Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass hit the pavement today alongside sanitation workers in Koreatown, to proudly share that her administration is on an effective quest to enhance city services. According to a statement obtained by the Mayor's Office, Los Angeles has witnessed an uptick in services provided in 2024 compared to the previous two years. This boost comes in time as L.A. gears to host events with global eyes like the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Ridership on L.A. Metro has steadily ascended since Mayor Bass took office, now averaging over a million daily boardings. Under her watch, a wave of safety measures was initiated, including a law enforcement surgeon in public transit that saw a fall in violent crime, as per Metro data. "We are working to improve City services as we continue urgent preparations to host world events," Mayor Bass told the Mayor's Office. Even students now enjoy the perks of the permanent Student GoPass, which gifts them free, unlimited rides.
On the streets, over 250 speed humps and 450 School Slow Zones have been implemented, mitigating the dangers that once loomed over neighborhood schools. LADOT now boasts its largest crossing guard deployment in ten years. Moreover, the city's infrastructure isn't lagging; reinforced safety barriers are making their way onto buses, aiming to close out the year strong with complete installations.
The city is brightening its nights, quite literally, with the installation of over 200 solar streetlights. More parks and playgrounds opening up, including the 10th Community School Park, adding to the city's appeal as a place to live and play. "We are making Los Angeles more livable, and that urgent action will continue into the new year," Mayor Bass emphasized.
Paving the way for an interconnected administration, Mayor Bass signed on new Commissioners to the Board of Public Works, ensuring a more streamlined service delivery across communities. Partnerships with Caltrans and Union Pacific Railroad broaden the scope to territories that were once oversight gaps in the pursuit of a cleaner city.
Looking ahead, the city is poised for a digital transformation with the modernization of the 311 platform expected in 2025, aiming to further refine the customer experience for residents. Meanwhile, language barriers are being challenged with a dedicated coordinator and draft plans to cater to L.A.'s linguistic diversity. The spark of cultural identity is something the administration holds close, recognizing it not only in infrastructure but in the very fabric that weaves this community together.
L.A.'s international relations are also strengthening, with strategic trips and collaborations, such as the ones observed in Paris, France, for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games – all to welcomely prepare for L.A.'s spotlight turn in 2028. This comprehensive approach reflects a city that is not only bracing to impress the world in the coming years but also laying a sustainable foundation for its constituents' quality of life and legacy initiatives.
