LA Metro Doubles Down on Safety in $9.4 Billion Spending Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-26

Metro’s Board of Directors on Thursday approved a $9.4 billion spending plan for 2026 — which represents a 2% increase or $180.9 million more compared to the $9.26 billion in the current year — prioritizing more funding for public safety and boosting the frequency of transit services.

Despite financial headwinds and economic concerns, Metro directors adopted the budget in a unanimous vote, which they described as “balanced” and something that should not be taken for granted. One official noted that similar financial challenges have led other transit agencies across the country — including in San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia — to reduce services

“Metro is not immune to the same headwinds all of our peer agencies are facing,” Metro Director and Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval said Thursday, who is also the chair of the budget committee. “It’s time for us to have some honest, tough conversation about our future and priorities.”

Sandoval asked Metro staff to return next month with a framework outlining possible trade-offs and solutions to address the agency’s budget constraints. But he also emphasized that it’s important to celebrate the agency’s wins, and “this budget is one of them.”

In response to high profile violent crimes, the agency took steps to improve public safety. The budget will provide $392.5 million for public safety, an increase of 1.9% or about $7.3 million compared to $385.1 million in 2025 to support the agency’s ambassador program and 53 new security officers. Funds will be used to expand Metro’s taller fare gates pilot, Tap-to-Exit program, weapons detection technology systems and add more security cameras.

Metro has allocated $2.8 billion for transit operations, a $163.8 million or 6% increase compared to the fiscal year 2025. Of that money, $1.9 billion will support bus services and $968.1 million will fund rail, both of those categories are an increase of $114.2 million and $68.9 million, respectively. Meanwhile, Metro Micro will receive $23.1 million, a decrease of $19.2 million.

The agency has also increased money for more cleaning. Funds for cleaning will increase from $279.5 million in 2025 to $316.1 million in 2026, an increase of 13.1%, or $36.6 million. The allocation would support 34 new custodial staff, 84 new service attendants, and increase daily cleaning for four bus terminals seven-days per week. The agency will expand its end-of-line cleaning service to rail cars from two shifts to three each week, covering nine stations.

Some $9.9 million will support what is known as “station experience” initiatives, which focus on “safety, cleanliness, mini-makeovers and customer experience enhancements.” Some of these initiatives include ADA expansion, 50 new Throne restrooms by summer 2026, among other things.

In preparation for the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Los Angeles area, Metro will dedicate funding to key transit projects.

Under Metro’s Transit Infrastructure Development program, the A line Foothill Extension is set to receive $156 million for construction work on tracks, stations and systems. Another $22.9 million supports contract closeout and other costs for the soon-to-be-open LAX/Metro Transit Center, a station hub at Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street on the K Line. The budget is expected to set aside $267.7 million for the future East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project, $316 million for Southeast Gateway Line, and $794.5 million for the D (Purple) Line Westside Extension project, among other projects.

According to documents, local sales tax and certain revenues are projected at $4.8 billion, which represents a $387 million — or 7.4% decrease – – from the 2025 fiscal year. Current projections for sales tax revenues for 2025 are below budget, meaning 2026 revenues are likely to be lower.

Fare revenues are expected to come in at $174.7 million, a slight increase from $174.6 million in fiscal year 2025.

Tolls and violation fees from ExpressLanes are estimated at $107.6 million in 2026, and advertising revenue is estimated to increase from $27.2 million to $41.5 million. Grant revenues are expected to increase by 9.6% in 2026 compared to 2025.

According to metro officials, the agency received 6,400 responses and 4,300 written comments regarding the 2026 budget — more input from customers compared to last year. That feedback focused on three key areas: safety and security, service and cleaning.