Looking back at 2024, the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games were one of the most talked about events of the year – and for good reason. The world’s greatest athletes took the city by storm, setting records in swimming, weightlifting and track and field. However, as Paris prepared itself as the global stage for sport, one of its largest transformations was its investment in transportation infrastructure. Over 500 million euros went into Paris Métro extensions, station upgrades, roadway improvements and a robust shuttle network to accommodate the millions of attendees. Not only was this a generational transformation of its transit network, but Paris also cemented a new legacy of sustainable transportation that will long outlast the 2024 Games.

For STV’s transportation leaders/experts in California, the 2024 Games were more than just a spectacle—it was an opportunity to learn how cities can prepare for megaevents, whether its sports, festivals or other major activities. Los Angeles is set to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, over 40 years since the city last hosted the 1984 Games. As we look ahead, STV Transportation West President Liz Justison, Vice President and Engineering Chief Tyler Bonstead and Senior Vice President and California Area Manager Gene Kim sat down to reflect on their experience in Paris and discuss what Los Angeles can learn from Paris as it prepares for the 2028 Games.

Navigability and Ease of Travel

Tyler Bonstead: Getting around Paris was easier than I expected. From the moment I landed at the airport, the RER and Métro systems made navigating from the airport to the city seamless. The Ile-de-France Mobilités app was a lifesaver, offering real-time updates and clear route planning.

Liz Justison: The transit mobile app was pretty seamless but having to toggle between the Olympics app for the games schedules, tickets, venue locations, then to Google Maps to figure out where I was going and then to the Ile-de-France Mobilités app to see the train schedule was a bit clunky. An integrated app for the 2028 Games will make it much easier on folks. The wayfinding, though, was a standout feature. A simple pink line on the ground led you from train stations or bus stops directly to Olympic venues. If I was ever lost, or appeared lost a volunteer was quick to offer help. Locals were eager to help guide, and you could see the pride in showing off their city. It was a true testament to how collaboration and thoughtful design can enhance the user experience.

Gene Kim: We want the 2028 Games to not only be memorable for its sporting achievements but to also leave a lasting positive legacy on Los Angeles and its residents. I see that as readily achievable through how we help the millions of attendees get around. As a big Dodgers fan and transit advocate, I was thrilled to see how many people – over 80,000 according to LA Metro– took transit to the Championship Parade. It is possible. When Angelenos pull together, we can accomplish anything. And we’ve seen LA really investing in major extensions to the Purple Line, new BRT lines, or the improvements at LAX Airport with the new Metro station and Automated People Mover. These will help Angelenos move throughout the city more seamlessly– and with less traffic– for years to come.

A Car Free Experience

Liz Justison: Paris’s commitment to reducing congestion in its city center was remarkable. Normally, the streets are chaotic with cars, scooters and bikes competing for space. In Paris, you noticed a difference immediately upon arrival. It was quiet, the streets felt safer to navigate as a pedestrian and it was enjoyable to sit outside. Removing cars from key areas allowed people to appreciate the city in a new way. It reminded me of my visit to Ljubljana, Slovenia, which has removed cars from its city center entirely. For LA, a city so defined by car culture, this could be a transformative model that could last beyond the Games.

Gene Kim: I’ve been excited about LA hosting the Games again after seeing how much it changed our city for the better after the 1984 games. What’s exciting about the 2028 Games is the ambition for a transit-first Games. There is a desire to create a lasting legacy where transit becomes Angeleno’s first choice. Paris has shown us that thoughtful planning and tactical urbanism strategies can achieve it. The 2028 Games offer a chance for LA to reimagine our city and have convenient transit and active transportation options to get around town.

Tyler Bonstead:  One of the most impressive things about Paris was how seamlessly they integrated their bus shuttles with the train system. I used a shuttle bus at the Versailles venue, and it was flawless. The added bonus? The views of the Palace. This level of integration is essential for LA. We’ll need a similar approach to ensure people can move efficiently between venues, while also celebrating our neighborhoods, communities and landmarks along the way.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Tyler Bonstead: Accessibility was clearly a priority for Paris, though not every Metro station had an elevator, and they had a different approach without the Americans with Disabilities Act as a guide like we have in the United States. The new Saint-Denis Pleyel station, though, is a great example of how to reimagine a station with mobility and accessibility in mind. There were elevators, ramps, clear signage and lighting. These should be standard at any train station, but that’s not always reality. Saint-Denis Pleyel station also functioned like a hub, serving the Olympic Village. I used it several times to reach events at Stade de France (rugby) and the Aquatic Center (water polo). It’s not just functional; it’s beautiful.

Liz Justison: Sustainability also stood out. Paris used the Games as a catalyst to push forward eco-friendly initiatives. From electric buses to expanded bike lanes, they’ve set a high bar. Paris implemented new bike paths that connected all the Games venues. In Los Angeles, we do have a large bike culture, but e-scooters are quite popular and could be another option for getting to and from stations, stops and venues.

We want the 2028 Games to not only be memorable for its sporting achievements but to also leave a lasting positive legacy on Los Angeles and its residents.

Gene Kim

Lessons for Los Angeles

Tyler Bonstead: One key takeaway is that multimodal transit integration is key. Paris showed us how shuttles, trains, buses, walking and biking can work together seamlessly. For LA, this means focusing on connections between Metro lines and event venues, as well as ensuring last-mile solutions are efficient and reliable. Our goal needs to be to have as many people as possible not need to use a car each day. And if they do, we need to make that trip as short as possible.

Liz Justison: And don’t underestimate the power of good wayfinding. Something as simple as that color-coded line or clear signage can make a world of difference, especially for visitors unfamiliar with the city.

Gene Kim: Ultimately, the 2028 Games is an opportunity to change the narrative around transit in LA. By prioritizing public transportation and making it accessible, sustainable, user-friendly and an experience, we can create a transit-first Olympics that’s not only successful but also sets a new standard for urban mobility for LA. There are so many elements around Los Angeles now that reflect the 1984 Games, from the banners that hang on streetlights to the Coliseum. Now, we can make our legacy that LA has an integrated, seamless transit network. It’s a tall order, but taking the spirit of the Olympics, we can make the impossible possible.