riders, and make the most of the crucial infrastructure and civic amenity that the Los Angeles region needs.

Panelists
Steve Fiechter, Sr., Director of Metro Services, People Assisting the Homeless (PATH)
Daniel Rodman, Deputy Director Transportation, Mayor Karen Bass’s Office
Pamela Krebs, Executive Officer, Los Angeles Metro, Communications – Public Relations
Stephen Tu, Sr. Director for Operations, Los Angeles Metro

Moderator
Eli Lipmen, Executive Director, Move LA

Registration Fees

$50 Members
$65 Non-Members
$10 Student Members & Retired Members
$15 Student Non-Members & Retired Non-Members

Pre-registration closes on Wednesday, June 28th, at 4:00 PM. After Wednesday, June 28th, onsite registration will be available at the cost of an additional $10. No refunds or credits will be provided after this day.

Event Time

7:45 am – 9:30 am
7:45 am – Registration & Light Breakfast
8:30 am – Panel Discussion

Location

The Helms Design Center is located at the Helms Bakery campus at 8745 Washington Boulevard in Culver City.

Directions
Avoid the stress of rush hour and skip traffic! The Helms Design Center at 8745 Washington Blvd in Culver City is conveniently located a short, pleasant walk from a number of transit lines, including:

• Metro Rail “E” (Expo) Line Culver City Station (1 block west at Washington and National Blvds), and
• Culver City Bus “1” and “1C1” lines (at the adjacent Washington Blvd/Helms Avenue street corner).

Protected bike lanes along Washington Blvd. connecting to Culver City’s larger bike lane network also provide a convenient, safe way to get to the Design Center.

For those who choose to drive, parking is available in the adjacent interior parking garage at 8711 Washington Blvd (look for the red banners), or there is parking available throughout the Helms Bakery complex.
Parking Map

Sponsor Provided Tickets
Thanks to the generosity of our annual Sponsors, WUF has a small number of free tickets available to members of the community.  If you are not able to join as a member or purchase a ticket for this month’s panel presentation, but would like to join us, please write us at info@westsideurbanforum.com to inquire if we have any remaining sponsor provided tickets.

Image: CartoonLover66 via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0)