Metro Micro will expand into three new zones in Compton/Artesia, El Monte and North Hollywood on Monday, January 25. These areas are currently served by Metro’s Mobility on Demand pilot project, which will end Jan. 24 after two successful years of partnering with the private ridesharing company Via.

Metro Micro, the agency’s new ride-hailing service that offers shared rides operated by Metro employees in partnership with RideCo., Inc.. Metro Micro rides cost an introductory rate of $1 per ride (transfer not included) for the first six months. Rides must begin and end within each zone.

Here are maps of the three new zones — which join the Metro Micro zones we launched in December in Watts/Willowbrook and LAX/Inglewood:

Metro Micro is designed to replace short, solo trips by offering a flexible, on-demand service operated by Metro employees in vehicles that hold up to 10 passengers. Along with other safety measures, capacity is currently limited to five passengers to reduce risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Metro Micro service hours in these three zones will be:

• Compton/Artesia Zone: 9 a.m.-9 p.m., seven days a week
• El Monte Zone: 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• North Hollywood/Burbank Zone: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., seven days a week

•To book a ride, use the Metro Micro app for smartphones (available now by clicking the following links in the Apple Store and Google Play stores), this website or Metro’s call center at 323.GO.METRO (323.466.3876). Metro Micro will only pick up riders within the service areas above.

•After you order a ride, the app will provide a pickup location near your present location.

•As mentioned above, fares for first six months of Metro Micro are $1 (transfer not included). Riders will be able to pay for the service by using their TAP card with stored value or with a credit card.

•The technology behind this service will allow riders to plan entire trips – both Metro Micro and their bus or train ride – in real-time using a single mobile app, internet browser or Metro’s call center. 

•Below is a video that shows how to use Metro Micro:

The Mobility on Demand pilot began by offering shared rides to or from transit stations in those zones as a way to expand equitable, affordable and efficient access to Metro’s existing transit network. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Metro expanded to include essential locations such as grocery stores and hospitals and continued to offer rides at no cost. The project also began delivering food and diapers to families in need in partnership with First 5 LA as the pandemic grew.

“We’re incredibly proud of the successful conclusion of our Mobility on Demand pilot project and excited that the lessons learned will be applied to continue to provide our riders new, high-quality mobility options,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “Metro Micro has taken up that mantle of innovation and experimentation and we expect even more success as we expand its footprint to better help our riders get around Los Angeles County for essential trips while reducing traffic.”

Metro’s Mobility on Demand pilot was launched with private ridesharing company Via in 2019 and funded in part by a Federal Transit Administration Mobility on Demand grant and designed to offer a flexible, new option for first- and last-mile trips to and from transit. In its two years of operation, this pilot project provided more than 250,000 rides and met or exceeded project goals, including average wait times, ridership and average ride ratings, at 4.9 stars out of 5.

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, ridership grew by 178 percent in 2020 as compared to the previous year, demonstrating the value and importance of on-demand technology for essential trips for vulnerable communities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Metro expanded the Mobility on Demand project to include essential locations such as grocery stores and hospitals while continuing to offer rides at no cost. The project also began delivering food and diapers to families in need in partnership with First 5 LA as the pandemic grew. Metro will continue these essential goods delivery programs for families in partnership with First 5 LA and its partner organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The addition of the three Metro Micro service zones will be accompanied by a request from the Metro Board of Directors for just under $6 million at their Jan. 28 meeting to cover the cost of operations in these new zones beyond the current fiscal year.

Metro Micro launched Dec. 13 in two zones, Watts/Willowbrook and LAX/Inglewood. In February 2020, the Metro Board approved awarding a $29-million contract to private ridesharing company RideCo Inc. to partner with Metro to operate Metro Micro. Similar to other pilot projects, Metro Micro staff will be continually adjusting this service based on demand and real-time results from data collected during its operation.

For more information about Metro Micro, visit https://www.metro.net/micro/.