California public transit agencies are trying to lure back riders by improving safety.

LA Metro's decision to create its own public safety department is a major test.

Since the 1990s, Metro has contracted with the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, and Long Beach Police Department, to patrol its trains and buses.

Now, the agency says ending its law enforcement contracts will cut down on costs.

Through its own community public safety department, Metro will have more control over the areas officers enforce, and how often they patrol.

Although crime rates on Metro have increased in each of the past five years, several riders at Union Station told CalMatters that they're generally pleased with the current security, but there are times they feel vulnerable.

I think living in any major city, I think there's just still always going to be some sort of issue.

There's cops all around, but crimes still happen.

You know what I mean?

California Transit Association wrote in.. "The rise in visible crime is a direct reflection of the larger societal issues we have failed to address as a state."

At the Metro Public Safety Advisory Committee hearing last year, riders said they wanted more security officer visibility, mental health services, and homeless services.

Metro estimates that there are about 1,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night on its property.

From last October through May, Metro placed nearly 2,000 people in interim or permanent housing.

Debora Latimer, the clinician with Metro's community-based treatment team said that regardless of any public safety measures Metro takes, the focus should be on the systemic hurdles for unhoused individuals to receive housing or necessary treatment.

"Let's say you put in three more agencies to help with the homeless.

That sounds great, but we're all still hitting the same barriers.

The policy needs to change, not us."

For CalMatters, I'm Jenna Peterson.