local
LA uses World Cup to show off upgraded public transit and test plans to hold car-free Olympics
By Jaimie Ding, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 9, 2026
· 5 min read
When Matthew Smith took his five-year-old son to a World Cup game in the Los Angeles area earlier this month, they opted to take public transit instead of driving from their nearby coastal city.It was Smith's first time on the LA Metro in a decade, and the experience exceeded his expectations. “S...
Key takeaway That is the reaction Metro officials were hoping for as they used the 2026 FIFA World Cup's eight LA games to introduce — or reintroduce — people to the region's public transit system, often an afterthought in car-centric Los Angeles.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio residents watching the developments in Los Angeles may wonder what this means for their own city's public transit system. As Bexar County's largest city, San Antonio has its own set of transportation challenges, including a growing population and increasing traffic congestion. While San Antonio's public transit system is not as extensive as Los Angeles', it still provides a vital service to thousands of commuters every day. The success of Los Angeles' efforts to showcase its upgraded public transit during the World Cup could serve as a model for San Antonio's own transportation planners, particularly as they consider ways to improve the city's bus and rail systems. San Antonio's VIA Metropolitan Transit has been working to expand its services and improve efficiency, and the city's transportation officials may be taking note of the strategies employed by LA Metro to overcome safety concerns and increase ridership.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When Matthew Smith took his five-year-old son to a World Cup game in the Los Angeles area earlier this month, they opted to take public transit instead of driving from their nearby coastal city.It was Smith's first time on the LA Metro in a decade, and the experience exceeded his expectations. “S...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jaimie Ding, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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