City Council Agenda Report
May 7, 2024
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: James C. Parker, Executive Director of Regional Transportation Theresa Clark, Transit Administration Officer
Derek Donnell, Manager of Transit Operations
SUBJECT: RESTORATION OF NORWALK TRANSIT SYSTEM FIXED-ROUTE SERVICE Background:
Norwalk Transit System (NTS) currently provides municipal fixed-route bus service on six routes within the southeast region of Los Angeles County including the cities of Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, El Monte, La Habra, La Mirada, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, Whittier, and unincorporated Los Angeles County.
On February 15, 2022, City Council approved NTS implementing temporary fixed-route service adjustments, due to the COVID-19 pandemic creating bus operator shortages within the transit industry as it related to the number of bus operators available to provide reliable fixed-route transit service. These temporary adjustments included the following:
•NTS Route 1 – Reduced the number of assigned buses from six to five which resulted in the reduction in frequency of service (headways) from buses arriving every 30 minutes to buses estimated arrival times of every 37 minutes.
•NTS Route 4 – Discontinued express bus service which provided supplementary support to the regular Route 4 buses for commuter rail passengers to travel non-stop between the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Metrolink Commuter Rail Station and the Metro C Line (formally Green Line) Light Rail Station.
•NTS Route 7 – Reduced the frequency of service (headways) from buses arriving every 45 – 50 minutes to buses estimated arrival times of every 60 minutes. Also, discontinued the shuttle service for passengers traveling between the El Monte Bus Station and Rio Hondo College.
City Council May 7, 2024
Restoration of Norwalk Transit System Fixed-Route Service Page No. 2 8 4
1 Proposed Restoration of Service:
These temporary changes were enacted to reduce the number of bus operators required to cover weekday fixed-route assignments and stabilize delivery of fixed-route service. NTS’ enhanced recruiting efforts and streamlined on-boarding process has filled most vacancies as it relates to Bus Operators. This will allow NTS to restore fixed-route services in response to patrons’ request for more frequent service as well as steadily post-COVID-19 ridership increases.
Therefore, NTS is proposing the following:
•NTS Route 4 – Restore express bus service for commuter rail passengers to travel non- stop between the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Metrolink Commuter Rail Station and the Metro C Line (formally Green Line) Light Rail Station.
•NTS Route 7 – Increase the frequency of service (headways) for buses for estimated arrival times of every 40 minutes. Also, restore the shuttle service for passengers traveling between the El Monte Bus Station and Rio Hondo College will not be necessary based on current demand for service.
This restoral of NTS fixed-route services is tentatively scheduled to take effect Sunday, June 23, 2024.
Restoration of NTS Route 1 increasing buses to six in order to increase frequency of service (headways) from buses to arrive every 30 minutes will be implemented at mid-year Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25.
Fiscal Impact:
The recommended fixed-route service adjustments estimated cost have been included in the proposed FY 2024/25 Transportation Department budget.
Citizens Advised:
Outreach efforts to stakeholders and NTS patrons will include the following activities:
•Notice of restoration of NTS fixed-route services will be published in the Norwalk Now and posted on the NTS webpage, along with social media platforms. •Airing of the restoration of NTS fixed-route services in English and Spanish on Norwalk’s cable television station.
•Notices in English and Spanish posted on all NTS fixed-route buses and bus stops. •Letters mailed to stakeholders, including local school districts, elected officials, etc.; and affected municipal transit agencies.
City Council May 7, 2024
Restoration of Norwalk Transit System Fixed-Route Service Page No. 3 8 4
1 Federal Transit Administration, Title VI Compliance, requires a public hearing and environmental justice equity analysis for all service changes that meet the definition of a Major Service Change. These changes did not meet the criteria for a Major Service Change, therefore, no public hearing or analysis was required.
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended action will further the City’s Strategic Plan Goal 1, Provide High Quality Customer Service to the Community Objective 1.1 Promote customer-focused culture that prizes assessable, consistent and predictable delivery of service.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council approve the proposed restoration of NTS fixed-route service for Route Nos. 4 and 7; effective Sunday, June 23, 2024 and Route No. 1 at mid-year.
Attachments:
N/A