Coalition Welcomes Legislative Budget Agreement To Save Vital Transit Funding

Funding is essential for LA Metro’s fleet electrification goals ahead of LA 2028 Olympics

Los Angeles, CA- Today, the LA County Electric Truck and Bus Coalition welcomed news that the California Senate and Assembly have reached an agreement to restore $1.1 billion in funding for vital transit operations to the budget, undoing the massive cut in Governor Newsom’s proposed budget. The agreement follows a letter to the California Legislature that the Coalition submitted last week as part of its advocacy to restore funding. 

The budget deal restores $201.1 million in funding that was allocated to LA Metro last year under Senate Bill 125’s Zero Emission Transit Capital Program, which LA Metro critically needs in order to meet the City’s goal to electrify its fleet by 2030.

“Angelenos can breathe a collective sigh of relief that California Legislators have achieved this common-sense budget deal,” said Earthjustice Associate Attorney Candice Youngblood. “Supporting Los Angeles’ transition to electric transit will eliminate 86% of  harmful emissions and provide $223 million in public health savings.” 

In addition, reinstating this funding for zero-emissions transit buses and charging infrastructure provides LA Metro with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase Los Angeles as a global leader in sustainable transit when the City hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics.