TO: Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM: Nader Heydari, Public Works Director
DATE: October 13, 2026
SUBJECT: Purchase of Zero Emission Dial-A-Ride Vans (CI 5719) RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve a “piggyback” purchase agreement with the California Association for Coordinated Transportation/Morongo Basin Transit Authority (CALACT/MBTA) and award a contract to Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, Inc. (Chino, CA), for the purchase of two Ford 2026 MobilityTRANS E-GameChanger Vans (Class Z-1) for the replacement of assets #555-019 and #88710 with a total cost of $296,021.69, as part of the Zero Emissions Dial-A-Ride Vans (CI 5719).
2. Authorize expense in FY 2026-27 in the amount of $296,021.69 from A/C #651- 5550-685-8400 (Transportation Fund – Equipment Over $10,000, CI 5719).
3. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: Yes
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. $655,940 in carryover budget is available in the FY 2026-27 Transportation Fund for CI 5719. Staff has secured over $8.4 million in 5310 formula grant funding authorized by the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) under the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and People with Disabilities Program (49 U.S.C. Chapter 53, Section 5310) for this project.
BACKGROUND:
The Thousand Oaks Transit (TOT) program was established in 1981. TOT provides approximately 200,000 passenger trips to residents and businesses across Thousand Oaks and beyond, with an overall service area of 138 square miles and a population of over 420,000 residents. TOT offers fixed routes, Senior Dial-A-Ride (DAR), and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services.
Purchase of Zero Emission Dial-A-Ride Vans Project (CI 5719) October 13, 2026
In addition, TOT is under contract to provide the following services:
1. A free local shuttle service (Kanan Shuttle) for the County of Ventura
2. DAR, ADA services, and vehicle maintenance services to the City of Moorpark
3. DAR services to the City of Westlake Village
4. General DAR and special event bus services to the City of Agoura Hills
5. DAR and ADA services to the County of Ventura
6. Inter-city DAR and ADA services to the East County Transit Alliance (ECTA) The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has mandated through the Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) that small transit agencies like TOT begin purchasing electric transit vehicles by 2026 and that all public transit agencies have 100 percent zeroemission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2040. City Council approved TOT’s comprehensive Zero-Emission Bus Rollout Plan (ZEB) on July 18, 2023 (Resolution No. 2023- 046). The City’s ZEB rollout plan complies with all CARB requirements and calls for transitioning to electric vehicles as they become available.
Two of the City’s existing DAR vans have exceeded the FTA’s estimated useful life and are now scheduled for replacement based on age (2019 and 2020 models) and projected mileage at the time of delivery (175,000 miles for unit #5550-019 and 170,500 miles for unit #88710).
On August 27, 2024, City Council approved the first phase of the City’s Transit Asset Management Plan (TAM) by authorizing the purchase of two replacement electric DAR vans that were due for replacement because of age and mileage. On March 25, 2025, City Council approved the second phase of the TAM by authorizing the purchase of two additional replacement electric DAR vans that were also due for replacement for age and mileage reasons. The recommendation in this staff report to replace two additional vehicles aligns with the third and final phase of CI 5719 for the DAR program. Additional funding needed to replace future DAR vehicles will be considered during the upcoming biennial budget process.
Staff previously secured over $8.4 million in FTA 5310 formula grant funding to transition the TOT fleet to electric vehicles. FTA's Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and People with Disabilities Program (49 U.S.C. Chapter 53, Section 5310) authorizes using these federal resources for transit activities involving capital investments in buses and vans, wheelchair lifts and harnesses, and other equipment. The City will continue to use these grant funds to purchase the proposed electric vans.
Purchase of Zero Emission Dial-A-Ride Vans Project (CI 5719) October 13, 2026
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Pursuant to Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Section 3-10.203(b), the City may “piggyback” onto, or join, an existing written purchase contract obtained through a competitive bidding process prepared and awarded by another local, state, or federal government agency. The requested replacement vans will be purchased using a state-approved cooperative purchase agreement administered by CALACT/MBTA. The City routinely makes purchases using this cooperative agreement with satisfactory results. The cooperative purchasing contract from CALACT/MBTA was solicited through a Request for Proposal/Qualifications (RFP/Q) process and awarded based on a variety of factors including the ability to meet the specification requirements, warranty terms, logistical support, and other factors including costs.
Staff recommends the purchase of two electric vans as they best support TOT’s ongoing operational needs for transit services. The two proposed replacement vans will be similar in size and function to the electric vans ordered on August 27, 2024, and March 25, 2025, and will comply with all applicable federal regulations and requirements for DAR operations.
The four previously purchased electric vans are currently being evaluated as part of the City’s transition to an electric DAR fleet, and the proposed purchase of two Ford GameChanger vans will provide an opportunity to evaluate a second electric vehicle configuration under actual operating conditions. Evaluating both vehicle configurations will allow staff to compare their performance, reliability, operational characteristics, and suitability for the City’s DAR service and provide valuable information to guide future fleet replacement decisions and the potential purchase of additional replacement electric DAR vehicles.
Unit #88710, originally leased by the City’s contracted transit operator (MV Transportation, Inc.) as a spare for the DAR program, was reassigned to full-time service due to increased demand and the program’s success. The vehicle is in service full time, which makes owning it more cost effective. Although the new vehicle will be purchased and not leased, it will still be classified as a replacement vehicle under the TAM. The acquisition strategy for these vehicles aligns with the City’s TAM, which the City submits annually to the FTA. The plan details replacement criteria and prioritizes transitioning DAR vans to renewable or electric vehicles as they become available.
The two proposed Ford E-GameChanger electric vans will be equipped with a wheelchair lift and can accommodate up to two passengers using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. The vehicles also include dedicated wheelchair securement positions and an accessible wheelchair door from the side of the vehicle. The GameChanger vans are expected to provide a driving range of approximately 150 Purchase of Zero Emission Dial-A-Ride Vans Project (CI 5719) October 13, 2026
miles on a full charge (89kWh battery pack), depending on vehicle configuration, passenger and mobility-device load, operating conditions, and other factors. Staff will assess range, performance, reliability, and overall suitability of the GameChanger model in comparison to the E-Transit 350 for DAR operations as the City plans future vehicle replacements.
This electric vehicle purchase will also help the City comply with the state’s ZEV requirements and aligns with the City's 2023 ZEB Plan to increase the number of low-emission and ZEVs in the transit fleet. Since transportation accounts for over 60 percent of the Citywide greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to electric vehicles is also a critical component of the City's Climate and Environmental Action Plan. Electric vehicles not only reduce carbon emissions but also improve health by decreasing air pollution and noise.
Staff recommends the purchase of these two vehicles in the amount of $296,021.69 (Attachment #1). Delivery of the vehicles is expected between six and nine months after the purchase order is issued. Upon delivery, the DAR program will have a total of six electric vans in its fleet.
This purchase meets City Council’s Top Ten Priorities #9, “Public Works Infrastructure & Sustainability.”
CIP PROJECT PRIORITY (as outlined in FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 CIP Program Budget)
Priority Two – Necessary, but not essential, and there could be consequences if deferred.
LEVINE ACT (California Government Code § 84308):
This item is subject to the Levine Act. City Councilmembers who have received a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) within the preceding 12 months from a party or their agent/representative, or a financially-interested participant involved in this proceeding may do either of the following: (1) disclose the contribution on the record and recuse themselves from this proceeding; or if applicable (2) return the portion of the contribution that exceeds $500 within 30 days from the time the official knew or should have known about the contribution, and participate in the proceeding.
All parties and their agents/representatives must disclose on the record of this proceeding any aggregated contribution of more than $500 made to any Councilmember within the preceding 12 months. Councilmembers are prohibited from accepting, soliciting, or directing a campaign contribution of more than $500 (aggregated) from a party, their agent/representative, or a financially-interested Purchase of Zero Emission Dial-A-Ride Vans Project (CI 5719) October 13, 2026
participant during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made. In addition, a party, their agent/representative, or a financiallyinterested participant is prohibited from contributing more than $500 (aggregated) to a Councilmember during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is made. The Levine Act disclosure form for Model1 Commercial Vehicles, Inc. has been completed (Attachment #2).
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
F. Provide and enhance essential infrastructure to ensure that the goals and policies of the Thousand Oaks General Plan are carried out and the City retains its role and reputation as a leader in protecting the environment and preserving limited natural resources.
PREPARED BY: Paul Weinstein, Associate Analyst
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Quote from Model1 Commercial Vehicles, Inc.
Attachment #2 – Levine Act Disclosure Form for Model1 Commercial Vehicles, Inc.
DPW: 940-10\ev\Council\2026\10132026\Purchase of Zero Emission Vehicles for DAR Vans staff report.docx