Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In

Last Friday, the Alliance for Community Transit (ACT-LA) held an activation event at the Compton A (Blue) Line Station. ACT-LA has pushed for treating Metro stations as commons or sanctuaries, mainly through the increased presence of people - from vendors to ambassadors to musicians - as a solution to greater public safety, without increased presence of armed law enforcement. These recommendations are explored extensively in ACT-LA's 2021 report Metro as a Sanctuary: Reimagining Safety on Public Transit.

ACTLACompton2022September9
false

The activation event was meant to show what these solutions look like. The event was co-hosted by Metro, the city of Compton, and L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell. It included street vendors, transit ambassadors, wayfinding, an info kiosk, performances, bathrooms, bathroom attendants, and more.

Unlike most transit stops around the world, Metro keeps its rail and BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) stations nearly entirely free of vending and staffing. In theory, the agency is open to "improve station amenities," but, with very few exceptions, the agency works against vending and other activities by trying to keep its stations as sterile as possible.

It is encouraging that Metro and Compton City leadership - including CEO Stephanie Wiggins and boardmembers Holly Mitchell, Jacqueline Dupont-Walker, and Fernando Dutra - visited the ACT-LA activation event. These leaders come together for single-day station events, but it is much harder to imagine them changing Metro's longstanding treatment of stations as anything but commons.

Last week's station activation drew a crowd of more than a hundred people, though most of these were agency and non-profit staff
Last week's station activation drew a crowd of more than a hundred people, though a large portion of these were agency and nonprofit staff
false
The event included Metro's new Transit Ambassadors. The first class of 60 ambassadors are training this week, and will be out on Metro trains and buses by early October.
The event included Metro's new Transit Ambassadors. The first class of 60 ambassadors are training this week, and are expected to be out on Metro trains and buses by early October.
false
The ACT-LA activation included attended restrooms - unfortunately very rare at Metro stations
The ACT-LA activation included attended restrooms - unfortunately very rare at Metro stations
false
ACT-LA worked with Compton to repair planter irrigation and plant new shade trees
ACT-LA worked with Compton to repair planter irrigation and plant new shade trees
false
Activation event viewed from the passing Metro A Line
Activation event viewed from the passing Metro A Line
false

See some additional images at Streetsblog L.A. Twitter thread.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Governor Signs Major Changes to CEQA to Cheers from YIMBYs, Jeers from Environmental Groups

Newsom fast tracked changes to CEQA to fast track development and housing. But what do the changes to the law actually do?

July 1, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines

Gov Signs CEQA Bill to Increase Housing, Higher Fees on Parking and Tolls, Opposition to Road Widenings, ICE

July 1, 2025

Does Constant Driving Really Make Our Country Richer?

A new study reveals that constant driving is making America less productive and prosperous — and getting people on other modes could help right the ship.

June 30, 2025

Panel: Doing High-Speed Rail Right

At the APTA conference in San Francisco, representatives from France, Germany, and Japan revealed the secrets behind their high-speed rail success stories.

June 30, 2025

Eyes On the Street: Metro and L.A. City Restore Wilshire Blvd. at New Subway Stations

Construction is winding down on Metro's 3.9-mile $3.35 billion D Line subway extension section 1.

June 30, 2025

Monday’s Headlines

Telsa's Robocars Make Streets Less Safe, ICE messing up California, Heat Is Bad for Cars, Bus Lane Enforcement in Weho and More...

June 30, 2025
See all posts