Attachment B
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) FOR PILOT SANTA MARIA TO SAN
LUIS OBISPO EXPRESS TRANSIT SERVICES
Between
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
1114 MARSH STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401
And
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401
And
SANTA MARIA REGIONAL TRANSIT
1303 FAIRWAY DRIVE
SANTA MARIA, CA 93455
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into this day of , by the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the San Luis Obispo region pursuant to 23 USC M,L Section 134 of Title, (herein referred to as “SLOCOG”) and between the CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, (herein referred to as “SAN LUIS OBISPO”) and the SANTA MARIA REGIONAL TRANSIT, (hereinafter referred to as “SANTA MARIA”), collectively referred to as “the parties”.
THIS AGREEMENT is made between SLOCOG, SAN LUIS OBISPO and SANTA MARIA for the dissemination of information and the coordination of a pilot express service and service planning efforts, fare structures, use of bus stops, and facilitation of transfers.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, SAN LUIS OBISPO and SANTA MARIA provide general public transit in the counties of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara; and,
WHEREAS, Santa Maria will begin to operate a pilot express transit route (SLO 210) beginning September 15, 2025, that will utilize SAN LUIS OBISPO right-of-way at (the Downtown Transit Center located on the 800 block of Osos Street); and, Attachment B
WHEREAS, to efficiently serve the travel demands of each county, each agency agrees to coordinate and cooperate in route planning, scheduling, and disseminating information; and
WHEREAS, SAN LUIS OBISPO and SANTA MARIA desire to enter into this memorandum of understanding for the provision of the pilot express fixed route service between San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria; and
WHEREAS, SLOCOG provides regional transportation planning and oversees Federal and State transportation funding within San Luis Obispo County and has agreed to facilitate communication and performance of this agreement between SAN LUIS OBISPO and SANTA MARIA.
NOW THEREFORE, “the parties” mutually agree as follows:
1. TERM OF AGREEMENT.
A. The term of this AGREEMENT shall be effective September 15, 2025, and will remain in effect for two (2) years or until terminated with or without cause or extended by either party by giving 90 days' written notice to the other party. Any party may terminate this AGREEMENT immediate “for cause” provided the terminating party notifies the other party of the basis for termination and provides the other party with ten (10) calendar days to cure.
2. HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENTS.
A. In the performance of this AGREEMENT, SAN LUIS OBISPO shall jointly and severally indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SANTA MARIA, its officers, agents and employees against any and all suits, claims, demands, liabilities, losses, and damages, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, arising from or connected with injury to persons or property, or any alleged injury, occurring during the performance of this AGREEMENT and resulting from the negligent or intentional acts or omissions of SAN LUIS OBISPO or its officers, employees or agents (Collectively “Claims”). SAN LUIS OBISPO shall, at its own expense, pay all legal costs, attorneys’ fees, and expenses arising from or related to such Claims, and shall satisfy and discharge any judgment rendered against SANTA MARIA or any of its officers, agents or employees arising from or related to such Claims.
B. In the performance of this AGREEMENT, SANTA MARIA shall jointly and severally indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SAN LUIS OBISPO, its officers, agents and employees against any and all suits, Attachment B
claims, demands, liabilities, losses, and damages, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, arising from or connected with injury to persons or property, or any alleged injury, occurring during the performance of this AGREEMENT and resulting from the negligent or intentional acts or omissions of SANTA MARIA or its officers, employees or agents (Collectively “Claims”). SANTA MARIA shall, at its own expense, pay all legal costs, attorneys’ fees, and expenses arising from or related to such Claims, and shall satisfy and discharge any judgment rendered against SAN LUIS OBISPO, or any of its officers, agents or employees arising from or related to such Claims.
C. In performance of this Agreement, SANTA MARIA and SAN LUIS OBISPO shall jointly and severally indemnify, defend, and hold harmless SLOCOG, its officers, agents, and employees from and against any and all suits, claims, demands, liabilities, losses, and damages, including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, arising from or connected with injury to persons or property, or any alleged injury, occurring during the performance of this AGREEMENT, and resulting from the negligent or intentional acts or omissions of SANTA MARIA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, or their respective officers, employees, or agents (Collectively “Claims”). Both SANTA MARIA and SAN LUIS OBISPO shall, at their own expense, pay all legal costs, attorneys' fees, and expenses arising from or related to such Claims, and shall satisfy and discharge any judgment rendered against SLOCOG or its officers, agents, or employees arising from or related to such Claims.
3. SEVERABILITY
A. Should it be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that any term, section, or provision of this agreement is void, invalid or unenforceable, the other provisions of this agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
4. GOVERNING LAW
A. This agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
5. SERVICE COORDINATION/DATA EXCHANGE
A. Each party shall inform the other of future plans for pilot and/or permanent new routes, schedules, and fares, exclusive of emergencies, within San Luis Obispo County. Any plans by SANTA Attachment B
MARIA for implementing new or pilot routes, not previously identified in Exhibit 1, must be pre-approved by SAN LUIS OBISPO and SLOCOG prior to implementation. SAN LUIS OBISPO and SLOCOG reserve the right to conduct an analysis of any proposed changes or addition of new routes, schedules and fares. If analysis determines that the contemplated change could adversely impact the SAN LUIS OBISPO’s or other transit services in San Luis Obispo County, SAN LUIS OBISPO and SLOCOG, individually, reserve the right to deny such change.
B. SANTA MARIA shall provide, on request by SAN LUIS OBISPO or SLOCOG, data that is readily available including boardings and alightings by stop and passenger load information for all inter-county services operated in between SANTA MARIA AND SAN LUIS OBISPO during the term of this AGREEMENT. Should a data request require extensive efforts, SANTA MARIA shall advise the requesting party of the expected costs; and, if the requesting party still desires the data, it shall so advise Santa Maria which shall provide the data and which may charge a fee to recover its actual costs.
6. SERVICE TO BE OPERATED.
A. SANTA MARIA’s proposed pilot service may not deviate from the agreed upon service route, fare levels, service times, service days, and designated bus stop(s) (as shown in EXHIBIT 1) without prior consent from SAN LUIS OBISPO and SLOCOG. Minor modifications to the service route, fare levels, service times, service days, and/or stop placement can be made without an amendment to this AGREEMENT if approved in writing by the authorized representatives of SAN LUIS OBISPO and SANTA MARIA.
7. CHANGES IN SERVICE LEVELS
A. Proposed changes to services (as shown in Exhibit 1) require ninety (90) days’ written notice from SAN LUIS OBISPO or SANTA MARIA and are subject to the mutual written approval of all parties; provided, however, proposed changes to service schedules that impact the Downtown SLO Transit Center, as shown in Figure 1 of Exhibit 1, by SAN LUIS OBISPO only require ninety (90) days’ notice to SANTA MARIA and are not subject to the approval of SANTA MARIA.
B. Major Service Changes, such as, establishing a new or eliminating a fixed route, realignment of more than 25% of the length of the route, adding or eliminating more than one (1) bus stops, moving a stop more than one quarter of a mile, or changing service span (as shown in Exhibit 1) that impacts the agencies existing transit service shall require an amendment to this AGREEMENT.
8. PUBLIC INFORMATION
A. Each party shall cooperate, to the extent feasible, in providing the Attachment B
general public with specific transit information and in advertising of operations of SAN LUIS OBISPO and SANTA MARIA’S services, in promoting the general use of public transit, and in providing participation and support in required public hearings.
9. REGIONAL PASS/FARES
A. SANTA MARIA agrees to participate in the San Luis Obispo County Regional Pass Program, which means that on the pilot express route operated between Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo, the Regional Day or Month Pass will be an accepted form of payment on the route.
SANTA MARIA will be paid the fare revenue for the San Luis Obispo County Regional Pass for riders of the pilot express route.
B. SANTA MARIA will conduct quarterly surveys or use other means agreed to by the parties to determine the ridership levels of customers using San Luis Obispo County regional passes on SANTA MARIA’s transit system. SANTA MARIA shall provide the quarterly survey results to SAN LUIS OBISPO and SLOCOG
C. SANTA MARIA shall retain all fares or other revenues collected on its pilot route with respect to that service for payments not made with the San Luis Obispo Regional Pass.
D. SANTA MARIA will provide access to the pilot express bus service, without charge, to SAN LUIS OBISPO staff for the purposes of checking/monitoring the bus service performance.
10. BUS STOPS/FACILITY SHARING
A. SAN LUIS OBISPO is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and expenses for bus stop infrastructure located at the SLO Downtown Transit Center. However, SANTA MARIA will be
responsible for the cost of any increased maintenance to such bus stop facilities reasonably resulting from the pilot express program.
B. Pilot express routes may utilize existing bus stop infrastructure for signage, provided such signage complies with all applicable SAN LUIS OBISPO Standard Specifications and Engineering Standards.
C. All signage for jointly used bus stops shall be subject to prior approval by SAN LUIS OBISPO before installation.
D. Each Party shall be solely responsible for any claims or damages arising from the installation of its own bus stop signs, posts, or poles.
E. SAN LUIS OBISPO shall provide access to restroom facilities for SANTA MARIA bus drivers at the City Hall Building facility located at 990 Palm Street.
F. All parties agree that SAN LUIS OBISPO vehicles have priority over pilot express transit service parking at the Downtown Transit Center and in no event shall pilot express transit vehicles block, delay, or idle in the street or otherwise contribute to congestion while waiting for access to the Downtown Transit Center.
11. EXHIBITS
A. All exhibits referenced in this AGREEMENT are hereby incorporated into the AGREEMENT as if set forth in full herein. In the event of any material discrepancy between the terms of any exhibit so incorporated and the terms of this AGREEMENT, the terms of this AGREEMENT Attachment B
shall control.
Attachment B
12. NOTICES.
A. Any notice required to be given pursuant to the terms and provisions hereof shall be in writing, and shall be sent by certified or registered mail to:
SAN LUIS OBISPO:
Public Works Director
City of San Luis Obispo
919 Palm Street,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
AND
City Clerk
City of San Luis Obispo
990 Palm Street,
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
SANTA MARIA:
Transit Manager
City of Santa Maria
110 E Cook Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454
AND
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
Executive Director
City of San Luis Obispo
1114 Marsh Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
A. The terms and conditions set forth in this AGREEMENT, including exhibits referenced, constitute the complete and exclusive statement of the agreement between all of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no other representations, promises, warranties, covenants or undertakings with respect thereto and this agreement may not be contradicted by prior or contemporaneous agreements.
Attachment B
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this AGREEMENT has been executed by the parties hereto, upon the date first above written.
CITY OF SANTA MARIA CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO &
SLOCOG
David W. Rowlands, City Manager
City of Santa Maria
ATTEST:
Erica A. Stewart, Mayor
City of San Luis Obispo
ATTEST:
Donna G, Schwartz
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Teresa Purrington City
Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGAL EFFECT:
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGAL EFFECT:
Name
City Counsel
By:
City Attorney
Date:
By:
SLOCOG Legal Counsel
Date:
Name
City Counsel
By:
City Attorney
Date:
SLOCOG
Attachment B
President
SLOCOG Board of Directors
Date:
Attachment B
EXHIBIT 1
Attachment B
Attachment B
Figure 1: Service Schedule – Weekdays Only
Santa Maria
Crossroads
Ctr (Depart)
Downtown
SLO Transit
Center
Santa Maria
Crossroads
Ctr (Arrive)
6:20 AM 7:20 AM 8:20 AM
6:45 AM 7:45 AM 8:45 AM
8:20 AM 9:20 AM 10:20 AM
8:45 AM 9:45 AM 10:45 AM
No Midday Service, See SLO RTA for travel
options
3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM
4:10 PM 5:10 PM 6:10 PM
5:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM