To convince residents to replace solo driving with mass transit, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is launching a cash incentive program paying participants up to $600 to park at least one household car and try walking, bike sharing, carpooling, or taking a train or bus, according to the agency.
The transit agency is organizing room for about 2,000 participants for the initiative, titled the “One Car Challenge, Phase 2.” High gas prices resulting from the Iran-Israel War could also motivate some drivers to ditch their vehicles temporarily and save cash at the pump, according to the agency. “We are expecting several thousand to sign up,” LA Metro spokesman Patrick Chandler said. The agency estimates that about 30% of daily solo car trips could be replaced by walking, carpooling, or public transit.
Eligibility Requirements and Registration Details
Applicants must register online directly at metro.net/onecar. To qualify, participants must be at least 21 years old, have one or more cars in their household, and keep one vehicle idle for five weeks. Successful participants can receive up to $600 for completing the program. While the transit agency initially preferred households with two cars to see what it is like to leave a second family car behind, Chandler stated that the program is open to one-car owners willing to go car-free for five weeks, provided they have nearby transit options.
Participants will use the GoCarma smartphone app to track odometer readings and travel behavior. Metro noted that the app respects data privacy. Participants may also be asked to submit photos of their vehicle’s odometer before, during, and at the end of the five-week period to document reduced driving. The pilot is funded by a $2 million grant acquired from the Southern California Association of Governments.
Historical Context and Transit Corridors
The first phase of the challenge took place in the fall of 2023 in Santa Monica, utilizing 300 participants from multi-car households. Traffic engineers found a significant reduction in vehicle use during that trial, noting a meaningful shift toward walking, biking, and scootering. Chandler attributed part of that success to Santa Monica’s robust Big Blue Bus system and the proximity of the LA Metro E Line western terminus. By comparison, a 2003 Federal Highway Administration report on Seattle’s “One-Less-Car Demonstration Study” with 86 participants showed a reduction in total miles driven by 41,463, saving 8,003 car trips.
For Phase 2 across Los Angeles County, the ideal participants are those living near transit corridors, such as major bus lines or light-rail stations. Bart Reed, executive director of The Transit Coalition, pointed to the San Fernando Valley, where residents living within a quarter mile of major bus routes like Line 165 on Vanowen Street or the LA Metro G Line (Orange Line) BRT could easily substitute driving. Similarly, residents in the north San Gabriel Valley, South LA, and Long Beach living near the lengthy A Line stations may find the challenge feasible. Bin Jhang of Pasadena, a daily A Line rider to Duarte who no longer owns a car, noted that the program provides an appealing way to encourage train and bus ridership.
Did You Know? LA Metro’s Phase 2 expansion follows a 2023 pilot in Santa Monica that involved just 300 participants from multi-car households and resulted in a noticeable shift toward walking, biking, and scootering.
Potential Broader Impacts and Public Reaction
If the agency documents a reduction in vehicle miles traveled, the outcome could encourage new incentivized behavioral projects known as transportation demand tools, such as toll lanes or congestion fees for traffic-heavy areas. LA Metro stated that the goals include increasing long-term ridership, improving traffic flow, and lowering vehicle emissions. The initiative also serves as preparation for managing traffic ahead of the 2028 LA Olympic and Paralympic games.
Public reaction on social media has been divided. One Reddit commenter criticized the logistics of public transit, stating that a multi-transfer commute would waste hours daily for a $600 incentive. Conversely, another Reddit user facing a costly $1,700 catalytic converter replacement for a failing smog check expressed enthusiasm for transit alternatives. Regular train and bus fares cost $1.75 each way, with discounts available for seniors, disabled riders, and students, alongside the LIFE Program offering low-income riders 90 days of unlimited free rides followed by 20 free rides each month.
Expert Insight: Cash incentive programs like the One Car Challenge test whether targeted financial nudges can permanently alter commuting habits, potentially laying the operational groundwork for the traffic management strategies Los Angeles will need ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to participate in the One Car Challenge, Phase 2?
Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have one or more cars in their household, keep one vehicle idle for five weeks, and have nearby transit options.
How much can participants earn through the program?
Participants can get paid as much as $600 for not driving their car and completing the five-week challenge.
How does LA Metro verify that the unused car stays parked?
Participants use GoCarma’s smartphone app to track odometer readings and travel behavior, and they may be asked to submit odometer photos before, during, and after the five-week period.
What are your thoughts on using cash incentives to reduce solo car commuting in Los Angeles?
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