CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 32 Section Name: {{section.name}} Account Number: 10-4661 File ID: {{item.tracking_number}} TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Public Works Department
MEETING DATE: June 16, 2025
SUBJECT:
Hillsdale Caltrain Commuter Shuttle – Agreement
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve a two-year agreement with Commute.org (Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance) for the Hillsdale Caltrain Commuter Shuttle in the amount of $169,028; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented.
BACKGROUND:
The City has historically collaborated with Commute.org to provide commuter shuttle bus services to key business parks and destinations within the city through biennial agreements. These commuter shuttle services are provided through a third-party vendor from the San Mateo County Transit District and managed by Commute.org. The City’s partnership with Commute.org is highly advantageous, with Commute.org managing shuttle logistics and contributing 75 percent of the funding, while the City is responsible for the remaining 25 percent. The most recent agreement, approved by the City Council on June 20, 2023, supports shuttle services on a split route (Hillsdale Commuter Caltrain (HCC) East and West), connecting the City’s Caltrain stations to high-ridership areas, including the San Mateo Medical Center, Alameda/20th, and office buildings near Concar/Amphlett. The agreement also updated the management and operational structure of the shuttle program and clarified mutual funding responsibilities between Commute.org and the City. The current agreement is set to expire on June 30, 2025.
Earlier this year, Commute.org submitted a grant application through the San Mateo County Transportation Authority’s (SMCTA) call for projects to secure funding for the continued operation of the City’s shuttle routes. In response to changes in the grant structure, the shuttle team proposed consolidating the existing routes into a single east route to enhance ridership without increasing operational demands. This redesigned route will connect high-ridership residential and commercial areas east of Highway 101 with the Hillsdale Caltrain station, while also creating opportunities for private funding of the commuter service. Key service streets include Norfolk Street, Fashion Island Boulevard, Mariners Island Boulevard, and Bridgepointe Parkway. Residential communities within the service area include Lakeshore, Harbortown, Edgewater Isle, and Mariners Isle. Notable commercial properties served include 1400 Gateway, 901 and 951 Mariners Island Boulevard, 999 Baker, and the Sony PlayStation complex. The route is structured to provide bi-directional service, facilitating morning commutes for employees to commercial locations and residents to the Hillsdale Caltrain station, with afternoon service transporting residents from the station along the route and employees back to the station. A map of the revised route is included in the attached agreement.
SMCTA approved the grant application for the HCC shuttle route, and this agreement formalizes the terms and conditions for operations. As in prior years, Commute.org will contribute 75 percent of the total cost and the City will be responsible for the remaining 25 percent of the cost. As the shuttle service is provided by a third-party vendor from the San Mateo County Transit District, and managed by Commute.org, the agreement also requires the shuttle vendor to indemnify
CITY OF SAN MATEO
participating agencies, including the City. Given the shuttle route changes, City staff will coordinate with Commute.org to provide community updates ahead of the July 1st service start. This agreement is for a two-year term, in accordance with the funding agreement between Commute.org and SMCTA.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The total two-year agreement cost for shuttle operations is $676,111. Commute.org’s maximum contribution is 75 percent of the total cost, or $507,083. The City is responsible for the remaining portion of the total cost, equating to approximately 25 percent, or $169,028, for the two-year term. There is sufficient funding in the Citywide Parking and Transportation budget for the City’s share of costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
Approval of this agreement is not a project subject to CEQA, because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that entering into an agreement with Commute.org to provide shuttle services will have a significant effect on the environment. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Agreement
STAFF CONTACT
Ella Phillips, Environmental Compliance Inspector
[email protected]
(650) 522-7343
Jay Yu, Engineering Manager
[email protected]
(650) 522-7323