LA Metro, Teamsters to create in-house transit ambassador department

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's board yesterday approved a collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Union to represent in-house transit ambassador personnel.

The board also approved 85 additional ambassador program positions to manage the in-house program and expand coverage. The moves are a reflection of overwhelming customer support for the ambassador program, LA Metro officials said in a press release.

"Metro Ambassadors are an essential part of the Metro public safety ecosystem, in concert with transit security, law enforcement, homeless outreach and crisis intervention teams," they said. "They help riders navigate the Metro system, provide them with assistance, connect them to resources, and report any issues that need to be addressed on the system."

Approved in October 2023, the ambassador program previously was run by two contractors. With the board approvals, LA Metro can now begin to build out the program in house.

The collective bargaining agreement will result in the addition of 388 contract positions. As part of the board's approval, LA Metro's fiscal-year 2026 budget was amended to include $11.8 million for wages and benefits for the new ambassadors.