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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Implementation of Beeline Service Changes Recommended in the Beeline Comprehensive Operational Analysis and Integration Study 1) Motion to approve recommended Beeline service changes and authorize an amendment to Contract 8002607 for the Operation and Maintenance of Fixed Route and Dial-A-Ride Transit Services with MV Transportation to increase the not-to-exceed contract amount by $2,786,259 for implementation of the short-term recommendations and 1-year pilot services.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for October 20, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Comprehensive Operational Analysis and Integration Study, known as the Beeline Buzz Plan, incorporated public input to evaluate Beeline services and recommend enhancements by assessing route alignments, running times, and service spans; finetuning service levels; and integrating Beeline services with other transit systems to ensure optimal allocation of City resources.
RECOMMENDATION
Pass a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Contract for the Operation and Maintenance of Fixed Route and Dial-A-Ride Transit Services with MV Transportation increasing the not-to-exceed contract amount by $2,786,259 for implementation of the short-term recommendations and 1-year pilot services. 2 10a
ANALYSIS
At the July 14, 2026, City Council meeting, staff presented a report on the Beeline Comprehensive Operational Analysis and Integration Study, the community outreach, and resulting recommendations for service improvements. The recommended service changes will optimize operating effectiveness and efficiency by modifying route alignment, running time, span of service, and fine-tune service levels to ensure the best allocation of City resources.
As noted at the July 14 meeting, ridership continues to recover from the low point during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since FY 2020, ridership increased by double digit percentages every year, culminating in over 1.2 million boardings in FY 2026. This represents full recovery from the pandemic and suggests continued growth in ridership.
After review of the recommended service changes for each route, Council provided direction on the service change recommendations with minor modifications (Exhibit 1).
The short-term service changes are slated for implementation in Summer 2027.
Service Change 1-Year Cost
Route 8 – Additional PM bus $63,893
Route 34 – Shift PM trip from Route 33 $0
Route 11 – Serve Civic Center $89,422
Route 12 – Add Midday Service $646,549
Routes 1-8 – Weekday Evening Pilot, Monday-Thursday $1,716,569 Routes 3 and 8 – Sunday Pilot $269,826
Automated Passenger Counters (APCs) Capital costs only
Reduced K-12 Student Fare Pilot ---
Total 1-Year Implementation Cost $2,786,259
The implementation of the service changes, which include a one-year pilot on certain routes, will require an amendment to the MV Transportation contract to provide additional operation and maintenance support. The service change will begin in Summer of 2027 (FY 2028) and the 1-year pilot will continue until Summer 2028 (FY 2029).
FY 2027-2028 $2,207,462
FY 2028-2029 (3 months) $578,797
Total Contract Increase $2,786,259
As part of the implementation process, staff will continue working with Metro to ensure integration with the upcoming NoHo to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The current proposed BRT schedule includes weekday peak and midday service frequency of 10 minutes, dropping to 15 minutes on the weekends and evenings, and 20 to 30 minutes in early and late night/owl service.
The BRT route will operate in dedicated bus lanes. The BRT route will partially interline, or share the same lane, with Beeline Bus Routes 1, 3/31, 4, and 6. Metro also offers local service via Lines 94, 180, 217, and 501 that will also operate in certain segments of the 3 10a
dedicated bus lanes. The table below illustrates how each Beeline route would interact with the BRT route.
Route Number Interline with BRT Frequency Shared Stops/ Transfers
1 Central Avenue 10 minutes Central/Lexington
3/31 Broadway 30-45 minutes Broadway/Brand
Broadway/Glendale
4 Broadway 10 minutes Broadway/Glendale
6 Broadway 15-30 minutes Broadway/Verdugo
It is important to note that Metro has not published the final operations plan for the BRT, and the proposed headways can change depending on testing, Metro’s financial position, and other unforeseen circumstances. Staff is continually in contact with Metro on both the construction and operational issues. The COA implementation horizon for the pilot will occur before the planned revenue service (or opening date) for the BRT. As such, staff will utilize the findings from the pilot to determine necessary service changes to fully integrate with the BRT project in FY 2028.
Lastly, bus lane enforcement will be a new challenge for Metro and Beeline service. The City may consider implementing a similar arrangement which exists between Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) and Metro for the enforcement of lanes in Downtown Los Angeles. In this case, LA City Council adopted an ordinance establishing the violation and setting the fine schedule. LADOT entered into a cooperative agreement/MOU with Metro to establish revenue sharing with 75% going to Metro and 25% going to the General Fund. To enforce no parking in or use of the lanes, Metro utilizes front facing cameras on the bus to capture violations. Beeline buses could be outfitted, as well, after determining cost and feasibility.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The Beeline Buzz 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- 4 10a
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 GCC students revealed requests for expanded healthcare access, improved reliability, and more information for seniors, along with continued praise for cleanliness and driver conduct.
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.
The City continues to engage with the public at community events, schools, and senior housing to provide information and receive feedback on its services.
The City will begin conducting broader outreach efforts closer to the service change implementation date to raise awareness of the new service improvements.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed Beeline service changes including short-term improvements and oneyear pilot will cost $2,786,259. However, since this program will not begin until FY 2028, no new appropriation is being requested at this time. If the program is authorized by Council, funding will be requested during annual budget process from the Transit Utility Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The activity under consideration is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080.25(b)(5)(A), which consists, among other things, of the protection, improvement, institution, or increase of bus service. Additionally, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment; thus, it is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).
The project is also categorically excluded under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) per 23 CFR 771.118(c), as it does not involve significant land acquisition or environmental disruption.
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
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Alternative 1: Do not approve the Motion to authorize the City Manager to execute an Amendment to the MV Transportation Contract to increase the contract amount by $2,786,259 and the short-term recommendations and 1-year pilot will not be implemented.
Alternative 2: The City Council may choose to authorize a portion of the proposed service changes.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Daniel Hernandez, Director of Public Works
Prepared by:
Pamela Tang, Assistant Transit Manager
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1: Recommended Beeline Service Changes from 7-14-26 Council Meeting