During the Olympics, Los Angeles County leaders pursued shutting people out and will consider installing water taxis for the 2028 Olympics to transport fans between San Pedro and Long Beach, where multiple events will be held.

County Supervisor Janice Hahn filed a motion at the Metro Olympic and Paralympic Committee meeting on Wednesday to initiate a feasibility study to assess passenger needs, costs and possible routes. The motion was unanimously approved by committee members, and public comments were overwhelmingly supported, with some residents proposing to install water taxis faster to accommodate the upcoming Vincent Thomas Bridge’s months-long closure.

"If we seriously make the 2028 race a priority, then we must make people safe, accessible, reliable and fun, and we can't rely solely on our buses and trains," said Hahn, chairman of the committee. "(Water Taxis) will provide residents, workers and tourists with an affordable alternative to driving and parking in these game venues."

The bill was co-written by Mayor Karen Bass, Metro Board members Fernando Dutra and Jacquelin Dupont-Walker and Inglewood Mayor James Butts. The study will be sent back to the board within 90 days.

So far, San Pedro has not planned to host any competitions, but will serve as the "House of Croatia", a cultural center for Croatian athletes, leaders and tourists. The deal was reached last year between Los Angeles City Councilman Tim McOsker and Zlatko Mateša, chairman of the Croatian National Olympic Committee. Long Beach will host 11 games including beach volleyball, water polo and boating.

Los Angeles faces challenges in meeting its transportation targets for the 2028 Olympics, with the bass proposal being a "car-free" Olympics, which largely depends on the transport of thousands of buses to the venues in the area.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said the city has received rental commitments for about 650 buses. Officials aim to rent nearly 3,000 buses for about $2 billion. Metro had previously asked the federal government to provide $3.2 billion to the Olympics program to cover the funding. But these funds remain unfavorable as the Trump administration threatens funds from multiple departments.

Hahn had previously told The Times that Metro would continue planning under the assumption that the funds would be fulfilled.

Water taxis will provide an alternative to bus demand and serve as a way to alleviate congestion on the two bridges connecting San Pedro to Long Beach and the surrounding roads. Fans will be able to park in San Pedro or board the ferry from Metro's J Series.

Hahn said the precedent for ferry service was an operation that had once travelled between the fishing village of Pier Island and San Pedro. According to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, the ferry was located in one of the original ferries from 1941 to 1963.