COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Brett Fulgoni, Department Director of Public Works
DATE: June 3, 2025
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Recommended Consolidation of Guadalupe Transit Bus Service with Santa Maria Regional Transit
Description:
The City Council will consider approving the consolidation of Guadalupe Transit Bus Service with Santa Maria Regional Transit to create a more efficient and integrated regional transit network. This action would streamline operations, improve service delivery, and expand mobility options for residents of both cities. The proposed consolidation is supported by Guadalupe, the County of Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara Council of Governments.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the consolidation of Guadalupe transit bus service with Santa Maria Regional Transit.
BACKGROUND:
Recognizing the widespread impact of recent pandemic-related challenges on community members and the transit industry, parti cularly on smaller agencies such as Guadalupe's system, and acknowledging the potential for enhanced community connectivity and operational coordination, both City Councils approved exploring the consolidation of the Guadalupe Flyer with Santa Maria Region al Transit (SMRT). The goal is to establish an integrated and more efficient regional transportation network across northern Santa Barbara County.
DISCUSSION:
The idea of consolidating the Guadalupe Flyer with SMRT has been closely analyzed by staff and the respective transit operations contractors. It has been determined that, operationally, logistically, and financially, there are no major barriers preventing the success of this consolidation.
2 SMRT’s contractor (RATPDev) has verified that there a re sufficient drivers, staff, and vehicles needed to operate the Guadalupe routes. Financially, SMRT’s new service to Guadalupe would initially be funded by allocations of supplemental State transit funding (e.g., LCTOP), potentially for up to three years. These funds already prioritize use in Guadalupe, a recognized Disadvantaged Community. Additionally, Guadalupe and the County of Santa Barbara would continue to transfer dedicated transit funding (e.g., CA TDA), to SMRT. SMRT would also pursue additional grant opportunities not previously leverage prior to consolidation (e.g., Federal 5311 and 5310 funding), helping to fund the service while boosting SMRT’s federal funding (e.g., STIC). See Attachment A - Cooperative Agreement for more details.
Upon con solidation, Guadalupe’s transit route operational costs, revenue planning, service planning, and regulatory compliance would be incorporated into SMRT’s processes. The addition of two routes for Guadalupe residents to SMRT’s broader and quickly expanding transit network constitutes a manageable increase to the City of Santa Maria’s Transit Division work program. However, recommendations for growth in the Transit Division’s staff, budget, and fleet size will likely follow in subsequent budget cycles to accommodate service expansion.
Ultimately, the consolidation streamlines funding management for northern Santa Barbara County transit services, centralizes and unifies transit operations, accelerates the deployment of rider -centric technologies region -wide, and improves transit key performance indicators, resulting in a more efficient and seamless transit experience for residents of both Santa Maria and Guadalupe.
For the City of Guadalupe: Consolidation improves compliance with transit regulations, enhances transit funding administration, expedited access to rider technology, and presents the opportunity to enhance transit service delivery without imposing additional operational demands on the city’s limited staff resources.
For Santa Maria: Consolidation enables SMRT to access increased transit funding opportunities that SMRT would otherwise not pursue on its own. It also increases ridership, improves KPI metrics, enhances regional connectivity (e.g. to the Gudalupe Amtrak Station), strengthens the overall transit network for future opportunities, streamlines inter -city coordination, and supports economic development.
For riders: Consolidation simplifies and improves travel between cities. It reduces the fare/payment systems from two to one, brings unified real-time information and technology, and expands mobility options, ensuring better access to commercial, medical, educational, and employment sites located in both cities while helping to reduce traffic congestion.
3 Alternative(s)
The City Council may elect not to consolidate Guadalupe transit service into SMRT.
However, this alternative is not recommended, as the two communities are economically intertwined. Guadalupe is presently without a viable alternative for continued bus service, impacting both Guadalupe residents who rely on Santa Maria services and Santa Maria employers who depend on Guadalupe’s workforce.
Environmental Review
This does not constitute a project. Further, Cal ifornia State Bill 2922 (SB922) exempts transit projects from having to conduct the CEQA analysis until 2030.
Fiscal Considerations
There are no impacts on the City’s General Fund as a result of this action. The Transit Program is an Enterprise Fund, sustained solely by Federal and State funding and locally generated revenues (e.g., fares). SMRT’s consolidation of Guadalupe routes poses no negative fiscal impact on the City’s transit program. On the contrary, it may create new funding streams (e.g., FTA 5 311) to offset financial obligations associated with the consolidation.
Impact to the Community
The consolidation would enhance service delivery for both Guadalupe and Santa Maria residents, improving access to schools, job sites, medical facilities, an d commercial centers within the SMRT service area.
Other Agency Review
SMRT’s potential consolidation of Guadalupe is supported by the City of Guadalupe, which approved the recommendation at its May 27th meeting, as well as the County of Santa Barbara a nd the Santa Barbara Council of Governments, all of whom have participated in the consolidation planning process.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Resolution
B. Cooperative Agreement