Mayor Karen Bass envisions the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a 'no-car' event, borrowing buses nationwide and pushing remote work to keep the city moving during the games—for once, LA might actually beat traffic.

By expanding public transportation and borrowing thousands of buses from other U.S. cities, Mayor Bass hopes to alleviate the infamous LA traffic during the 2028 Olympics. Businesses are encouraged to embrace remote work for the 17-day period, while essential workers brace for a unique commute. Large venues may still provide parking, but the aim is clear: a cleaner, smoother Olympics experience, benefiting both the environment and the residents long after the torch is extinguished.

The idea of a 'no-car' Olympics seems like a bold move, especially for a city where car commercials often look more like tourism ads. "We want to make these games not only memorable for the athletes but also transformative for our city," Mayor Bass said in an announcement. The vision includes a metamorphosis of LA’s public transportation system, expanded by acquiring thousands of buses from other cities. As everyone knows, public transit in Los Angeles often leaves much to be desired, so it’s a Herculean effort - or perhaps, Olympic, to say the least.

"Trying to get around without a car in LA can feel like you’re in a decathlon you didn’t sign up for," said one local resident. To counteract this, businesses are encouraged to allow remote work during the games. This is not so much a suggestion as a strategy to reduce the number of cars on the streets and ensure essential workers who must commute can do so efficiently. For those lucky enough to have matching socks with 'work from home' policies, it's a win-win situation.

However, it's not all doom and gloom for car enthusiasts. Major venues, including SoFi Stadium and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, may still offer on-site parking. An encouraging thought if the expanded bus system and remote work recommendations turn out to be less effective in reducing congestion than anticipated. After all, whether it's a public transit utopia or a parking lot nightmare, planners seem prepared for both scenarios.

Mayor Bass and other officials recently visited Paris to observe the 2024 Summer Olympics first-hand and received the Olympic flag, a not-so- subtle reminder that the torch - and all which it symbolizes - would soon be in their hands. Los Angeles officials also leverage this trip to gain insights into event logistics and to establish fruitful partnerships with Parisian officials. The thought process here is clear: why reinvent the wheel when you can just borrow it?

But the 'no-car' plan is just one cog in a much larger Olympic endeavor. Mayor Bass is keen on ensuring that the preparations and investments for the 2028 games leave a lasting positive impact on residents. This includes stimulating local economies by supporting small businesses and creating job opportunities. She’s also focusing on environmental improvements and transportation enhancements that will outlast the seventeen days of athletic fervor. It's almost like she's planning a world-class event and a better future—because who says you can't have your Olympic cake and eat it too?

"It's no secret LA rides the struggle bus when it comes to public transit," Mayor Bass admitted with a hint of humor. "But if we can meet this challenge head-on, the benefits will stretch far beyond the 2028 Olympics." Angelenos can thus anticipate long-term advantages, such as improved public transportation facilities, echoing a promise of cleaner air and easier commutes.

To foster community engagement, Mayor Bass plans to create programs similar to what she observed in Paris. These initiatives aim to involve residents and local communities in the Olympic festivities, encouraging a connection that goes beyond simple spectator enthusiasm. Plus, who wouldn't want a local block party to celebrate the Olympic spirit?

Certain Olympic events will defy LA’s gravity even further, taking place outside Los Angeles County. For instance, equestrian competitions will be held in Temecula, while softball and canoe slalom will find homes in Oklahoma City. This geographical dispersion aims to distribute the Olympic spirit across a broader swath of the community, also perhaps giving Angelenos a well-needed reprieve from the inevitable congestion - if only a modest one.

Amidst all this planning, essential workers, including healthcare and city maintenance staff, will still need to commute to work during the Olympics. These workers will need comprehensive transportation strategies to ensure they can fulfill their crucial duties without undue stress or delay. After all, healthcare workers can't exactly remote-diagnose a broken leg, and someone has to keep the city's services running smoothly, even amidst the Olympic excitement.

And crucially, the 2028 Olympics organizing committee has formalized the chosen venues for various sports. Among the selections, SoFi Stadium will host the swimming competitions, while the Crypto.com Arena, known for its partnership with cutting-edge digital currency advocates, will see gymnasts flip, vault, and twist their way to possible Olympic glory.