In a disturbing trend, many riders are referring to Los Angeles Metro buses as the city’s “biggest homeless shelter.” Videos circulating on social media show homeless individuals sleeping across multiple seats on buses, making it difficult for other passengers to find a place to sit. In this article we talk about Why Are Riders Calling Metro Buses ‘LA Biggest Homeless Shelter’.
Nighttime Struggles for Shelter
One rider, who chose to remain anonymous, explained the grim situation to FOX 11, “At night time, from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., the homeless have nowhere to go. So they all get on the buses and they ride the buses all night. And no, you cannot sit down.” He described scenes of people fighting to board the buses just to secure a seat and get off the streets.
Public Transit as a Refuge
The use of public transit as a warm, safe place to sleep is a harsh reality of LA’s homelessness crisis. With shelters at capacity, many have nowhere else to go, particularly in the early morning hours when temperatures drop.
Escalating Safety Concerns
The issue compounds Metro’s ongoing safety problems. In the last month alone, there have been at least seven violent incidents on Metro property across LA County, including stabbings, shootings, beatings, and robberies. A deadly stabbing, security guard attack, and fatal shooting were among the crimes.
Addressing the Homelessness Emergency
As the homelessness emergency worsens, Metro faces increasing pressure to address safety and humane treatment for those residing on buses and trains. Poverty assistance, improved security, and long-term housing solutions are desperately needed to resolve this complex societal challenge pervading public transportation. I sincerely hope you find this “Why Are Riders Calling Metro Buses ‘LA Biggest Homeless Shelter’? Find Out Details” article helpful.