Early Results on Individual Life Outcomes from the L.A. Mobility Wallet Phase I Pilot Program

Universal basic mobility is a growing transportation concept rooted in the belief that everyone should be able to travel to the places they need — and want — to go in ways that best suit their lives and households. Reliable transportation access is essential to quality of life, yet barriers remain, especially for low-income people of color. Compared to higher-income white travelers, they often struggle to afford transportation costs and so are less likely to own cars and more likely to rely on public transit.In 2023, Los Angeles joined a small but growing number of cities in piloting a Mobility Wallet program.1 LA Metro and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) now provide transportation subsidies to low-income travelers as part of a larger commitment to advancing universal basic mobility.Phase I of the pilot launched in South Los Angeles in April 2023. One thousand low-income participants received $150per month for one year ($1,800 total) via prepaid debit cards. The cards could be used for shared transportation options, including public transit, ride-hailing (e.g., Lyft, Uber), carshare and rental cars, bikeshare, and scooters. Participants could also use their mobility wallets for bicycle-related purchases at bike shops or online.Additional transportation resources may allow participants to expand their travel options, using new travel modes, reaching more destinations and improving their quality of life. Our research examined whether and how this occurred, focusing on outcomes for participants during and after the one-year pilot program.This brief draws on in-depth English- and Spanish-language interviews with 31 participants, conducted both during and after the program. The interviewees were diverse in age, gender, car access, household composition, and employment status. All interviewees identified as people of color. We asked about their travel behavior and financial stress during and after the program, and reflections on how the Mobility Wallet affected their lives, such as connecting with friends and family or having new experiences. This longitudinal, qualitative approach provides the research team with a nuanced look into the pilot program.