Recent controversy over abandoned bus stops and poor facility management in the City of Los Angeles, which allegedly wasted taxpayer money, has been revealed to be a misunderstanding due to insufficient publicity. Following a Radio Seoul report on the 27th, a meeting with Steve Kang, LA City Planning Commissioner, provided new information about the management system for newly installed bus stops.
Tranzito-Vector: LA’s Smart Bus Stop Partner
The City of Los Angeles is working with Tranzito-Vector, a specialized joint venture, to implement the Los Angeles bus stop improvement program. This company plans to install 3,450 cutting-edge bus stop structures over the next five years, with several smart bus stops already installed in various areas, including near the Wilshire and Western intersection.
Innovative Design and Features
The new bus stops, inspired by California Modernism style, include the following features:
- Real-time bus arrival information
- Smart city lighting systems
- New waiting areas for 75% of bus users
- Solar power facilities installed at 1,304 waiting areas
- Shade provided at all waiting areas
- ArtReach program displaying works by local artists on digital displays
Rapid Maintenance System
Tranzito-Vector is a specialized management company operating separately from the City of LA, with a rapid maintenance system that addresses problems within 24 hours of service requests. However, due to recent wildfire situations, the city government lacked proper promotion of these new services, resulting in misunderstandings among citizens who didn’t know how to request service, leading to perceptions of inadequate maintenance.
How to Request Service
Currently, bus stop-related issues can be reported through the following methods:
- Email: Direct reporting to requests@tranzito-vector.com (fastest method, issues addressed within 24 hours)
- MY311 App: Currently somewhat complicated to use, but will soon be improved to be more user-friendly
Importance of Citizen Participation
The City of LA is working to create a more equitable and sustainable smart city, and active citizen participation is important. Citizens are encouraged to report any problems at bus stops immediately to help everyone enjoy a better public transportation environment.
This case demonstrates that even good services, if not properly promoted, may not be utilized by citizens and might instead receive negative evaluations. The City of LA plans to put more effort into promoting and sharing information about new services in the future.
