Key facts
- Los Angeles is using the 2026 FIFA World Cup to test and promote its public transit system.
- The 2028 Olympics are planned to be car-free, requiring attendees to rely on transit.
- Metro added shuttle lines and borrowed buses to handle increased demand during World Cup games.
- The agency is working to improve rider safety and experience, including launching its own police force.
- A recent extension of the D line and ongoing construction aim to further expand transit accessibility.
Los Angeles is strategically using the 2026 FIFA World Cup to showcase its upgraded public transit system and test operational plans for the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games, which are slated to be car-free. Metro officials are aiming to reintroduce residents and visitors to the transit network, often overlooked in the car-centric city, as a critical component for the Olympics where no parking will be available for attendees.
For the World Cup matches, Metro implemented enhanced services, including adding 15 shuttle lines to connect major transit hubs to venues like SoFi Stadium, which lacks direct rail access. These shuttles facilitated over 30,000 rides for a single game, complementing the nearly 50,000 rides taken on rail lines. To meet the significantly higher demand anticipated for the Olympics, Metro plans to borrow approximately 3,000 buses, a substantial increase from the 200 borrowed for the World Cup.
Addressing long-standing perceptions of unreliability and safety issues, Metro has taken steps to improve the rider experience. This includes the recent launch of its own police force, expected to be fully deployed by 2029, alongside homeless outreach and crisis response teams. The agency also points to data indicating a decrease in violent crime over the past two years. Efforts to enhance cleanliness and modernize payment options, such as direct credit card use, are also underway.
Metro has actively promoted transit use during the World Cup through partnerships with FIFA, fan zones at transit hubs, and social media campaigns. These initiatives have attracted new riders, some of whom cited convenience and current gas prices as motivating factors. The recent extension of the D line, connecting downtown LA further west to popular attractions and eventually to the UCLA campus—the designated Athlete Village for the 2028 Games—represents a significant infrastructure development aimed at bolstering transit accessibility.