Enhancing the Transit Experience with Stephen Tu: Innovations at LA Metro

For people to want to ride transit, they need to feel safe. And feeling safe is more than just physical safety, it's a perception. A perception based on cleanliness, vandalism, anti-social behaviors, loitering, open drug use, fare jumping; things that create a feeling of disorder on top of actual physical safety. This was a huge problem in LA overall, so they decided to do something about it. On this episode Paul talks with Stephen Tu, the Deputy Executive Officer for Station Experience at LA Metro on how they did it first at one station and are now expanding the changes system-wide. Some of the programs they talk about are: Tap-to-exit program on fare gates Open elevator doors Smart restrooms, Ambient noise in parking garages and classical music in stations Stephen talks about the results and the tremendous difference these efforts have made. The pilot tests were so successful that Stephen is in the process of rolling these tactics across the entire LA Metro subway system. But these tactics are only one side of the issue, Stephen also talks about LA Metro is helping people with reduced fares, community support workers, and other tangible things to address the root causes of these anti-social behaviors. All within the context of planning for the 2028 Olympic Games. Coming up next week we have a special episode brought to by the South West Transit Association (SWTA). We'll bring you the recording from their post-election update and discussion with members broadcast and recorded on November 12. 00:00 Creating a better experience at LA Metro Stations 00:05 Introduction and background 01:59 Welcome Stephen Tu 02:33 Overview of the Station Experience Program 03:48 Addressing Societal Challenges and Safety 05:33 Success Stories and Program Expansion 06:35 Innovative Fare Collection: Tap to Exit 10:39 Open Elevator Doors Initiative 13:21 Smart Restrooms for Riders 17:05 Music and Ambient Noise for Better Experience 21:04 Conclusion and Future Outlook 23:05 Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.comHost: Paul ComfortProducer: Paul ComfortEditor and Writer: Tris HusseyExecutive Producer: Julie Gates Special thanks to:Brand design: Tina OlagundoyeSocial Media: Tatyana MechkarovaMarketing content, Transit Unplugged Newsletter, & transit puns: Tris Hussey If you have a question or comment, email us at info@transitunplugged.com. Follow us on social media: LinkedIn - Twitter - Threads- Instagram - Facebook Sign up for the Transit Unplugged Newsletter Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the...