Thanks to LA Metro’s Mobility Wallet pilot programme, basic mobility is now a reality for thousands of Los Angeles residents. 

Launched in May 2023 as part of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation’s Universal Basic Mobility initiatives, Mobility Wallet provides a stipend to low-income residents for a range of transport needs, including Uber journeys. 

As the largest mobility wallet initiative in the United States, the programme aims to promote transport access, encourage equity, and improve quality of life for Angelenos. Let’s find out how it’s been going. 

Transforming lives, transporting Angelenos

In Phase I of Metro’s Mobility Wallet (May 2023 to April 2024), 1,000 low-income residents of South Los Angeles received a monthly £150 transport allowance on a prepaid card. This allowance covered a range of shared transport services, such as Metro Bus and Rail, e-scooters and bikes, regional transport options like Amtrak and Greyhound, and Uber journeys.

As reported by Mass Transit, an initial survey showed that 80% of Mobility Wallet participants were on financial assistance programmes, more than 60% frequently used public transport, 50% did not have a driving licence, and 40% lived in a household without a car. 

During the 12-month pilot phase, participants reported a significant improvement in their quality of life. According to UCLA’s Lewis Centre for Regional Policy Studies, Mobility Wallet users were able to redirect funds usually spent on transport to cover everyday essentials and plan for the future. They caught up on bills, bought school supplies, attended more social and family events, and even started contributing to savings accounts—some for the first time. 

Most importantly, participants reported reduced financial stress and improved mental health. 

"They used their wallets to take part in more social activities, take children or families on outings, visit relatives, and connect with others for celebrations.… [W]ith the wallet, participants could now supplement their usual ways of travelling—public transport and walking—with ride-hailing to reach these places." — UCLA Lewis Centre for Regional Policy Studies

Flexibility meets freedom

One of the biggest achievements? Expanding access to flexible, on-demand rides. 

During Phase I, Mobility Wallet participants took more than 7,600 Uber journeys to connect to fixed public transport routes, get to appointments, and return home stress-free late at night after social occasions or night shifts at work. 

“[I had] the ability to just get up and go if that’s what I chose to do,” a participant shared. “I wasn’t limited in where I could go or what I could do.”

Building on the success of Phase I

Phase II began in autumn 2024 and expanded to 2,000 eligible participants across LA County. Each participant received up to $1,800 over 12 months to spend on shared transport, ensuring wider access to public transport throughout Los Angeles. As part of this programme, participants were also issued Uber vouchers.

Uber is proud to support Los Angeles on its path towards universal basic mobility. We’re looking forward to seeing the results of Phase II.