The LA Metro governing board made a significant decision on April 24, unanimously approving a four-year extension of Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Wiggins’ contract, which includes a salary increase to nearly $511,000.
This unanimous 11-0 vote confirms Wiggins’ leadership as the agency prepares for major global sporting events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Metro Board Chair Janice Hahn emphasized the importance of Wiggins’ continued leadership during these critical events.
“It is important we keep Stephanie on board during those events,” Hahn remarked.
“We need to provide that continuous leadership as we deliver on the largest Olympic Games the world has ever seen — and we are trying to make it ‘transit first.'”
The board expressed confidence in Wiggins’ ability to fulfill the agency’s commitments, particularly in enhancing services by increasing the frequency of buses and extending train hours to accommodate the influx of athletes and spectators, all while alleviating freeway congestion.
Another crucial aspect of her role involves ensuring safety for passengers on public transport.
Wiggins has faced scrutiny due to last year’s incidents involving shootings, stabbings, and even a hijacked bus, which negatively impacted public perception and ridership.
However, supporters assert that she has made notable strides in addressing these safety concerns.
In the past few months, the Los Angeles County transit system has seen a reduction in crime, attributed to increased Transit Security officers, stricter fare enforcement, and other improvements like protective enclosures for bus drivers and enhanced cleaning crews.
Wiggins recently reported a ridership gain of a little over 2% as of March, marking 28 consecutive months of growth.
Support for Wiggins’ leadership transcends the agency itself, garnering backing from transit advocates and union representatives alike.
Alfonso Directo, advocacy manager for the Alliance for Community Transit (ACT-LA), acknowledged recent improvements under Wiggins’ guidance.
“We’ve seen an expansion of dedicated bus lanes, ridership increasing, the ambassadors program, safety strategies, and the building of affordable housing,” Directo noted.
John Ellis, the general chairperson for the SMART-TD GO875 union representing Metro bus operators, also voiced strong support for Wiggins.
In a written statement, he hailed her as
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