U.S. LA Metro scrambles to find funding for massive bus fleet, heart of Olympics plans
The plan hinges on a 2-billion-U.S.-dollar ask of the Trump administration to lease 2,700 buses to join Metro's fleet of roughly 2,400, traveling on a network of designated lanes to get from venue to venue. But with roughly three years to go until opening day, the plan faces several challenges over funding and time.
The federal government has yet to respond to the city's request. And Metro's commitment to lease clean energy buses could pose supply problems and challenges around charging infrastructure. Operators would also need to be trained under state regulations and provided housing through the Games.
"Three years might seem like a lot of time to many of us, but in municipal time, three years is like the blink of an eye. That's our greatest challenge," said Daniel Rodman, a member of Los Angeles city's office of major events.
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