April 5, 2022
Library and Community Services
DATE: April 5, 2022
TO: Mayor Butt and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Interim Director of Library and
Community Services
Denée Evans, Transportation Services Project Manager
Subject:
Richmond Electric Shuttle Service Contract Amendment
FINANCIAL IMPACT: In FY 2021-2022, the Richmond City Council approved the ECIA Transportation budget to fund services for
seniors and disabled persons residing in Richmond and
support shuttle services. The cash match will support
additional on-demand services for this population as
required under Title VII (11731013 400201 2A1JL).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
July 6, 2021
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City of Richmond in collaboration with Via
Transportation will launch an electric vehicle shuttle in April 2022 with grant funds supported by the Clean
Mobility Options Voucher Pilot Program.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: APPROVE a contract amendment with Nomad Transit, LLC (dba Via Transportation, Inc.) in the amount of
$338,231, for a not to exceed total of $1,338,231, as a cash match to support the grant funded Clean Mobility
Options Project Voucher Pilot Program – Library and
Community Services Department (LaShonda White/
Denée Evans 510-621-1718).
AGENDA
REPORT
April 5, 2022
DISCUSSION:
On July 6, 2021, City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a funding agreement between the City of Richmond and the State of California Air Resources Board (CARB) Clean Mobility Options Project Voucher Pilot Program (CMO) to appropriate the voucher program funds in the amount of $1,000,000 and approve a three-year service contract with Via Transportation to develop and operate the city’s first on demand local electric shuttle service. The CMO program funds provide awardees one year of planning and development of the program followed by two years of operations, and awardees are required to find funding for years 3 and 4 (see figure 1 below).
Addressing Increased Cost and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance During the planning and construction period, it was determined that additional funding was required. Vehicle lease costs have increased due to the following:
1) The limited supply of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the market, leading to higher acquisition costs; as well as increased driver pay and driver acquisition costs; and
2) Inflation since pricing was last estimated for this service in Fall 2020. Bike rack pricing includes the cost of bike racks, bike rack installation, hitches on the vans, and spare bike racks in case of damage.
Via Transportation is a ride share and technology company and as such is limited to operating passenger-sized vehicles by state mandate. The limited access to PHEVs directly impacted and delayed Via Transportation’s ability to acquire Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) to transport passengers with motorized wheelchairs. It is anticipated that more vehicles will be available in FY 2023-2024, but City staff did not want to delay this critical service another year.
Via Transportation has recommended subcontracting with a transit provider that will provide an appropriately equipped vehicle for ADA transport for a period not to exceed one year. This approach will allow Via Transportation and City staff time to further research zero emission WAV options to extend the existing fleet service levels (or to expand as needed) during the project operation period. Such subcontracting
April 5, 2022
arrangement will be in compliance with all CARB grant requirements, Section 20 of the Contract General Conditions, and all applicable City of Richmond municipal code requirements.
The following table outlines the vehicle lease and bike rack costs:
In conclusion, City staff requests that the City Council approve a contract amendment with Via Transportation in the amount of $338,231 for a total not to exceed $1,338,231 to operate a seamless, ADA compliant, and equitable shuttle service. The contract term remains the same with an ending date of July 7, 2024.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Original Executed Contract (Via Transportation, Inc.) Attachment 2 – Via Transportation - Contract Amendment 1