FAIRFAX TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM #16
MEETING DATE August 7, 2024
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Loren Umbertis, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT Receive Informational Report regarding Golden Gate Transit and Marin Transit Discontinuing Maintenance of Two Bus Shelters and Town Assuming Maintenance Responsibilities.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive the report.
BACKGROUND
In May of 2024, the Town received the attached notice from Marin Transit that two bus stops with shelters within the Town’s jurisdiction, originally installed and maintained by the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District (GGBHTD), were offered to Marin Transit for continued maintenance due to GGBHTD's reduction in service. Since then, staff has been working together with the agencies to develop a plan. Marin Transit evaluated the two locations: one on Sir Francis Drake at Oak Manor Drive (eastbound side) and the second on Sir Francis Drake at Broadway Avenue near the Public Library. Marin Transit has decided not to assume responsibility for maintaining these shelters due to low ridership and poor shelter conditions that they do not desire to assume responsibility for maintaining the shelters.
Additionally, Marin Transit’s policy is to not take responsibility for trash receptacles, citing most trash comes from local residents or pedestrians rather than bus passengers.
Typically, if Marin Transit does not accept the shelter maintenance responsibility, then GGBHTD would dismantle and remove the shelter and trash cans.
DISCUSSION
Staff finds that the shelters could still benefit residents despite their low use by bus passengers.
However, maintaining these shelters could incur ongoing costs, including rehabilitation, cleaning, and upkeep. The shelter near the public library is particularly in poor condition and could require up to $15,000 for full refurbishment. At this time, staff is planning to keep the stop as is due to budget constraints.
Ongoing maintenance, such as power washing and graffiti removal, may be needed as required.
The continued maintenance of trash receptacles could incur an annual cost increase with Marin Sanitary Service (MSS) for trash service. MSS has estimated the cost to be approximately $4,233 per bus stop annually assuming three pickups per week. Alternatively, the Town could remove the receptacles.
According to the Bus agencies, the trash that accumulates at bus stops is often from other sources rather than bus passengers.
Bus shelters are an important equity feature; therefore the Town Manager has agreed to assume the maintenance responsibility for these bus shelters.
2 FISCAL IMPACT
• Ongoing maintenance costs are variable but may require regular inspections and upkeep by staff. • If the Town does not accept maintenance responsibilities, GGBHTD will remove the shelters at no cost to the Town.
ATTACHMENTS
Letter from Marin Transit dated May 15, 2024
May 15, 2024
Town of Fairfax
Attn: Loren Umbertis – Public Works Director
142 Bolinas Road
Fairfax, CA 94930
Re: Amenity Removal; Bus Stop# 40518 – Eastbound Sir Francis Drake at Oak Manor; Bus Stop# 40524 - Eastbound Sir Francis Drake at Broadway Dear Town of Fairfax,
Per an interagency agreement between Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District (GGBHTD) and Marin Transit, GGBHTD must notify Marin Transit if they plan to permanently remove service and no longer maintain shared bus stops in Marin County. GGBHTD must also offer Marin Transit the opportunity to take responsibility for these assets.
GGBHTD has recently notified Marin Transit they do not plan to restore regional service and would like to divest their interests in several bus stops in your jurisdiction. In Fairfax, this includes all stops along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard where GGBHTD previously operated the Route 24 to San Francisco.
Most of these stops do not have amenities (shelters, benches and/or trash cans) and the only change may be removing the GGBHTD signage at the stop.
Marin Transit will continue to provide service at these stops.
GGBHTD has asked if Marin Transit wants to take ownership of amenities at many stops throughout the county, including those in Fairfax. For each stop, Marin Transit has evaluated the current amenities condition, ridership at the stop, and the amenities requirements for maintenance to determine if Marin Transit can take ownership.
Two stops, Sir Francis Drake at Oak Manor Drive (#40518) and Sir Francis Drake at Broadway Avenue (#40524), both currently have a shelter and trash can (Attachment A). Due to low ridership and the poor shelter conditions, Marin Transit’s proposal (Table 1) is to have GGBHTD remove the shelters and benches. Marin Transit’s policy is to not take responsibility for trash receptacles since most trash at bus stops is not from bus passengers and our District cannot adequately service them. Some jurisdictions provide trash removal services at bus stops through their municipal contracts. Please notify Marin Transit by June 15th, 2024, if your jurisdiction wants to retain the trash can at stops #40518 and/or #40524 and are able to provide trash service. If we don’t hear from you, we will also request that GGBHTD remove the trash can at stops #40518 and #40524 (Table 1).
711 Grand Ave, #110
San Rafael, CA 94901
ph: 415.226.0855
marintransit.org
Board of Directors
Brian Colbert
President
Town of San Anselmo
Eric Lucan
Vice President
Supervisor District 5
Mary Sackett
Second Vice President
Supervisor District 1
Katie Rice
Director
Supervisor District 2
Stephanie
Moulton-Peters
Director
Supervisor District 3
Dennis Rodoni
Director
Supervisor District 4
Maribeth Bushey
Director
City of San Rafael
Fred Casissa
Alternate
Town of Corte Madera
Table 1
We would be happy to provide more information or discuss any questions or concerns. Please contact Keith Green to discuss or set up a meeting 415-226-0870 – [email protected].
Sincerely,
Nancy Whelan
General Manager
Attachment A – Photos of Stop #40518 & 40524
CC: David Davenport – Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District Hitham Hamdon – Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District Stop# Location Jurisdiction
Current
Amenities Proposed Plan
40518 EB Sir Francis Drake & Oak Manor Fairfax Shelter, Bench, Trash Bin, Pole
Removal of Shelter,
Bench & Trash can
40524 EB Sir Francis Drake & Broadway Fairfax Shelter, Bench, Trash Bin, Pole
Removal of Shelter,
Bench & Trash can