STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: March 15, 2022
To: Honorable Mayor & City Council
From: Daren Grilley, Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer Martha Eros, Transportation Planner
Subject: Request by Mayor Wunderlich for City Council Discussion of a Local City Shuttle System
Attachments: 1. January 26, 2022, Public Works Bureau Memorandum re:
Beverly Hills Senior Transit Service
2. February 18, 2020, City Council Staff Report: Microtransit
3. October 17, 2018, City Council and Traffic and Parking Commission Liaison Committee Memorandum: Trolley School Bus Service
INTRODUCTION
This report provides background on the City’s current transit programs and previous reports on other types of transit services and technology. This is followed by a discussion of the possible options and implementation steps for a shuttle system that would serve the general public.
DISCUSSION
The City currently has several special transit programs (outlined below); however, it does not currently operate a regular transit service for the general public. The adopted Complete Streets Plan1recommends that the City explore a shuttle system, which would connect the future Purple Line subway stations to the Beverly Hills business district. In addition, the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) Community Advisory Committee (CAC) has also identified a shuttle system as a way to help the City reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Current Transit Programs
The City of Beverly Hills currently offers multiple transportation programs, including dial- a-ride transport for resident seniors and disabled persons and provides the City-owned trolleys for special event charters and shuttle service between the Third Street tour bus 1 Beverly Hills Complete Streets Plan, Chapter 6 Taking Transit in Beverly Hills, pg. 54-57.
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Meeting Date: March 15, 2022
under a joint contract with the City of West Hollywood, with each program operating independently and restricted to residents of each respective city.
Previous Research
Staff has previously explored micro transit and autonomous technology options for general public transportation (Attachment 2), researched previous requests for school transportation service (Attachment 3), shuttles to transport seniors to City facilities and circulators to connect the business district to Citywide hotels. Creating a New Transit Service In anticipation of the opening of the Metro subway stations along Wilshire Boulevard, the current work plan for staff and the Traffic and Parking Commission (TPC) includes exploring shuttle service options for residents, employees and visitors between the future subway stations, major Metro bus stop connections and the business district.
Creating a new public transit service such as this requires research, public outreach and thoughtful planning to ensure that the service is successful in meeting the needs of the community. Fundamental first steps include: Gather stakeholder and public input Understand transit needs in the community Analyze existing transit services to identify gaps/unmet needs Identify the goals and objectives of new transit service The above considerations are used to inform the critical transit service planning considerations that follow: Type of system (fixed route, flex route, demand-response) Service area Route design
Stop location and spacing
Operating hours
Performance standards
o Service frequency
o Safety issues
o Stop amenities
ADA compliance, including paratransit Vehicle types and passenger capacity Vehicle fuel options
Operator (City forces or contract) Financial needs
Funding
o Available Federal, State, and County funding programs o Fares
o City General Fund
There are several consulting firms with expertise in performing the transit needs assessment and planning steps outlined above. With completed study findings and recommendations, the City could then choose whether or not to move forward with implementing a pilot project or full-scale shuttle system.
Meeting Date: March 15, 2022
Other Considerations
Alternative Fuels: Clean-fuel options will be considered for future transit vehicles as the CAC engages in identifying strategies for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to reach carbon reduction goals. Depending on the vehicle type, there are a number of different alternative fuel/powertrain options to be considered including, diesel-battery hybrid, battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, natural gas and biodiesel. Transit professionals serving on the Metro Local Transit Systems Subcommittee have shared mixed feedback regarding the performance of electric transit vehicles, including shuttles. City staff will continue to research the zero emission vehicle types.
Autonomous Vehicles: Limited types of autonomous shuttle vehicles are being tested in controlled environments on private business campuses, with most requiring a person in the vehicle or at a control center to monitor and adjust for unforeseen on-street conflicts.
Similar to electric vehicles, staff recommends waiting for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry to develop a reliable, tested autonomous vehicle that operates in real-time, realtraffic conditions.
Pilot Program: Consider a one to two year pilot program to test a transit model, evaluate ridership demand, operational challenges, pre- and post- GHG emission measurements, and fiscal sustainability prior to the opening of the Wilshire/La Cienega subway station. Route planning must take into consideration shuttle access challenges in and out of neighborhoods (i.e., street grades, narrow streets, return access onto Beverly Hills streets).
Advisory Oversight: City Council could assign an existing body, such as the Traffic and Parking Commission or a specialized committee, to advise City Council on the preparation of the needs assessment and transit planning study.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact with this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council provide direction to staff on how to proceed with a potential local City shuttle system and determine the appropriate advisory body to work on this issue.
Shana Epstein
Director of Public Works
Approved By
Attachment 1
MEMORANDUM
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
PUBLIC WORKS BUREAU
TO: Robert Welch, Utilities General Manager
Josette Descalzo, Environmental Compliance and Sustainability Programs Manager
FROM: Daren Grilley, City Engineer/Public Works Assistant Director Martha Eros, Transportation Planner
DATE: January 26, 2022
SUBJECT: Beverly Hills Senior Transit Service
RECOMMENDATION
This report provides a brief summary of the Beverly Hills senior dial-a-ride program as requested by the Climate Action Community Advisory Committee (CAC). This report is for information only.
BACKGROUND
The Beverly Hills senior transit programs provide residents 62 years of age and older and disabled residents of any age with free or subsidized transportation services. The existing senior programs include free dial-a-ride (DAR) transportation and subsidized Metro 30-day bus passes to residents. Both senior transit programs are funded with Proposition-A Local Return funds.
Dial-a-Ride (DAR)
The Beverly Hills DAR program offers free curb-to-curb, shared-ride transportation for medical, non-medical and recreational trips within the city limits, including civic centers, commercial and residential locations, and dedicated shuttles to Roxbury Park and area supermarkets. The DAR program operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and advance reservations may be scheduled weekdays by calling the Dispatch Center at (310) 275-2791 between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (www.beverlyhills.org/seniortransit).
In addition to operating within the city limits for medical and non-medical appointments, the Beverly Hills DAR transports residents to local medical centers for appointments: Cedars Sinai Medical Center, UCLA Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Cadillac, Century City Medical Plaza, and most medical offices adjacent to the City boundaries.
The Beverly Hills DAR fleet is housed offsite at the contractor’s facility and has transitioned from a gasoline fuel fleet to an alternative fuel fleet:
• Three 20-passenger shuttles, ADA compliant; provided by contractor, model year 2019, propane fuel
• Two four-passenger vans, ADA compliant; provided by contractor, model year 2019, propane fuel
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01/26/2022 Climate CAC_DAR
Metro Bus Pass Senior Discount Program
In addition to the DAR transit services, the City offers Beverly Hills seniors and disabled persons discounted 30-day Metro bus passes to supplement countywide transit needs that cannot be accommodated by the DAR system.
DISCUSSION
The current contract with MV Transportation (MVT) to operate, maintain and administer the senior transit program is in effect through November 2025. The transit contract includes language for the provision of “alternative fuel” vehicles to replace the 2009 transit fleet. Transportation Planning and Fleet Services staff collaborated with MVT to select vehicle types for the senior transit program.
Both CNG and propane fuel sources are significantly cleaner than gasoline or diesel, with electric and hydrogen platforms being the only zero emission vehicles. Electric shuttle vans are available but hydrogen vehicles (and fueling stations) are relatively scarce.
Transit colleagues serving on the Metro Local Transit Systems Subcommittee have shared mixed feedback regarding the performance of electric transit vehicles, including shuttles. Transportation staff will continue to research the zero emission vehicle types, but at this time City staff recommends waiting for the electric vehicle market to develop a reliable EV transit shuttle bus as staff plans for future shuttle service to connect to the two Metro Purple Line subway stations on Wilshire Boulevard.
The Transportation Planning team is currently exploring options for shuttle services to transport residents and employees to the future subway stations and major Metro bus stop connections. If a larger citywide transit system is contemplated, a Needs Assessment study would be required to evaluate current conditions, determine objectives and prioritize goals. A financial assessment and fund source is also needed prior to launching a new program.
In addition to determining the type of service, whether a fixed-route on designated streets or an on-demand service similar to micro-transit or dial-a-ride format, decisions on contracting the service(s) to a transit company or establishing a new city-operated service will drive implementation and operation plans for a new transit system in the City. Staff estimates a minimum two-year development and implementation process.
Attachment 2
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STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
To:
From:
Subject:
Attachments:
February 18, 2020
Honorable Mayor & City Council
Aaron Kunz, Deputy Director of Transportation
Martha Eros, Transportation Planner
Request by Mayor Mirisch for City Council Discussion of a Microtransit Program Similar to the City of West Sacramento
1. Via Programs Summary Table
INTRODUCTION
This report outlines a request by Mayor Mirisch to evaluate the City of West Sacramento's Via corner-to-corner on-demand microtransit program and the potential feasibility for a similar program in the City of Beverly Hills. Staff seeks City Council direction and comments.
DISCUSSION
A number of municipalities and transit authorities have implemented microtransit 1 programs to provide first last-mile transit trips, to reduce single occupant vehicle trips, and to increase transit ridership. Via offers local shared on-demand transportation utilizing the transportation network company (TNC) model, similar to the UberPoo/ and Lyft Shared.
City of West Sacramento Via On-Demand Rideshare Program In 2017, the City of West Sacramento launched efforts to develop a transit program to address a decline in fixed-route bus ridership in the City. The goals of the pilot program were to encourage alternative modes of transportation, provide connections to primary fixed routes, and improve mobility for residents in underserved neighborhoods. Following a formal request for proposal (RFP) process, the City of West Sacramento selected NoMad Transit LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Via Transportation, Inc. (Via), to operate a pilot microtransit program.
1 Microtransit: Information technology-enabled (l.e., mobile app, gps) private multi-passenger transportation services that serve passengers using dynamically generated routes, and may expect passengers to make their way to and from common pick-up or drop-off points. Vehicles can range from standard vehicles, large SUVs, vans to shuttle buses. Because they provide transit-like service but on a smaller, more flexible scale, these new services have been referred to as microtransit. (Source: Federal Transit Administration Definitions)
Meeting Date: February 18, 2020
The City of West Sacramento continues to fund and operate the West Sacramento DialA-Ride curb-to-curb service for senior residents that are 62 years of age and older.
In May 2018, the City of West Sacramento launched the Via On-Demand Rideshare (ODR) pilot program. Via deployed a fleet of seven six-passenger Mercedes Benz Metris vans (six standard vehicles and one wheelchair accessible vehicle) to provide shared rides for passengers traveling in the same direction within the City of West Sacramento boundaries. The ODR program is a corner-to-corner service wherein a passenger walks to a nearby corner (approximately 200-500 feet) from the ride request origin, and then is dropped off within a block or two of the requested destination.
Following the one-year pilot period in May 2019, the West Sacramento City Council extended its contract with Via to continue operation of the ODR program through June 30, 2020. The contract included an expansion of service hours and increase in the fleet size to eleven Metris vans (e.g., nine standard and two wheelchair accessible vehicles).
Program Cost
The annual budget for the first year of operations was $749,000, which included $61,000 for performance evaluation study conducted by UC Berkeley. The operating budget for the second year increased to $1,905,000 due to expanded operating hours.
The overall average ODR program cost per ride is approximately $9.57. The City of West Sacramento estimated fare revenue would cover approximately 20% of the ODR program for Fiscal Year 2019/2020.
The ODR pilot program was funded by a combination of Sacramento Area Council of Governments Transportation Demand Management Innovation Grant and State Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds for the first year. The contract extension through June 2020 is funded with TDA funds.
Vehicles and Drivers
The ODR vehicle fleet are subleased from a third-party vehicle leaser contracted by Via.
Via is a Transportation Network Company (TNC), similar to Uber and Lyft, where the vehicles are driven by independent contractors registered in the Via system. Drivers may register to drive the ODR program vehicles, and shifts are assigned on a first-come-firstserved basis. Initially, the TNC driver pool included drivers from many jurisdictions. With the contract extension, the City requested Via to recruit more local or resident drivers familiar with city streets.
How to Ride
Rides are booked using the Via smartphone app or by calling a customer service team over the phone. Wait times vary depending on nearby driver availability, but on average a Via van typically arrives in 10 to 15 minutes of the request. The ODR program is available to anyone 18 years or older. Youths aged 13 to 18 are permitted to set up an account and book rides with their parent or guardian's consent, and minors under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
Service Hours
Initially, the ODR program service ran from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays. The service was expanded to run from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
Meeting Date: February 18, 2020
Fares
Standard general public fares are $3.50 one-way within the City boundaries. The City of West Sacramento subsidizes 50% of the fare for qualifying senior and disabled riders, thus reducing the senior fare to $1. 75 each trip. The program offers a $15 weekly pass for the general public allowing passengers to ride up to 4 times a day, every day of the week (during normal operating hours).
Ridership
In February 2019, the City of West Sacramento released a summary of the ODR pilot program 6-month (May to December 2018) user survey findings
2. According to the survey,
"people under the age of 21 appear to be the most frequent users, followed by older adults (50+)" with high school students "regularly using the service to commute to school, work and social or recreational activities." The report concluded that "community members of all ages greatly enjoy using the On-Demand Rideshare service and are very satisfied with its addition to the City's transportation network."
According to an April 17, 2019 West Sacramento City Council agenda report, ODR program ridership "significantly exceeded expectations" with approximately 396 average daily riders. Peak demand occurred between 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., leading to the extension of the program service.
Similar Programs
City of Cupertino:
On June 18, 2019, the City of Cupertino City Council approved an 18-month on-demand shuttle pilot program with Via which launched on October 29, 2019. Via provided 1 O new Mercedes Metris vans that are equipped with a bike rack and are ADA accessible. The program base one-way fare is $3.50, and the reduced rate one-way fare for seniors, students and low-income residents is $1.75. The City offers ride passes that allow up to four rides per day; weekly passes cost $17 and monthly passes cost $60.
The City did not undergo a formal competitive bidding procedure, and entered into direct contract negotiations with Via as the "only known vendor providing a turn-key community shuttle solution, where transit vehicles, operations, on-demand technology, staffing, planning, fuel, and customer service are included and managed by one company." 3 The
City budgeted a not-to-exceed cost of $1. 75 million for the 18-month on-demand shuttle pilot program.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro):
In January 2019, Metro launched a one-year pilot microtransit program with Via for shared transit to and from Metro transit hubs in three areas of the county - North Hollywood, El Monte, and Artesia. Drivers register with Via and use their personal vehicles to pick up/drop off passengers at the transit centers. As of February 1, 2020, Metro is running an extended promotion where all rides in the program are free. Once the promotion is over, a base fare of $1.75 per trip will be charged to riders that input their TAP card number during account registration prior to requesting a ride. Riders that do not provide a TAP 2 West Sacramento's On-Demand Rideshare Pilot: A Summary of 6-Month User Survey Findings (2019, February).
Retrieved from: https://www.cityofwestsacramento.org/home/showdocument?id=8637 3 City of Cupertino June 18, 2019 City Council Staff Report. Retrieved from:
https://www.cupertino.org/home/showdocument?id=24577
Meeting Date: February 18, 2020
card number during account registration will be charged the base fare of $1. 75 plus a $2 fee. Customers registered with Metro's Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) program can ride for free.
Metro budgeted approximately $2.5 million for the pilot program. The program is funded in part by a $1.35 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration.
Existing Beverly Hills Transit Programs
The City of Beverly Hills currently offers two senior transit programs under a joint contract with the City of West Hollywood. Each program operates independently and are restricted to residents of each respective city. The Beverly Hills Senior Dial-A-Ride and Beverly Hills Senior On-Demand Transportation programs are funded using Proposition-A Local Return transportation funds. Beverly Hills receives Proposition-A Incentive funds as a result of combining services with West Hollywood.
Beverly Hills Senior and Disabled Dial-A-Ride Program:
The Beverly Hills Senior and Disabled Dial-A-Ride (BHDAR) program, which is currently operated by MV Public Transportation, Inc., provides Beverly Hills residents 62 years of age and older and disabled residents of any age (referred to as "participants") with free shared transportation services for medical and personal needs. The BHDAR program offers shared curb-to-curb transportation and group shuttle service to Roxbury Park and area supermarkets. In March 2020, staff plans to launch the Helping Hands Door-to-Door Shuttle pilot program which provides rides with an onboard attendant to assist participants that do not have a caregiver or require extra help.
The BHDAR program provided an average of 800 monthly participant trips during Fiscal Year 2019. The cost per passenger for the BHDAR program is approximately $29. MV Transportation launched a custom mobile application that allows participants to schedule a ride via mobile app and receive ride updates/notifications.
Beverly Hills On-Demand Transportation Program:
The City launched the Beverly Hills Senior and Disabled On-Demand Transportation (BHODT) Program on January 1, 2019 to complement the City's BHDAR program. The BHODT program is operated by Ambiance Transportation, LLC., and provides subsidized trips to senior and disabled residents on short notice, during weekend and evening hours, or to destinations outside the Beverly Hills city limits (within 10 miles of the City boundaries). Qualifying residents may receive $24 worth of fare media at a cost of $6.
Residents undergoing dialysis, chemotherapy or radiation treatment, and those with AIDS or Alzheimer's disease may receive two additional subsidy increments per month (i.e., $48 or $72 worth of fare media for $12 or $18, respectively).
As of November 30, 2019, approximately 2,434 BHODT trips were completed (221 average monthly trips), the majority of which were fulfilled by Lyft service. On average, approximately 12% of the trips were requested via online/mobile app; the rest were requested via the Ambiance call center. The program has approximately 113 active members. The cost per passenger for the BHODT program is approximately $22.
Meeting Date: February 18, 2020
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact at this time. However, there is a potential fiscal impact depending on the direction given by City Council to reduce or expand existing programs, or add new programs.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff seeks City Council direction and comments.
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Approved By
Via Rideshare Programs in Various Jurisdictions Summary Table West Sacramento Los Angeles County Metro Cupertino
Program One-year pilot launched in May One-year pilot; launched January 18-month pilot program; launches October 2018; extended contract with Via 2019 29,2019
through June 30, 2020.
Vehicles 7 Mercedes Metris vans during pilot Via drivers' personal vehicles 10 Mercedes Metris vans program; added 4 vans to fleet
Hours of Monday-Friday: 6am-llpm Monday-Friday: 6am-8pm Monday-Friday: 6am-8pm Operation Saturday: 9am-llpm Saturday: 9am-5pm
Sunday: 8am-8pm
Service Corner to corner within West Corner to corner within North Corner to corner within Cupertino Sacramento Hollywood, El Monte and Artesia;
to/from Metro stations only
Riders • General public • General public • General public • 13-17 years of age may ride with • 14-18 years of age may ride • 14-18 years of age may ride with parental/guardian consent. with parental consent parental consent • Minors under 13 must be • Minors under 13 must be • Minors under 13 must be accompanied accompanied by an adult accompanied by an adult by an adult Fares Standard: $3.50 one-way • Free ride promotion offered Standard: $3.50 one-way Senior/disabled: $1.75 one-way currently Senior/student/low-income: $1.75 one-way • After promotion, $1.75 oneWeekly passes (4 rides per day): way with TAP card registration Ride passes (4 rides per day):
• Standard: $15 • Extra $2 fee without TAP card • Weekly: $17 • Senior/disabled: $7.50 • Free for customers registered • Monthly: $60 in Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) program
Program Cost • $749,000 first year budget • $2.5 million budgeted for pilot • $1.75 million budgeted for pilot (included $61,000 UC Berkeley program program
performance evaluation study) • Funded in part by $1.35 million • $1,905,000 budgeted for second grant from Federal Transit year of operations Administration
Attachment 3
TO:
FROM: DATE:
SUBJECT:
MEMORANDUM
CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS
City Council and Traffic and Parking Commission Liaison Committee Aaron Kunz, Deputy Director of Transportation
Martha Eros, Transportation Planner
October 17, 2018
Trolley School Bus Service
This report provides a preliminary evaluation of using the Beverly Hills trolley vehicles for school transport services. Staff seeks City Council and Traffic and Parking Commission Liaison Committee (Liaison Committee) comments and direction. Background In 2017/2018, the Beverly Hills School District reached out to City officials for options on utilizing the Beverly Hills transit fleet for school bus service to the high school. Vice-Mayor Mirisch suggested optimizing the use of the existing trolley(s) to transport students to Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) via a fixed route along Charleville Boulevard and/or Gregory Way.
Subsequently, Transportation Planning staff researched alternatives for utilizing the City's trolleys for school bus service during morning and afternoon peak hours, based on school start/end times. Based on peak hour traffic, approximately one or two round trips can be accommodated between BHHS and South Le Doux Road (or the west side of the City), depending on the number of vehicles placed into service. Operating both trolleys may not be practical since there is no contingency vehicle to provide back-up for maintenance or repairs when a vehicle is damaged.
The City's transit fleet includes five paratransit shuttles earmarked for senior dial-a-ride appointments and two trolley vehicles. The trolleys are currently providing circulation service between the Third Street Tour Bus Zone and Two Rodeo in the business triangle.
Trolleys are not considered paratransit vehicles and cannot be used for school transit service unless it is a fixed route with designated stops open to the general public. The trolleys would require a School Public Activity Bus (SPAB) license, a Class A or Class B license for transporting students, and California Highway Patrol (CHP) inspections comparable to a traditional school bus. A minimum of 6-hours of revenue service is estimated for morning (6am to 9am) and afternoon (2pm to 5pm) service, with approximately 5-hours of "dead" time between service hours. Potential challenges included delayed traffic during peak hours on Charleville Boulevard and/or Gregory Way due to required "bus stops" and unknown persons riding with students.
Successful school transit are typically incorporated into a general public circulator, such as a DASH shuttle that serves the general public throughout the day. This type of general public circulator typically has a very high cost per passenger and a strong transit base. Using the trolley for school service can typically provide a single trip before and after school, and each of those trips would require paying a three hour minimum for the driver, plus travel time to and from the MV Transportation vehicle/maintenance yard.
10.17.18 CC!TPC Liaison: Trolley School Bus Service
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Operating Cost
Essentially, one trolley (total capacity 26 passengers) would be placed into service for approximately one round trip in the morning and one round trip in the afternoon. Based on a minimum of six hours of weekday morning and afternoon service during the August to May/June school year, following are cost estimates for a general public fixed route circulator on Charleville Boulevard and/or Gregory Way:
Service parameters:
• Monday-Friday, morning: • Monday-Friday, afternoon: • Deadhead/stand down:
6 a.m. to 9 a.m. (3 hours)
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (3 hours)
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (5 hours)
Projected number of school days (August to May/June): 210 Less 3 weeks for holidays/vacation schedule: (15) Net number of school days: 195
6 revenue hours x number of days (6 x 195): 1, 170
FY 18/19 trolley rate (hourly): $ 53.70 Estimated cost per trolley: $ 62,829 (2 trolleys: $125,658) Administration cost: $ 27, 100 Total Operations: $ 89,929 (2 trolleys: $152,758) Training and certification per drivers: $ 4,398
• $1,466 per driver $ 94,327 (2 trolleys: $157, 156) • Minimum 3 drivers Conclusion
Staff seeks City Council & Traffic & Parking Commission Liaison Committee comments and direction.
City Council Liaison I Traffic & Parking Commission Committee Special Meeting Highlights - October 17, 2018
3) TROLLEY SCHOOL BUS SERVICE