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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Bus Stop Improvement Program Update
1.Motion Directing Staff on Implementation of Bus Stop Improvements
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for September 17, 2024 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The recently completed Bus Stop Improvement Program (BSIP) report, attached as Exhibit 1, surveyed existing Beeline bus stops and Beeline riders to prioritize bus stop amenities. The deployment plan includes installing bus shelter, shade structures, benches, and real-time e-paper bus arrival information at Beeline bus stops. The intent of this item is to receive feedback and direction from the City Council on future bus shelter, shade structure and transit amenities.
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RECOMMENDATION
Pass a motion providing direction to procure and install the selected Tolar Bus Shelters model and return with a final cost to install up to 37 bus shelters, and to install real-time information displays at all existing and proposed City-owned bus shelters.
ANALYSIS
On September 21, 2021, City Council directed staff to survey Beeline bus stops to add shelter, shade, and other amenities at Beeline bus stops. The BSIP Request for Proposal, which issued on October 2022, included the following tasks: inventory existing Beeline bus stops, update the existing bus stop database, conduct a multilingual rider survey and host two focus groups, and compile a catalogue of commercially available bus stop amenities. Moore and Associates was the selected consultant.
Two hundred fifty-two (252) participants completed the survey with 71.6% in English,
19.1% in Spanish, and 9.3% in Armenian. Of the respondents, 75% used Beeline between three and seven days per week.
The survey participants were asked which bus stop improvements they would like to see introduced. The top six responses are below:
1. Improved availability of schedule and/or route information at bus stops
2. More shade
3. Real-time service information
4. More shelters
5. More benches
6. More signage (maps, wayfinding, no smoking)
With the feedback from Beeline riders, staff recommends that Beeline bus stops include real-time information displays, shade or shelter structures, where feasible, and benches.
The next steps include selecting a bus shelter and e-paper display and confirming the locations of the bus shelters. Also, a demonstration bus stop pole shade structure will be installed and evaluated for its effectiveness. Staff will return with the bus shelter, e-paper display, and bus stop pole (if approved) purchase report. Below are the recommended bus shelter, e-paper displays, and demonstration shade structure.
Recommendation for Shelters & E-Paper Displays
The City is a member of the California Association of Coordinated Transportation (CALACT) and uses its purchasing cooperative to purchase paratransit vans and bus shelters. The transit shelter competitive procurement provides bus shelters and bus stop amenities including real-time e-paper displays, security lighting, and benches.
Below is the recommended Tolar Sunset Flat Roof (Sunset) bus shelter. Flat roofs 3{{section.number}}b
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maximize shade compared to angled roof shelters. The Sunset shelter is available in three sizes: 9 feet, 13 feet, and 17 feet. The bus shelter package includes the bus shelter, security lighting, and a bench. The bus shelter and installation cost ranges from $15,000 to $18,000. The BSIP identified 37 bus stops that can accommodate a bus shelter. Exhibit 2 is the CALACT catalog, which includes the Sunset bus shelter, as well as other options the City Council may choose to consider for Glendale.
The CALACT procurement also includes Axentia 13” real-time bus information displays.
The displays include a 3-year Content Management System (CMS), SIM card, and five- year battery. The battery will allow the displays to operate at bus stops that do not have access to sunlight. The cost of each Axentia display is $7,000.
The estimated cost for installing the new bus shelters and the Axentia real-time display at existing and new bus shelters is approximately $1.68 million.
ESTIMATED COST
Currently
Installed Install Cost Total Cost
Bus Shelters* 116 37 $16,500** $610,500
Real-Time E-Paper* 0 153 $7,000 $1,071,000
$1,681,500
* From CALACT Transit Shelter Procurement
** Mid-range estimate
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The City received $1,500,000 in State of California Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) grant funding with a $500,000 local match to install shelter and shade structures. Only the local match portion has been appropriated, thus far. Additional funding will be requested when the bus stop shade structure is approved and a final cost is determined.
Demonstration Shade Structure
For the remaining bus stops that cannot accommodate a bus shelter due to space and ADA access requirements, staff recommends demonstrating a Tolar-designed bus stop with shade and solar security lighting. No bus shelter manufacturer offers a surface- mounted shade structure. Tolar designed the bus stop pole to allow for the real-time display and provide shade. One shade structure will be manufactured to determine if it meets our needs.
Additionally, Public Works Transit staff will work with our bus stop maintenance contractor and in-house field services on various repairs and maintenance enhancements to improve the general condition of existing bus stops and shelters assessed in the BSIP Report.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The BSIP project included a variety of public engagement activities including a survey of current Beeline riders. The survey was conducted onboard Beeline buses across four service days and was also available online. In-field surveying was conducted on January 18, January 19, January 20, and January 23. Survey fielding covered all Beeline routes as well as day-parts. The survey was available in English, Armenian, and Spanish.
Surveyors were also available to aid riders in completing the surveys.
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FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report at this time. The estimated cost for installing the new bus shelters and the Axentia real-time display at existing and new bus shelters is $1,681,500. Staff will return to Council to request funding when the bus stop shade structure is approved, and a final cost is determined.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The action being considered is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301(c) because it provides for the addition of transit improvements involving negligible or no expansion of an existing or former use. Alternatively, the action is not subject to CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15030(c)(2) because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: Provide further direction and refinement to the selection of bus stop amenities including bus shelters, bus stop shade structures, and real-time bus information displays.
Alternative 2: The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Daniel Hernandez, Interim Director of Public Works
Prepared by:
Martha D’Andrea, Transit Manager
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
1. City of Glendale, Beeline Bus Stop Improvement Program Final Report, May 2024 by Moore & Associates
2. CALACT MBTA Catalog 21-01