Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Podcast

SGV Connect #6 – Early Return on the El Monte Bus Station’s New Parking Fees

This week, Damien talks with Frank Ching, Metro's Senior Director of Parking Management. Ching reviews early feedback on and impacts of the new paid parking program at the El Monte Bus Station. Earlier this week, Metro began charging $2 for car parking at El Monte, as well as requiring driver TAP card validation to make sure folks who park there are actually riding Metro.

So far, feedback shows that the program is working. Metro no longer needs El Monte's overflow parking lot, while, at least anecdotally, there has been little change to ridership. El Monte's experience mirrors what has happened when free parking was converted to paid parking at other high-demand Metro lots.

In today's podcast Ching discusses the Park-and-Ride program in El Monte and at Metro rail stations across the county. He also explains some of what is in store for the future of Metro's Park-and-Ride lots and reveals some near-term tweaks that could be coming to the El Monte Bus Station parking lot.

SGV Connect is supported by Foothill Transit, offering car-free travel throughout the San Gabriel Valley with connections to the new Gold Line Stations across the Foothills and Commuter Express lines traveling into the heart of downtown L.A. To plan your trip, visit Foothill Transit. “Foothill Transit. Going Good Places.”

(While Foothill Transit is mentioned in this podcast, they were not involved in the content for the podcast in any way.)

Catch past episodes of SGV Connect and #DamienTalks on LibSyn, iTunes, Google Play, or Overcast.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Enviro Groups Urge Gov to Reject Legislation Advancing Road Widening in Sonoma County Swamp

Given the strong support in the legislature, Caltrans, and the California Transportation Commission for the project it's unlikely the Governor will veto. But, that doesn't mean there aren't good reasons that he should.

September 18, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines

All the news from up and down the Golden State.

September 18, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: Live from MARS To Change the ‘Crash First, Fix Later’ Mentality

Welcome to MARS: Modern Analytics for Roadway Safety. Let's talk about it in a special edition of the podcast.

September 18, 2025

How Many Americans Live in Walkable Neighborhoods?

...and how does your community measure up?

September 17, 2025

Metro Planning Committee Approves $85M for Bike/Ped Project Grants

The Metro Board Planning and Programming Committee approved $85.5 million for 16 grants to cities for walk and bike projects. Most make first/last mile transit connections and serve Olympics mobility.

September 17, 2025

Commentary: It’s Time to Recall Recalls

Tuesday's recall of Supervisor Joel Engardio proves the city really needs to take another look at its provisions.

September 17, 2025
See all posts