More than 1 million individuals have enrolled in programs designed to provide free rides and discounted transit passes to students, low-income residents, and those affected by wildfires in Los Angeles since the initiative’s inception in 2021. The Los Angeles Metro (LA Metro) announced today that these efforts, through the Low Income Fair Is Easy (LIFE) and GoPass programs, have collectively facilitated more than 92 million free rides and 14 million discounted rides.
Fernando Dutra, Chair of the Metro Board and Whittier City Councilman, remarked on the significant impact of these programs. He emphasized that “transportation costs can eat up a significant portion of a household budget, second only to housing.” He noted that these initiatives enable riders to save money that can be redirected towards essential needs such as groceries, medical care, and education expenses.
The success of these programs is a point of pride for Metro’s leadership. In a statement, Stephanie Wiggins, the CEO of LA Metro, expressed satisfaction with the growth of these initiatives over the past few years. “It’s very satisfying to see how far we’ve come in a relatively short period of time,” Wiggins said. She highlighted the importance of affordable transportation, stating, “Transportation is the No. 2 household expense, behind housing, so these free rides through GoPass and LIFE are changing lives in a really meaningful way.”
Since the introduction of the LIFE program, more than 475,000 customers have registered, resulting in 25 million free rides and 14 million discounted rides. The program was expanded in response to the wildfires in January 2024, with over 6,300 fire-impacted residents signing up since that time.
New participants in the LIFE program receive a free 90-day unlimited rides pass. After this period, they can choose to load 20 free rides onto their TAP card each month or purchase discounted passes from various participating transit agencies, including the Antelope Valley Transit Authority, Burbank Bus, and Long Beach Transit.
The GoPass initiative began as a pilot program in 2021, aimed at providing free rides to students from participating school districts. Due to its success, the program was made permanent in April 2024.
Metro’s commitment to expanding these programs continues as they explore further ways to enhance accessibility for all riders who depend on public transit. The agency’s focus on affordability and support for vulnerable communities remains a cornerstone of its operational strategy, reflecting a broader commitment to addressing transportation equity in the region.
