City Council Agenda Report
November 28, 2023
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: James C. Parker, Executive Director of Regional Transportation Theresa Clark, Transit Administration Officer
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT ANNUAL SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024-2026
Background:
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) as the Transportation Planning Authority, is required by Federal and State statutes to prepare the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for all Los Angeles County municipal transit agencies on an annual basis. The Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) facilitates input from each of the 16 municipal transit agencies, including Norwalk Transit System (NTS), on its planning and financial activities for inclusion into the Metro TIP. The SRTP/TIP serves as a formal record of both Metro and other municipal agencies’ commitment to on-going safe, efficient, and quality transit services in keeping with components of the federal funding process.
It is the responsibility of Metro to review each municipal transit operator’s SRTP to ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and local reporting requirements is achieved as well as ensuring that data collection efforts and operating budgets are consistent with funding assumptions and regional planning policies.
The SRTP is NTS’s primary planning document and is updated annually according to guidelines issued by Metro. It describes the organizational structure in keeping with current and planned service changes over three years. Also, descriptions of the financial and capital improvements associated with major projects/programs are included as a reference for various internal and external stakeholders.
Major highlights and initiatives in the 2024-2026 SRTP include the following:
Fixed Route Service: The fixed-route service utilizes 34 buses which provide local circulation and inter-jurisdictional service connecting Norwalk and adjoining communities of Artesia,
City Council November 28, 2023
Annual Short Range Transit Plan for Fiscal Years 2024-
2026
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6 Bellflower, Cerritos, El Monte, La Mirada, La Habra, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier, and the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County; as well as, providing bus service as a link between the Metro Green Line Light Rail Station and the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Metrolink Commuter Rail Station. Configuration of the routes was to a large extent, determined through significant community involvement.
NTS has not assumed any fixed-route service changes since the last SRTP. Ridership and passenger fare revenue are slowly improving given the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and discontinuation of enforcing the collection of fares between March 23, 2020 thru February 20, 2022. Ridership has increased from 789,762 in Fiscal Year 2022 to 1,022,686 passengers annually in FY 2023.
NTS will resume conducting its planned Comprehensive Operational Analysis in early 2024 to review the performance of Routes 1 through 5 and 7 and identifying potential adjustments to improve on-time performance and productivity. Additionally, the feasibility of designing a pilot program to implement a new “microtransit” service as a supplement to both non-productive fixed route services and User-Side Subsidy Dial-A-Ride Service; including connecting Metrolink rail passengers via first and last mile service between their final destinations (i.e. large employer worksites in Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, Whittier, etc.) will be explored.
Dial-a-Ride Service: NTS’s current Dial-a-Ride service will also be assessed by NTS staff for opportunities to provide trips through NTS microtransit concepts that include a Smart App reservation and payment system. The NTS Dial-A-Ride service currently provides curb-to-curb Advanced Reservation service for trips taken within the City using lift-equipped accessible vehicles; and weekday User-side Subsidy Taxicab service to approved medical facilities in the cities of Bellflower, Downey, Lakewood, Santa Fe Springs, and Whittier for senior and disabled residents.
Fare Media Revenues and Structure: NTS does not plan to implement any fixed-route or Dial- A-Ride fare increases. The last fare increase was on November 17, 2013. Additionally, NTS has coordinated with Metro in the implementation of a Countywide Fareless System Initiative (FSI) that includes voluntary participation by Muni operators. The FSI Program is for students at participating K-12 schools and community colleges, focused on helping students ride transit without the worry of paying fares.
Students participating in the FSI Program are issued a GoPass. The GoPass Program is available to students at participating K-12 schools and community colleges, with a focus on helping students ride transit without the worry of paying fare. With a registered GoPass TAP card, students attending participating schools can ride NTS, Metro, and 11 other participating transit systems to and from school, and for trips after school and on weekends.
NTS continues to participate in a major regional effort to integrate the Transit Access Pass (TAP). Currently, TAP is accepted by 26 agencies, all Metro bus and rail lines, and municipal transit systems throughout Los Angeles (LA) County.
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2026
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6 Bus Fleet Electrification: NTS recently received an additional two Gillig Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) in early October 2023 with three more BEBs scheduled for delivery in Fall 2024. This will assist NTS with fulfilling the requirements of California Air Resources Board’s Innovative Clean Transit regulation, which necessitates completion of a Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Rollout Plan to achieve a full transition to ZEBs.
Capital Improvements: NTS recently released RFP No. 24-731 to acquire Professional Services for Project Management, Design, and Engineering Services, Construction Management and Inspection Services for Facility Tenant Improvements; Phase III at the Transportation/Public Services Facility. The purpose of this project is to implement tenant improvements to the facility with upgrades that will accommodate the present and future Transit Operations, Fleet Maintenance, and Transit Administration needs.
Additionally, NTS will be implementing its Bus Stop Equity Enhancement Project in early 2024, which will provide modernization of bus stops with equity priority amenities to enhance the safety, comfort, and accessibility at our bus stops for patrons served by NTS. This project will address drastic climate changes our region has experienced by providing equitable amenities such as enhanced shelters and solar panels to provide ample lighting for patron safety while waiting at stops and real-time information to provide patrons with accurate wait times.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Citizens Advised:
N/A
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
N/A
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council receive and file the Triennial Short Range Transit Plan, and authorize the Executive Director of Regional Transportation to submit the updated Short Range Transit Plan to Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Attachments:
Short Range Transit Plan FY 2024-2026
https://filedrop.norwalkca.gov/s/xyBCDaYWD36TsZN