Transit Oriented Communities

Metro has a plan for a better LA. Our unprecedented transportation investment is an opportunity to reshape how people move and live in LA County, and sow the seeds for a more equitable, sustainable region. We are looking beyond the footprint of Metro stations and bus stops to think holistically about the design and function of neighborhoods, with a goal to realize transit-oriented communities.

What are transit-oriented communities?

Transit-oriented communities (TOCs) are places that, by their design, make it more convenient to take transit, walk, bike or roll than to drive.

Where Metro leads: Metro is responsible for planning, designing, building and operating transit service in LA County. Metro seeks to leverage infrastructure investments and assets for community development and transformation.
Where Metro partners: Metro partners with local jurisdictions, community groups, faith and labor organizations, and the private sector to encourage and incentivize policies that improve the quality of life.

What is Metro’s Transit Oriented Communities Policy?

In June 2018, the Metro Board of Directors adopted the TOC Policy, an ambitious effort that formalizes Metro’s commitment to partner with the 88 cities and unincorporated areas in LA County to support “TOC activities.” The policy links local projects to Metro’s regional transit investments to achieve five key goals:

Increase transit ridership and choice
Stabilize and strengthen communities around transit
Engage communities and partners in visioning
Distribute transit benefits to all
Capture value created by transit

Metro will adapt its approach over time in collaboration with each community as the landscape evolves.

How is Metro approaching transit-oriented communities?

Metro’s Transit Oriented Communities program focuses on finding and strengthening synergies between transit and the surrounding streets, public spaces and developments to support an expanding transit network.

First/Last Mile

Metro works with local communities and stakeholders to develop a set of community-supported improvements along key pathways to Metro stations and bus stops. As part of the planning for all new transit lines, Metro wants to create good connections for all ages and abilities to safely walk, bike or roll to transit

Systemwide Design

Metro is implementing new Systemwide Station Design Standards to improve the customer experience and ensure new stations have consistent state-of-the-art architecture that is safe, smart, clean and green. Our new station designs integrate unique public art and sustainable landscaping to tie each station to its surrounding community

Joint Development

Metro partners with developers, stakeholders and local jurisdictions to envision, design and build development projects on Metro-owned properties. Joint development projects are vetted through a competitive bid or Unsolicited Proposals process with extensive community input. The program also seeks to build community benefits like affordable housing that can otherwise be difficult to deliver

Transit Supportive Planning

Metro supports local jurisdictions in developing and adopting transit-supportive policies and programs to leverage the value of transit investments and increase ridership

This work includes:

Developing best practice guides and resources, such as the Transit Supportive Toolkit and Metro Transfers Design Guide.
Enacting the TOC Implementation Plan which includes providing grant writing assistance and technical assistance for community development and land use planning.
Coordinating with adjacent property owners and developers through the Adjacent Development Review Team to ensure safe construction and strengthen connections to transit.
Leading extensive redevelopment activities in and around Los Angeles Union Station.

Additional Resources

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