Rincon Consultants, Inc.
2 5 0 E a s t 1 s t S t r e e t , S u i t e 1 4 0 0 Los Angeles, California 90012
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E n v i r o n m e n t a l S c i e n t i s t s P l a n n e r s E n g i n e e r s December 18, 2023
Project No: 22-13827
Scott Koehm
City of Anaheim
200 S. Anaheim Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92805
Via email: [email protected]
Subject: Chapman Court Shuttle Franchise Agreement Application 2045 S. State College Boulevard, Anaheim
Dear Addressee:
On behalf of Chapman University, included in this letter are the details for the operation and extension of the Chapman University shuttle in the City of Anaheim to service the new student housing project (Chapman Court) located on 2045 S. State College Boulevard. Rincon is acting as the agent for Chapman University on this project.
Chapman University Shuttle Background
Chapman University is an institution that was founded in 1861 and has been operating at its current Main Campus location in Old Towne Orange since 1954. Since its founding, Chapman University has extended higher educational access regionally and internationally and has grown into a highly regarded university that attracts high-achieving students from all over the United States and more than 60 nations around the world. In an effort to emphasize university goals for higher education by creating communities focused on learning, Chapman offers students the option to live in professionally- managed, University-owned housing facilities that provide on-site services to residents and aid in their personal and academic development. Chapman already operates Chapman Grand, an off-campus residence hall located at 915 E. Katella Avenue in Anaheim, and Panther Village, an off-campus residence hall located at 3101 W. Chapman Avenue in Orange that is connected to the Main Campus by a shuttle service operated by Chapman University. Currently, Transdev operates the shuttle on behalf of the University. Offering the shuttle service to students in residence at off-campus housing facilities reduces vehicle trips and congestion upon public streets, as well as the need for parking on the Chapman Main Campus.
Chapman Court is a 266-unit apartment building located at 2045 S. State College Boulevard in Anaheim, which will house Chapman University students. It is the intent of the University to extend the Campus Shuttle to the Chapman Court residences to provide students with safe, convenient, and efficient transportation to and from the Main Campus in Orange.
Chapman University Shuttle Description
Why Expand the Shuttle Route?
Extending the Chapman University Shuttle Service to the Chapman Court residences in Anaheim would provide students living in Chapman Court the same benefit of convenient transportation to and from the Chapman University
Chapman Court Shuttle
Main Campus as students currently residing in Chapman Grand and Panther Village, all while reducing overall vehicle trips made between the Main Campus and Chapman Court in Anaheim. Additionally, extension of shuttle service from Chapman Court in the Platinum Triangle to potential destinations such as CTR City Anaheim will enhance access to these areas and could help activate local restaurant, retail, and recreational opportunities in these districts.
When Will the Shuttle Operate?
Students will reside at Chapman Court between the months of August and May, during the academic calendar year. During these months and while school is in session, the shuttle will be available 16 hours a day, 5 days a week with a 30-minute headway; and 12 hours a day on Saturday and Sunday with an hour-headway. Chapman University operates shuttles simultaneously that service both the remote parking lots surrounding the campus in Orange, Panther Village, Chapman Grand, and Chapman Court.
Due to the number of shuttles operated by Chapman and the demand for the shuttle, it is not anticipated to be more than one shuttle at any shuttle stop at any given time. Shuttle drivers use two- way transportation radios to communicate with one another while in operation. Chapman University offers a mobile tracking app for students, faculty, and staff to use, free of charge. The app allows you to track the shuttle in real time, this lets you check in on a particular shuttle and see where it is along the route and the estimated arrival time to your shuttle stop. Additionally, this tracker is available to be viewed on a desktop.
Shuttle Fare
The shuttle will be free for Chapman students, faculty, staff and their guests.
Location of Shuttle Route and Stops
The Chapman University Shuttle will run between the Main Campus, Panther Village, Chapman Grand, and Chapman Court. Existing and proposed shuttle routes and locations are shown below on Exhibit 1, Planned Chapman University Shuttle Route Extension.
Chapman University
Chapman Court Shuttle
Exhibit 1: Planned Chapman University Shuttle Route Extension
Shuttle service originates at the Main Campus in Orange and heads to Chapman Grand (located at 915 E.
Katella Avenue in Anaheim) via public streets within the City of Orange. After leaving Chapman Grand, the shuttle would travel west on Katella Avenue, then south on Haster Street, then east on Gene Autry Way, and a right on State College Boulevard to use the State-College-Orangewood OCTA bus stop, where the shuttle stop is located. The shuttle stop is the OCTA bus stop along S. State College, in front of 2099 S. State College Boulevard.
From there, the shuttle would depart taking State College and turning left on Orangewood Avenue to proceed to Panther Village via Rampart and/or to Chapman Avenue to access the Main Campus in Orange on its existing shuttle route.
Traveling from the Chapman Main Campus to Chapman Court, the route would be Chapman Avenue to State College, make a left on Anaheim Way, a right on Stanford Court, left on Santa Cruz Street, right on Gene Autry Way, and a right on State College to access the shuttle stop at the OCTA bus stop along S.
State College, in front of 2099 S. State College Boulevard.
Compressed natural gas (CNG) shuttles currently servicing the Main Campus will be the shuttles used to service Chapman Court. Should these shuttles need service and/or repairs, a non-CNG shuttle may be used to provide service. Based on the proposed route, shuttles would arrive in approximately 20 -minute increments during peak service hours. The shuttle may also provide services from Chapman Court to CTR City Anaheim on nights, weekends, or during events when demand would justify the route. Construction
Chapman University
Chapman Court Shuttle
activities, special events in the area, etc. may require minor alterations to the route shown on the exhibit when necessary.
Physical Improvements of Proposed Shuttle Stop
There are no improvements required to implement the shuttle stop at the existing OCTA bus stop.
Chapman University may install signage to identify the shuttle stop.
Shuttle Specifications
There are two shuttle types within the fleet: a 25’ shuttle with a 20-passenger capacity, and a 27’ shuttle with 24 passenger capacity. Both shuttles have a gross vehicle weight of just under 15,000 pounds. They are both ADA compliant and can transport 2 wheelchair passengers. Shuttles have rear ADA access for accessible disembarkation. The type of shuttle used for service may be modified subject to the approval of the City’s Public Works Director.
Franchise Service Standards
Transdev, the operator of the shuttle, will hire experienced drivers to drive the shuttle. The primary function of the shuttle driver is to ensure the safety and safe passage of the faculty, staff, students, and their guests. Shuttle drivers are trained by Transdev, meet all the requirements of a class B Carrier, and undergo background checks.
Preventative and General Maintenance Standards
All shuttles will be purchased by Chapman University. Once delivered to Transdev, Transdev is responsible for the insurance, maintenance and upkeep of the shuttles in service. When any shuttle needs service, it is the responsibility of Transdev to oversee all necessary repairs. All painted surfaces of the shuttle shall be kept in clean and graffiti-free condition.
Chapman University is responsible for the washing and cleanliness of the shuttles. They are cleaned inside and out once a week by an on-site service. Transdev drivers are required to walk through the shuttles at the beginning and end of their shifts to clean up debris.
Personnel Standards
Chapman University has contracted Transdev to operate all shuttle buses to and from Main Campus to various locations in Orange, Chapman Grand and Chapman Court. All drivers shall maintain a current California license as required by the Department of Motor Vehicles for the operation of this shuttle.
Transdev conducts all required drug and alcohol testing at pre-employment, random testing throughout employment, and after an accident.
Operational Standards and Safety
The shuttles, when not in service, will be stored on Chapman University property within the City of Orange.
The driver will be responsible for bringing the shuttle from the parking area to Chapman Court at the beginning of the shift and returning the shuttle at the end of the shift.
Chapman University
Chapman Court Shuttle
Chapman University will ensure that each shuttle in service has a portable two-way radio to maintain operational communication and in the event of an emergency. These radios would have direct contact with Chapman University Public Safety as well as other Chapman University shuttle operators. Chapman University Public Safety will be available 24/7 should an immediate need arise. Transdev will perform an inspection of all radios prior to the start of the term year to ensure proper performance.
Monitoring Standards
Chapman University will perform periodic spot checks of the shuttles to ensure customer satisfaction, reporting any issues to the Parking and Transportation Services of Chapman University.
Maintenance records and accident reports will be kept by Transdev and will normally become property of Chapman University. These records will be periodically audited by Chapman University and maintained for length of the franchise award. Any records not protected by applicable employee confidentiality statutes could be submitted to the City, upon request.
Advertising/Messaging Program
The only information displayed on the exterior of the shuttle would be the University’s name, logo, and destination on an electronic reader board (see image below). Chapman University may elect to add a donor/program name on the shuttle. The messaging may be modified subject to the approval of the City’s Public Works Director.
Vehicle Age Standards
Buses shall be in service for a maximum of 12 years. After 12 years, the shuttles shall be placed out of service.
ADA Compliance
Shuttles operated by Transdev are compliant with all applicable Federal and State ADA regulations.
Shuttles allow for up to two disabled persons in a wheelchair to access the shuttle via a ramp from the rear and unobstructed from other students.
Chapman University
Chapman Court Shuttle
Compliant Resolution
All complaints can be formally made to Chapman University Enterprise Risk and Public Safety, Division of Parking and Transportation Services at any time. Chapman University Parking and Transportation Services may be reached at 714.997.6560 or via email at [email protected]. Complaints may also be submitted via the Passio Go! App or BusBuzz cell phone text message. Chapman University Parking and Transportation Services will work with Transdev operators to handle and resolve all complaints.
Evaluation
Evaluations shall be conducted through various spot checks conducted by Chapman University Parking and Transportation Services and/or Transdev Supervision. If increased complaints are observed by Chapman University Parking and Transportation Services, increased spot checks, ride-a-longs with University staff, and/or alternative methods may be introduced to increase service standards.
Justification of Request
Chapman University is seeking an amendment of the previous Franchise Agreement approved for shuttle use to and from Chapman Court under the terms of City Charter Article XIV and Chapter 1.02 Franchises of the Anaheim Municipal Code to:
a. Add on to the existing shuttle route and add a shuttle stop to the existing and approved franchise agreement that utilizes Anaheim public streets within the proposed service territory for the purpose of shuttling Chapman University students, faculty, staff and their guests between Chapman Court and other Chapman University properties within the City of Orange, per the route map included within this letter.
b. Reduce vehicle trips and increase connections made between Chapman University’s Main Campus in Orange and Chapman Court in Anaheim.
c. Provide students with a free, safe, and efficient alternative to using a personal vehicle to access the Main Campus.
d. Conform to the requirements of the Anaheim City Charter, Article XIC and Anaheim Municipal Code Chapter 1.02 to possess a valid franchise of transportation services.
Franchise Amendment
Chapman University is seeking to amend the existing non-exclusive franchise for the operation of the Chapman University Shuttle within the City of Anaheim to extend the shuttle route to Chapman Court.
Vehicles
The University currently has a fleet of fourteen shuttles in, two of which operate on alternative fuel (CNG). CNG shuttles will be the primary shuttles to service Chapman Court. Shuttles can accommodate 20-24 passengers, with the capability of transporting up to 2 disabled persons in wheelchairs, leaving accommodation for up to 16-20 passengers.
Chapman University
Chapman Court Shuttle
Service Territory
The existing territory is bound by Cerritos Avenue to the north, Chapman Avenue to the south, South Manchester to the west, the City limits to the east, and other areas designated by the City Manager.
If you have any questions regarding this project, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you.
Respectfully submitted,
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
John Moreland, AICP
Director of Community Planning