Complement or Substitute? Understanding How a Mobility Wallet Interacts with Transit Discount Programs in Los Angeles

Research Team: Madeline Brozen (lead), Evelyn Blumenberg, Brian Harold, and Caroline Rodier

UC Campus(es): UCLA

Problem Statement: The primary approach to addressing low-income travelers' transportation needs is to provide public transit services along with free or reduced transit fares. This supply-side strategy differs from other social programs for low-income individuals, and relying solely on transit for all travel needs can be challenging. Public transit often covers fewer destinations in the same timeframe as a car, contributing to time poverty, and it is not well-suited for trip chaining, particularly for women. Additionally, transit services can lack reliability. Without support for alternative transportation options, many low-income travelers may find their transportation needs unmet. In response to this issue, agencies in Los Angeles launched a pilot program called the Mobility Wallet (MW), which provides financial resources to help low-income travelers access various shared transportation services.

Project Description: This project will evaluate the second phase of the Los Angeles pilot program as it expands countywide. Using a longitudinal pre-/post-design, the research will assess the program's effects on low-income transit users enrolled in LA Metro's fare discount program, LIFE. By leveraging multiple data sources, the research aims to understand how the mobility wallet, in conjunction with significantly reduced transit fares, impacts participants' travel behavior and quality of life outcomes. The study will focus on the relationships between existing free and reduced transit discounts, the mobility wallet, and the use of both transit and ride-hailing services.

Status: In Progress

Budget: $82,467