Proposed Expansion of Congestion Pricing Implementation in Los Angeles Estimated to Offer Free Transit Service in Time for the 2028 Olympics and Provide Funds for the Completion of 28 Major Projects in the Area.
Los Angeles, California, United States
Metro CEO supports congestion pricing, free fares on public transit: Could tolls on drivers cut down on traffic?
Summary Information
Congestion pricing, which entails imposing rush-hour tolls on drivers or vehicle miles traveled (VMT) pricing, is often implemented by transportation agencies to encourage more drivers to take public transit. This study investigated the potential benefits from a proposed congestion pricing implementation in Los Angeles (LA), offering not only free transit service in time for the 2028 Olympics, but also providing funds for the completion of 28 major projects in the area. This planned implementation would come as an expansion to the already in place congestion pricing system, Metro’s Express Lane System, charging participating drivers a variety of prices to use dedicated lanes on the 10 and 110 freeways in LA area.
METHODOLOGY
One possibility being considered is to charge drivers when they pass through a high traffic area around downtown LA or LA International Airport, for instance. Another option being considered is VMT pricing, which has less to do with traffic conditions and depends more on how far travelers drive in a given time period.
FINDINGS
According to LA Metro officials, preliminary models estimate that the congestion pricing implementation has the potential to generate between $12 billion and $104 billion through 2028, with VMT pricing predicted to be the most potentially lucrative option.
