Wes Gerald

Major and Classification

History, Political Science

Faculty Mentors

  • Professor Genevieve Giuliano

Department

  • History & Political Science

McNair Project

“Moving Forward: Strategies for Improving Public Transit in Los Angeles”

Transportation in Los Angeles has often been regarded as automobile-focused to the exclusion of viable public transit alternatives such as busing. Strategies aimed at improving the bus system including use of multiple doors on buses, prepaid boarding, low floor buses, better management efficiency, and real-time coordination could be easily applied to L.A., and greatly improve its public transit system with minimal investment. This study reviews research on bus system reform with a selective focus on published literature that provides evidence of how strategies aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of bus transit succeeded in other large metropolitan cities. The paper will offer recommendations for policy makers and future researchers interested in improving mass transportation in Los Angeles.