This measure provides financial incentives or subsidies to reduce the cost of non- Single Occupancy Vehicles travel modes such as transit, micromobility services (e-bikes, e-scooters), and bike-sharing programs through the use of “mobility wallets,” or preloaded cards that allow access to transit and micromobility programs.
Providing monetary incentives to use alternative modes of transportation reduces vehicle trips and therefore VMT. One survey showed that monetary incentives led to a 10-20% vehicle trip reduction in high transit areas and 1-5% vehicle trip reduction in low transit areas.
Prioritize funding for low-income households and communities with low vehicle ownership rates. Ensure incentives support access to affordable and reliable multimodal options such as transit, biking, and walking. Monitor equity outcomes using disaggregated data on program usage by income and geography.
Developing a local program would require seed money as well as an ongoing revenue source, consider utilizing Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP), or Clean Mobility Options funds. Other funding sources include the Clean Mobility Options Voucher Pilot Program (California Air Resources Board), and the Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (California Air Resources Board).
LA Metro’s pilot provided monthly stipends ($150) to low-income residents for use on any transit, bikeshare, or ride hail mode. The program demonstrated measurable mode shift and improved mobility for zero-car households.
KART offers subsidized transit fares in Kings County, reducing mobility barriers in rural communities
