LADOT Transit on-demand pilot program begins

March 11, 2019
The shared-ride service matches passengers traveling to, from and within Del Rey, Venice, Mar Vista and Palms in the Los Angeles area.

Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) Transit launched an on-demand transportation pilot program  March 11, which will be known as LAnow. The pilot program is a shared-ride service that matches passengers traveling to, from and within Del Rey, Venice, Mar Vista and Palms service areas. 

“Our focus remains giving our riders the best experience we can - sometimes that's reliable and steady service. Other times, it means flexibility,” said LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds. “LAnow enables transit on demand, when and where people need it most. I am proud that LADOT Transit is pioneering this service as it continues a legacy of providing innovation to those who live, work and visit Los Angeles.”  

LAnow will be available to riders five days a week, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. during the initial phase of the pilot program. Following an account set up, passengers will be able to hail a ride through the LAnow mobile application, on the ladottransit.com/LAnow or by phone. 

“Finally, neighbors on the Westside have an alternative to being stuck in gridlock,” said  Los Angeles City Councilmember Mike Bonin, who represents the 11th District. "LAnow will give people a convenient way to make short trips or get to and from the Expo Line." 

LADOT Transit explains that the LAnow pilot program has been created for and designed with local communities in mind, through extensive outreach and resident surveys.

“More than 3,000 residents in the service area participated in LADOT Transit’s outreach efforts and provided input that contributes to how the service will operate. That level of public engagement is how public services should be developed and implemented," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz, who represents the Fifth District. "It is for that reason that I am confident that our Palms and Westside Village neighborhoods will be happy to have this new, easy to use, affordable option to complete their first mile/last mile connections to the Expo light-rail line.”

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director

Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.

Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.  

She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.