Because we know little about the people who used the service most, we cannot draw hard conclusions about the efficacy of the MOD program as a way to increase access and opportunity. But the fact that almost every request came in via phone suggests that the program did not reach people who are disadvantaged by lack of a smartphone. The fact that rides were more common closer to stations suggests that it did not differentially help people who might have more trouble getting to stations in other ways. In summary, the MOD program to date suggests clearly that a ride-on-demand program can be run by a large transit agency. The service was delivered when called for and most riders who wanted a ride were successfully linked with one. What remains unclear, however, is whether the program delivered strong equity benefits that justified its expenditure. Future iterations of this program, or of other programs like it, should probably redouble efforts to reach the population that would benefit most from it and also make sure to offer ridehail service in the evening when disadvantaged travelers have the fewest options.
9. Sources FDIC 2017. FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households, Appendix Tables. LA METRO 2019. Annual On-Board Customer Satisfaction Surveys: System Results (Fall 2019).
Mobility on Demand in the Los Angeles Region
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