TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: 500 "Purple" Route Modifications and Adding the 700 Route MEETING DATE: May 28, 2024
RECOMMENDATION
The City Council will receive a presentation and, pursuant to the City Council's direction and feedback, thereafter, consider authorizing the proposed modifications to the 500 "Purple" route and adding the 700 Route or Provide alternate or additional directives to City Staff or other alternatives the City Council may deem appropriate.
BACKGROUND
The 500 "Purple" Route was enacted in October 2022 and is an extension of the Commerce in Motion Study. The City of Commerce Transit (CCT) staff closely monitors ridership trends in the system and the Southern California Region and investigate strategies to attract new customers and better serve our existing ridership base. For example, there was a 6.4 decline in boardings on the 500 Route. Based on CCT's bus stop analysis report, a primary reason for the decrease is that passengers are electing to walk over a few blocks and board transit 100 Route or 400 Route and transfer at the Commerce Shopping Center for faster service rather than waiting seventy-five (75) minutes for the following 500 Route.
ANALYSIS (PROPOSED ROUTE 500 CHANGES)
To better serve the community and provide faster service, City staff recommends modifying the 500 Route and adding a new 700 Route to improve neighborhood connectivity for Commerce residents by connecting all neighborhoods to essential connectivity points. This project includes restoring critical segments of the former Red, Blue, and Yellow routes. By enhancing the 500 Route and adding the new 700 Route, the City of Commerce can add more destinations and increase service frequency for residents.
The 500 Route connects vital destinations such as Commerce Shopping Center, Bristow Park, Teen Center, Bandini Park, City Hall / Senior Center, and Rosewood Park Elementary School. It also connects with MTA Routes 260, 62, 108, 258, and Montebello Route 50. As a complement, the 700 Route connects vital destinations such as the Commerce Shopping Center, Costco / Commerce Casino, City Hall / Senior Center, Rosewood Park Elementary School, Veterans Park / Veterans Library, Gage Senior Apartments, and TELACU Apartments.
It also connects MTA Routes 108, 258, 110, and Montebello Routes 30 and 50. This project will provide a direct bus route from the Bristow and Bandini Neighborhoods to City Hall and other essential destinations like the Teen Center. The project aims to revive key stops from the previously popular Red, Blue, and Yellow routes. Moreover, the transit buses servicing these routes will be 100% electric, contributing to a greener and cleaner environment.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
City staff will pro-actively conduct bilingual public outreach notifications (English and Spanish) to the residents regarding the proposed changes via an article in the Commerce Connect newsletter, via all the City's social media platforms, posted signs in the transit buses, mailers to Commerce residents, push notifications through the CC Transit App, and the City's website. New bus rider guides will be available on all transit buses and public counters, including City Hall, Libraries, Parks, and the Transportation Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
Position
Class
Hourly Rate
Fully Burden Hourly Rate
Annual Cost
Bus Operator II
F/T
$26.71
$31.25
$104,002.33
Based on the City's historical Formula Allocation Procedure (FAP) and projected 16% increase in revenue allocations for FY25, the proposed personnel recommendation is sustainable. Furthermore, City of Commerce Transit has $1,664,434 in emergency revenue reserves.
The reserve funds can absorb unforeseen operational costs as needed. As such, the recommendation for the additional F/T Transit Supervisor position can be absorbed into Transportation's annual operating budget and have no additional impact on the City's General Fund.
FY24 YEAR-TO-DATE OPERATIONS EXPENSE CHART
PROJECTED REVENUE FOR FY25 = $6,168,844 (16% INCREASE FROM FY24) EMBED Excel.Chart.8 \s
RELATIONSHIP TO 2016 STRATEGIC GOALS:
This agenda item relates to the 2016 strategic planning goal: "Review and update services and activities to increase efficiency." The proposed recommendations outlined in this report assist in meeting the community's transportation needs.
Prepared and Recommended by: Claude McFerguson, Dir. of Transportation Fiscally Reviewed: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager Approved as to Form by: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Respectfully Submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager Attachments: Resolution
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
Item No.