LA Metro receives unsolicited proposal for accelerated delivery of BRT project
The agency’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation is now in the process of assembling a phase 1 review team to evaluate the concept on its financial and technical merit.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) received an unsolicited proposal from AECOM and John Laing to bring advanced cutting-edge mobility technologies and next generation bus rapid transit to the Vermont Avenue Transit Corridor through a public-private partnership (P3).
Additionally, the proposal could result in early delivery of this critical Measure M project. This is the first proposal Metro has received for this Measure M project and the 11th proposing an alternative delivery method for a major capital project.
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“Partnerships give us new opportunities and resources to bring ideas to life,” said L.A. Mayor and Metro Board Chair Eric Garcetti. “Measure M is helping us attract the kind of creative thinking and transformative technology that will accelerate our transportation future.”
Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation (OEI) is now in the process of assembling a phase 1 review team to evaluate the concept on its financial and technical merit.
“We are encouraged by this proposal for a much needed project that will have a major impact on an important north/south corridor,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “It’s another sign that the private sector is getting on board to help us advance our transportation revolution in Los Angeles County.”
The review team will be charged with reaching a decision on whether to advance the proposal to the next phase for a more detailed financial and technical review, decline further review or proceed directly to a competitive solicitation.
“P3s are a critical mechanism for bringing innovation to project delivery,” said Metro Chief Innovation Officer Joshua Schank. “The technology solutions envisioned in this proposal show that such innovation has a place in every corner of our system, from subways to light rail to bus.”
The Vermont corridor extends approximately 12.5 miles from Hollywood Boulevard south to 120th Street. It is the second busiest corridor in Los Angeles County, behind Wilshire Boulevard, with more than 45,000 weekday boardings. In addition to being one of the busiest corridors in the region, there also are approximately 150,775 people who reside in the study area, one half mile on either side.
The Vermont Avenue Transit Corridor project would help to improve transit travel speeds, relieve crowding on current service and improve on-time performance, in addition to increasing connectivity to other Metro services, such as the Red and Purple Line subway and Green Line and Expo Line light rail services.
The project is planned to receive $25 million from Measure M and $400 million from other sources. Under the Measure M spending plan, the project is scheduled to break ground in 2024 and is projected for completion between 2028 and 2030.
A major goal of the pilot, which begins in April, is to test the speed, functionality, and durability of new handheld devices to scan Ventra and paper tickets.
Traditionally, bus lane enforcement has relied on manual processes carried out by transit police or parking enforcement officers. While it may be effective in certain municipalities, this approach is resource-intensive and very difficult to sustain.
A phased approach to technology, in-house capabilities, and workforce investment is helping transportation leaders break the reactive cycle and build more resilient, revenue-focused operations.
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Menard discusses how data-driven signal prioritization is improving efficiency, reliability, and ridership, while offering insight into the innovations driving the next generation of smart mobility. Together, they explore how technology and collaboration are paving the way for a more connected, sustainable future in transit.
The pilot program showcases two companies’ technology at eight bus stops. The companies submitted their ideas through the Transit Tech Lab, which is backed by the Partnership Fund for New York City and provides an accelerated pathway for early to growth-stage companies to solve public transportation challenges for the largest transit agencies in North America.
