The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro) Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) program has achieved over 250,000 enrollments. The LIFE program helps qualifying Los Angeles County residents save money by providing free rides or deeply discounted fares on 13 transit systems across Los Angeles County.

Metro launched an improved LIFE program in 2019, which has provided more than 17 million free or discounted rides on 13 transit systems since late 2021.

To qualify for LIFE, an applicant must be 18 years or older and earn $44,150 a year or less, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Applicants who are under the age of 18, must be enrolled with an adult as head of the household. For a family of four, the income threshold is $63,050. Those new to the program will receive a free 90-day pass.

After the first 90 days, riders can either load 20 free rides or purchase a discounted pass from any of the 13 LIFE participating transit agencies.

“Public transportation is an everyday lifeline for Angelenos, and as a result of the LIFE program, we’re helping make Metro more accessible and affordable for L.A. County residents,” said Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Karen Bass. “Whether riders are headed to school, the office, visiting friends and family, or to a favorite destination, we want to ensure that everyone has the means to access public transportation.”

Growing the LIFE Program

Since January 2022, Metro has hired 24 community-based organizations to assist with the dissemination of LIFE collateral materials across L.A. County. Late last year, Metro established a pilot program with the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), where case workers shared details about the program and to date, more than 13,000 people have enrolled.

“Transportation is the second largest household expense behind housing, and we’re committed to reducing those costs for families,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “We’ve focused on expanding LIFE Program participation over the last two years, nearly tripling participation in the last two years. Our work continues as we strive to enroll even more people in the LIFE program through partnerships with community-based organizations and local governments.”

Metro’s LIFE Partners

The LIFE program works with two administrators: FAME Assistance Corporations, a community partner and leader in addressing social and economic inequalities affecting low-income, underserved communities in Los Angeles, and the International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA) who are responsible for screening eligibility, outreach, accountability, transportation subsidy security, record keeping training, and procedures for distributing transportation subsidies such as taxi vouchers.

The administrators partner with more than 150 agencies in their respective areas to support enrollments, outreach, and distribution of four-ride tickets and taxi vouchers to help riders get to doctor visits, shelters, food banks, and other appointments.