Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia officially joined the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) board of directors on Jan. 27, according to his chief of staff, Mark Taylor, in an emailed statement.
“I will be focused on multi-modal transit, rail and green infrastructure, safety and ensuring small cities in the county receive their fair share,” Garcia said.
His membership on the board provides the City of Long Beach a seat at the table regarding decisions of rider safety, infrastructure and police patrolling on Metro rail routes, Taylor’s email stated.
The Gateway Cities Council of Governments nominated Garcia, and the City Selection Committee approved it. His participation will ensure that the interests of the cities and local communities surrounding Long Beach are represented, stated Taylor’s email, which also mentioned one of the mayor’s top priorities— along with bringing new revenues to the region— is improving safety and the reliability of the Blue Line.
The Board is composed of 13 elected and appointed officials from throughout the county, including all five Los Angeles County supervisors and the mayor of Los Angeles. Garcia was elected to serve a four-year term earlier this month, replacing Lakewood Vice Mayor Diane DuBois.
Source: City of LB
