LA Metro Pilot Highlights Household Savings from Driving Less

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) is expanding its One Car Challenge Pilot Program countywide, highlighting how reduced car use—and, over time, reduced automobile ownership—can lower household transportation costs. APTA’s 2026 Economic Impact of Public Transportation Investment report found that individuals who shift from driving to transit save an estimated $13,200 per year.

The countywide pilot offers Los Angeles County households up to $600 to keep at least one household vehicle parked for five weeks and try other ways of getting around, including public transit, walking, biking, bike share, and carpooling. The Phase 2 pilot will include up to 2,000 participating households, building on a 2023 Santa Monica pilot with 300 households.

According to LA Metro, the Santa Monica pilot showed a measurable shift away from solo driving. Participants were 2.6 times more likely to avoid driving an additional vehicle, and the agency reported a 16.16 percent increase in walking, biking, and public transit use.

The expanded pilot is intended to generate statistically significant data on reduction in vehicle miles traveled, which could inform future transportation demand management strategies, long-term transportation policy, regional traffic flow improvements, and emissions reductions.