City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT)

A good way to remember what LADOT does: LADOT works with asphalt, while other LA agencies handle everything else (which is part of the problem when it comes to getting climate solutions in the ground). LADOT also runs the DASH buses which are all electric and all free, Commuter Express bus service, BlueLA electric car-sharing service, Metro Bike with Metro, and a universal basic mobility pilot. This position has historically not had a lot of power. But with a new general manager, Laura Rubio-Cornejo, who was appointed by Mayor Karen Bass in 2023, that could change. Residents of LA can join city committees like the Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Bicycle Advisory Committee.

City of Los Angeles Department Public Works (Public Works)

While LADOT manages everything in the roadbed, everything else transportation-related is handled by this sprawling city department. The Bureau of Engineering (BOE) handles things like curbs and bridges, while the Bureau of Street Services (BSS or Streets LA) manages elements like street lighting and the bus shelter contract. This is why advocates are pushing for a capital investment plan (CIP) that would require interagency coordination to prioritize and fund improvements multiple years in advance. The five-member Board of Public Works is the only full-time board of commissioners in the city, meaning that they are appointed by the mayor but salaried positions.

Metrolink

Southern California’s regional rail system operates 7 lines traveling throughout LA County and to Ventura County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County. CEO Darren Kettle is chosen by the Board of Directors of the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, a joint powers authority made up of leaders from the five county transportation agencies Metrolink serves. Metrolink has been working hard to modernize its infrastructure but some routes, like the Surfliner corridor it shares along the Pacific Ocean keep crumbling and will need federal intervention from Amtrak. This will be key as California high-speed rail will be coming to LA (someday).

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)

The powerful state agency manages 50,000 miles of state routes, meaning freeways and some giant arterial roads like Pacific Coast Highway. It’s headed by Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin who was appointed by the Governor of California. There are 12 districts and all of LA County is Caltrans District 7, which has its own local leadership. Despite their climate promises, Caltrans keeps building freeways. In 2023, whistleblower Jeanie Ward-Waller said she was fired for telling Caltrans leadership their freeway expansion projects were misleading and illegal. The lever to pull here would be implementing statewide legislation that would force Caltrans to align its spending with the state’s climate goals, meaning a swift focus away from car-centric infrastructure.