Los Angeles
What Is the Future of L.A.’s Transit?
Phillip Washington

The Plaza on Olvera Street
El Pueblo De Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
El Pueblo De Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Parking information available here.
A Zócalo/Metro Event
Moderated by Conan Nolan, General Assignment Reporter, NBC4
What does Phillip Washington, the new CEO of the
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), think
is the future of transportation in his new home in L.A. County?
Washington comes to Los Angeles after six years heading Denver’s
Regional Transportation District in a period of rapid growth,
particularly for rail. In the midst of the recession, he secured $1
billion in federal grants and completed planned rail expansion on time
and under budget. Washington, who grew up on the south side of Chicago,
is also a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served for 24 years and
earned the highest non-commissioned officer rank an enlisted person can
achieve. In Los Angeles County, Washington will be presiding over major
projects that include five new rail lines, the widening of the 5
freeway, and massive bike lane expansion. What does Washington think
L.A.’s transit priorities should be, and what is his vision for the
region? How does he see Angelenos getting around five, 10, and 25 years
from now? Washington visits Zócalo to talk about how his experiences in
Denver and the military have prepared him to run Metro, where L.A. fits
into America’s larger transit landscape, and the politics of urban
transportation today.