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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Beeline Comprehensive Operational Analysis and Integration Study Final Report and Recommendations
1.Motion to note and file the Beeline Comprehensive Operational Analysis and Integration Study Final Report, and directing staff to prepare necessary actions and approvals for Council authorization to implement Transit service changes.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for June 30, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Comprehensive Operational Analysis and Integration Study, known as the Beeline Buzz Plan (Plan), incorporated public input to evaluate Beeline services and recommend enhancements by assessing route alignments, running times, and service spans; fine-tuning service levels; and integrating Beeline services with other transit systems to ensure optimal allocation of City resources.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council approve the motion to note and file the Plan final report and direct staff to prepare necessary actions and approvals for Council authorization to implement Transit service changes.
ANALYSIS
The last Beeline Comprehensive Operational Analysis was completed in 2019. City Council approved recommendations including increased frequency on two routes, the addition of a new route that connected Glendale Community College to Glendale Transportation Center, and evening pilot service recommendations. These changes were implemented on November 15, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and decline in ridership during that time period, the City did not move forward with the evening pilot service recommendations.
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On July 30, 2024, the City awarded a contract to Dan Boyle & Associates (DBA) for a Beeline Comprehensive Operational Analysis and Integration Study to develop and update transit delivery strategies in response to existing and future conditions. The pandemic, new technologies, changing demographics, and evolving travel preferences have continued to disrupt how people travel. The comprehensive operational analysis was designed to capture precise data such as rider and non-rider surveys, operational data, outreach comments, and analyze the entire network of fixed-route transit services, regardless of provider, within the Glendale Beeline service area, with the goal of ensuring service integration among all transit operators.
The Plan was launched in Fall 2024 and began to collect data to analyze Beeline’s performance. The Plan undertook a detailed data collection and analysis process along with extensive public outreach to provide the city with a comprehensive view of current fixed-route services and fact-based recommendations for service enhancements that promote internal and regional connectivity. The on-board survey and outreach efforts provide current input from current riders to serve as a foundation for strategies to improve service quality, customer experience, and passenger satisfaction.
Study Findings
Operationally, the Beeline recovered well from the pandemic with ridership generally back to 2018 levels, with the noted exception of Express Routes (Routes 11 and 12).
Route 8, introduced in 2020, is the third-highest ridership line and reflects the success of the previous service change. A key measure of productivity or effectiveness is passengers per revenue hour. For a local service like the Glendale Beeline, the target is 10 passengers per revenue service hour. Based on the analysis prepared by the consultant, all routes except for Routes 11 and 12 operate above 10 boardings per hour.
Working with Beeline personnel, the project team identified service options and developed recommendations for enhanced service, based on:
Ridership patterns revealed by the ridecheck;
Passenger preferences noted on the on-board survey;
Rider and non-rider needs and preferences gathered through the public outreach process;
Discussions with Beeline staff, including a daylong meeting with bus operators as they reported for and signed out of their shifts; and
Discussions with neighboring cities, transit agencies, and personnel at major ridership generators.
Concepts underlying the recommendations include a focus on the City of Glendale, the Beeline as a wise steward of resources, extended service hours, coordination with our regional partners, coordination with our municipal and business partners, and anticipation of future transit projects. Recommendations include short-term improvements (within the next year) and longer-term improvements (in 2 to 5 years). 10a3
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Recommended Service Changes
The project team identified near- and medium-term recommendations based on ridership patterns, passenger preferences noted in the onboard survey, preferences from public meetings and outreach events, Beeline staff, and discussions with neighboring transit agencies.
Near-Term Recommendations (Year One):
Add additional bus on Route 8 on weekday afternoons to improve on-time performance;
Adjust Route 11 to serve Glendale Civic Center;
Add midday service on Route 12;
Add additional afternoon trip on Route 34 at bell time; Friday and Saturday evening pilot would extend service span to 10:15 pm on Routes 1 through 8. If selected for implementation, staff will evaluate performance at the six and twelve month marks;
Add Sunday pilot service on Routes 8 and 31;
Explore funding opportunities for reduced K-12 student fares pilot program; and Implement Automatic Passenger Counters to ensure accurate counts of boardings and alighting.
Medium-Term Recommendations (Years Two to Five):
Expand evening pilot service to Mondays through Thursdays.
Cost Estimates for Plan Implementation
The Beeline is primarily funded through the Transit Utility Fund and various regional, state, and federal grants. The near-term recommendations total $1.5 million net operating costs (after assumed growth in fares). Total medium-term recommendations total $1.2 million net operating costs. In total, full implementation would require an additional $2.7 million net annual operating costs. Other capital and planning efforts could be funded through grants or existing efforts.
Near-Term Recommendations Estimated Costs
Recommendation Estimated
Fare Revenue
Operating
Cost Net Annual Cost
Route 8 – Additional PM bus $ 4,747 $ 186,847 $ 182,100 Route 34 – Shift PM trip from
Route 33 $ 0 $0 $ 0
Route 11 – Serve Civic
Center $ 273 $ 18,734 $ 18,461
Route 12 – Add midday
service $ 6,156 $ 353,481 $ 347,325
Routes 1-8 – Friday evening
pilot $ 8,561 $ 313,161 $ 304,600
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Route 1-8 (incl. 31) –
Saturday evening pilot $11,306 $ 427,468 $ 416,162
Routes 3 & 8 – Sunday pilot $ 9,403 $ 237,962 $ 228,559 Reduced Student Fares pilot
(Half-price) ($ 9,685) $ 0 $ 9,685
Automated Passenger
Counters Capital Cost Only
Near-Term Pilot Total $30,761 $1,537,653 $1,506,892
Medium-Term Recommendations Estimated Costs
Recommendation Net Annual Cost
Routes 1-8 – Weekday
Evening Pilot M-Th $33,422 $1,222,534 $1,189,112
Medium-Term Pilot Total $33,422 $1,222,534 $1,189,112
Next Steps
Pending City Council approval, staff will implement the no cost recommendations and will return with an implementation package which will include potential operations contract modification, updates to Beeline media, and evaluation matrix to assess pilot effectiveness.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The Plan used a range of public engagement strategies to gather feedback on its recommendations, including two key surveys and outreach events.
The Onboard Survey, conducted in English, Spanish, Korean, and Armenian in late 2024 and early 2025, collected feedback from 1,316 riders. Results showed most trips began and ended in Glendale, with riders primarily accessing the Beeline by walking or transferring. Riders’ top improvement requests were for more weekend and later evening service, and overall satisfaction was high, especially regarding cleanliness, safety, and operator courtesy.
The Community Survey, available in English, Spanish, Korean, and Armenian from July to October 2025, gathered 278 responses from both riders and non-riders at various locations and events. Riders prioritized later weekday and weekend service, while non- riders most frequently asked for better connectivity, faster routes, and more frequent service.
Additional outreach included four virtual focus groups in June 2025 with local partners, where participants highlighted the need for increased frequency, coverage, awareness, and coordination. Outreach in July 2025 also included conducting intercept surveys with riders along two of the busiest routes, the least productive route, and at bus stops of two major transfer points in the Beeline network. In early 2026, targeted meetings at senior housing and with Glendale Community College students revealed requests for expanded healthcare access, improved reliability, and more information for seniors, along with continued praise for cleanliness and driver conduct. 10a5
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The project team also hosted several public meetings, both virtual and in-person, where feedback centered on expanding coverage, improving reliability, and connecting to new destinations. The public comment period remained open through June 12, 2026, to collect further input.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Beeline Comprehensive Operational Analysis will cost $2,760,187 annually if fully implemented. This cost would be partially offset by an estimated $64,183 increase in fare revenue, resulting in a net annual cost of $2,696,004. The annual cost includes $1,537,653 for near-term updates and $1,222,534 for medium-term updates. Funding for these recommendations was not included in the FY 2026-27 proposed budget.
Should Council wish to proceed with the recommendations, funding for the service changes and capital costs is available from multiple transit local return program fund balances as well as discretionary grants. Staff will return to Council to request the appropriation.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
CEQA does not apply to projects where the lead agency determines "with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment." 14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15061(b)(3); Here, the action is to note a file a report and direct staff to return to the Council for approval implementing actions.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
1: Direct staff to implement changes to the Transit system not recommended by the Beeline Comprehensive Operational Analysis. Staff will evaluate feasibility of proposed changes and report back on budgetary and contractual impacts. This option would delay implementation of the COA and potentially impact ridership growth
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Daniel Hernandez, Director of Public Works
Prepared by:
Steven Mateer, Deputy Director of Public Works
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
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EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1: Final Glendale Beeline Buzz Plan 2026 Comprehensive Operational Analysis Report