Metro’s FY26 Budget: Investing in a Safer, Cleaner, and More Connected Future for LA County

Have you ever wondered how Metro decides where to spend its money each year? Metro’s Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget, which was approved by the Metro Board last May, is now available to the public. The document sets a clear path forward for a safer, cleaner, and more customer-focused transit system for LA County.

Developed with extensive public feedback, this $9.5-billion balanced budget reflects Metro’s commitment to financial responsibility, community engagement and transformative growth, especially as Los Angeles prepares to host several mega-events in the years ahead.

A Budget Built on Your Priorities

The budget is more than just a financial plan; it is a direct reflection of the community’s voice. Through the award-winning My Metro Budget Activity outreach effort, over 6,400 people participated, including more than 4,300 written comments. A Budget Telephone Town Hall was also hosted, and 25 stakeholder meetings took place.

From that valuable input, three key themes emerged loud and clear:

• Safety
• Cleanliness
• Reliable and frequent service

These priorities are at the heart of the FY26 budget, driving investments in both daily operations and infrastructure.

Safety First: A Comprehensive, Care-Based Approach

With a $419.4 million investment in public safety (a 10.2% increase overFY25), a comprehensive, care-based strategy continues to be built. This includes:

• Hiring 46 new Transit Security Officers.
• Expansion of the Transit Ambassador program; the program’s teams have already engaged with over 1.6 million riders and helped save more than 300 lives.
• Deployment of teams 24/7 to connect unhoused riders with critical resources like housing and family reunification.
• Partnerships with the Department of Health Services (DHS) and the use of multidisciplinary outreach teams to address complex needs on the system.
• Continued development of a new, in-house Department of Public Safety (DPS) for a more accountable and transparent safety framework.

Piloting new technologies, such as the Weapons Detection Phase 2 Pilot, using AI-powered camera analytics and concealed weapon screening to enhance rider protection. 

A Cleaner Transit System, Every Day

Cleanliness is not just about looks—it is about comfort, dignity, and pride in public spaces. For that reason, investment of $316.0 million (a 14.6% increase over FY25) is dedicated to expanding cleaning operations. Hiring 118 additional staff to maintain bus and rail vehicles, stations, stops, and facilities is underway. Also, the expansion of rail cleaning to a three-shift, seven-day-a-week schedule is planned, along with the addition of custodial staff to support the A and D Line expansions.

The budget also supports the expansion of free, clean, and ADA-accessible Throne Restrooms, with plans for 50 units by summer 2026 and 64 by early 2027.

Building a Stronger Transit System for the Future

As Metro enters a phase of major growth with projects like the D Line Westside Extension and the A Line to Pomona, the FY26 budget prioritizes system expansion and maintenance.

Key investments include:

• Increasing bus service to improve frequency and reliability.
• Enhancing the Station Experience through better lighting and more reliable elevators and escalators.
• Expanding the Tap-to-Exit and taller faregate pilots to help reduce fare evasion and improve security. Across the 14 stations of the B Line, the Tap-to-Exit pilot led to a 15% increase in paid rides and a 40% drop in reported crimes, a result that is leading to a systemwide rollout.
• Installing taller, more secure faregates at 29 additional rail and busway stations – with full implementation targeted for completion by the end of the current fiscal year.

Looking Ahead

While the FY26 budget is balanced, challenges are recognized, including potential revenue shortfalls and rising costs. To address this, implementation of cost controls continues with the Equitable Zero-Based Budgeting (EZBB) process, and new funding is being actively pursued, especially at the federal level.

The budget is more than just about buses and trains; it is about building a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable Los Angeles. With every dollar spent, creation of a legacy of mobility, economic opportunity, and community development is underway, a legacy to benefit generations to come.

From new safety technologies to restroom access, from cleaner stations to better service, the FY26 budget is a direct response to rider feedback. Focus remains on delivering a transit system that is safe, clean, reliable, and welcoming for all.

To explore the full budget, the entire document can be viewed, and feedback can be shared at budget.metro.net.