Date: May 5, 2025
Author(s): Sang-O Kim, Madeline Brozen, Madeline Wander, tamika l. butler, Evelyn Blumenberg
Abstract
Transportation affordability is a major concern for low-income people and households across the United States. Despite this, there is no federal mandate to financially support the mobility needs of low-income people — besides fare discounts for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
This brief compares L.A.’s two primary mobility assistance programs: the Mobility Wallet pilot and Metro’s Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE), launched in 2019, which provides 20 free transit rides per month. The findings draw from 31 in-depth interviews with participants conducted at the conclusion of the wallet’s first phase.
About the Project
Mobility wallets are a relatively new approach to addressing financial barriers to travel among transport-disadvantaged communities. Individuals are provided with funds to pay for a range of mobility options, including […]