Thursday, June 29th, 2023

8:30 am - 9:30 am PST

Helms Design Center

Doors open at 7:45 for registration, breakfast and networking before the panel begins

Los Angeles County transit agencies are investing billions in new bus and rail infrastructure and services. Two new rail lines have opened on the Westside in the past ten years, with more to come. However, transit ridership is trending in the opposite direction. Ridership on the Los Angeles Metro system is down by approximately one third from pre-pandemic levels. Reasons include everything from work-from-home to increased crime and vagrancy, reduced service hours, and increased vehicle headways. And things could get even worse, as decreased farebox recovery and expiring pandemic emergency funds apply even more pressure to reduce levels of service. If Angelenos avoid the train and bus, opting for personal vehicles and Zoom, what does that mean for Los Angeles? Regionwide goals for reducing pollution and increasing transit-oriented development, walkability, and housing production are all at stake.

At WUF this month, LA Metro officials and transit advocates will survey the challenges facing Metro and other transit service providers. Join us for a panel discussion on ways to maintain transit service, attract riders, and make the most of the crucial infrastructure and civic amenity that the Los Angeles region needs. 

Panelists
Steve Fiechter, Sr., Director of Metro Services, People Assisting the Homeless (PATH)
Daniel Rodman, Deputy Director Transportation, Mayor Karen Bass’s Office 
Pamela Krebs, Executive Officer, Los Angeles Metro, Communications - Public Relations
Stephen Tu, Sr. Director for Operations, Los Angeles Metro 

Moderator
Eli Lipmen, Executive Director, Move LA

Registration Fees
$50 Members
$65 Non-Members
$10 Student Members & Retired Members
$15 Student Non-Members & Retired Non-Members

Pre-registration closes on Wednesday, June 28th, at 4:00 PM.  After Wednesday, June 28th, onsite registration will be available at the cost of an additional $10.  No refunds or credits will be provided after this day. 

Event Time
7:45 am - 9:30 am
7:45 am - Registration & Light Breakfast
8:30 am - Panel Discussion

Location
The Helms Design Center is located at the Helms Bakery campus at 8745 Washington Boulevard in Culver City.  Google map and directions

COVID UPDATE
Please note that while the use of a face mask will not be mandated, we highly encourage all of our attendees to wear a mask at all times while indoors.  

Transportation & Parking
The garage at 8711 Washington Blvd. will be open for the event. There is also ample street parking, or you can arrive via the Expo Light Rail line that is located one block to the west of Helms Bakery. Parking Map

Thanks to the generosity of our annual Sponsors, WUF has a small number of free tickets available to members of the community.  If you are not able to join as a member or purchase a ticket for this month's panel presentation, but would like to join us, please write us at info@westsideurbanforum to inquire if we have any remaining sponsor provided tickets. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS…

As a non-profit organization we are dependent upon donations in order to continue our monthly programming.  Please keep this in mind when registering for this event; we appreciate contributions of any amount.