transportation

Cars and shuttle vehicles drive through the drop-off section of the Los Angeles International Airport. Two people can be seen grabbing their luggage as they exit a white shuttle nearby.

Commentary

Los Angeles travelers will finally get to ride Metro rail to LAX. Soon. Probably.

For Angelenos, the most terrifying words in the English language are "Hey, can you give me a ride to LAX?" After decades, the airport will soon connect to L.A. Metro. Probably.

By

Jim Newton

• April 17, 2025

A California Highway Patrol officer stops a motorist who was suspected of speeding along Interstate 405 freeway in Westminster on April 23, 2020. Photo by Chris Carlson, AP Photo

Justice

California drivers with disabilities may use blue envelopes for police stops

During police stops, drivers with disabilities would use blue envelopes to signal the officer to slow down and be patient with them.

By

Deborah Brennan

• April 16, 2025

Construction of the High-Speed Rail going over the San Joaquin River along Highway 99 in north Fresno on March 3, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

New plan to accelerate California high-speed rail construction deserves attention, support

The new chief executive for California's high-speed rail project has a plan to accelerate construction and attract private investment. It'll require a stronger commitment from the state Capitol.

By Ray LaHood • April 9, 2025

Commentary

If zero-emission cars cut gasoline sales and tax revenue, how will California replace them?

Given the expected decline in gas sales under California's zero-emission vehicle mandates, the politics for implementing a new revenue source will be as thorny as the gas tax has been for 102 years.

By

Dan Walters

• March 25, 2025

A busy shipping port with large, blue gantry cranes labeled 'YTI' towering over stacks of colorful shipping containers. The cranes are equipped with yellow lifting mechanisms used for moving cargo. The sky is clear blue with a few wispy clouds. Rows of containers in shades of red, pink, blue, and brown are stacked neatly along the port, some marked with shipping company names such as 'ONE' and 'CAI.'

Environment

‘Herculean effort’: These port communities have waited decades for clean air. Why a new plan may fall short

The ports of LA and Long Beach are the biggest sources of air pollution in the LA basin. Air quality officials have drafted new rules to help electrify the ports. But community groups representing 400,000 residents say they don't go far enough or fast enough to clean up their dirty air.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• March 20, 2025

A group of wrecked cars is seen sinking into the mud of a neighborhood street after a mudslide. A street sign is almost knocked down in the mud, and debris is all over the road. In the background, people in military uniforms are seen next to a white truck in front of a house in the neighborhood.

California Wildfires

‘Bandit’ tow companies target LA wildfire victims

As LA-area wildfires burned, some companies fraudulently towed vehicles to the Inland Empire and charged thousands of dollars for their return, consumers said.

By

Deborah Brennan

• March 5, 2025

Construction on the High-Speed Rail over a ramp above Highway 99 in south Fresno on March 3, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

Trump targets California’s troubled bullet train project. It may deserve a mercy killing

President Donald Trump denounced California's bullet train and said his administration would investigate how federal dollars have been spent. The remarks followed a critical inspector general report casting doubt on the project's timeline.

By

Dan Walters

• February 6, 2025

A plane with red and yellow stripes graphics on its tail is parked on the tarmac of an airport building. The scene is set against a backdrop of distant mountains and industrial buildings under clouds and blue sky.

Economy

Palm Springs airport gets OK for a multibillion-dollar upgrade

Regional airports like Palm Springs International Airlines are trying to expand international offerings after traffic declines during the pandemic.

By

Deborah Brennan

• February 5, 2025

Commentary

On-the-job training helps California intern see herself as a future transit CEO

Viviana Mendoza used to hope to be like her father, a bus attendant who cleans LA Metro buses. As an intern in the Metro CEO’s office, she now dreams of running the transit agency.

By

Denise Amos

• January 22, 2025

Flowers are placed along along the Pacific Coast Highway, after a crash that killed four college students and injured two others, in Malibu, on Oct. 19, 2023. Officials say police have arrested a 22-year-old driver on suspicion of manslaughter. Sheriff's officials say six pedestrians were struck along the Pacific Coast Highway, a few miles east of Pepperdine University. Photo by Richard Vogel, AP Photo

Commentary

Speeding alerts in California cars could prevent the type of accidents that shattered my family

A father whose children died in a car accident on a San Bernardino County highway is calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a bill requiring automakers to add speeding alerts to new cars by 2030.

By Colin Campbell • September 26, 2024

Transportation