Agenda Item 8 - TRANSIT SERVICE EVALUATIONAGENDA ITEM NO.8
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina I Office of the City Manager
DATE: March 15, 2022
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: David Carmany
City Manager
SUBJECT: TRANSIT SERVICE EVALUATION
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council provide direction.
BACKGROUND:
The City provides a fixed route shuttle and a demand response Dial -a -Ride service. Both services are
experiencing a decline in overall ridership and, for that reason, the City is exploring opportunities to
improve overall transit services. Transportation services are provided through a contractor, currently on a
month -to -month basis to allow for the evaluation of transit services.
Prior to pursuing alternatives to transit services and/or Request for Proposals (RFP) to bring a contractor
on a more long-term basis, the City is in the process of evaluating the City's ridership trends and transit
demands to identify the best model of service delivery to meet the needs of the community. This
information will then be used for a future RFP for transportation services if necessary. The City contracted
with IBI Group to conduct the evaluation.
DISCUSSION:
IBI Group has been meeting with staff and collecting information relative to existing conditions. IBI has
reached out to MV Transportation, the City's current contractor, and Foothill Transit to obtain
transportation data on bus lines/ridership. IBI, City staff and Foothill Transit have also met to discuss
opportunities for collaboration or partnerships in increasing transit services to our residents.
IBI Group also conducted a community survey to assess the current transit systems and ridership/usage,
obtaining 549 responses. The survey was marketed through the City's website and social media handles;
post cards (with the link and QR Code) were distributed on transit vehicles (GoWest Shuttle and
dial -a -ride), delivered with the senior meals, provided to the EDD Office, and available at City facilities
including front counters at City Hall. IBI Group conducted in -person surveying at locations including Plaza
West Covina, the Farmer's Market, and Emanate Health - Queen of the Valley Hospital, as well as City
events (Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Parade). In addition, two community meetings were
conducted (one virtually and one in -person) on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. IBI Group shared
alternative models for transit service delivery and received input from attendees. The presentation
has been available on the City's website. The alternatives developed seek to provide improved transit
service through reconfiguration of routes or delivery altogether, removing redundancy/overlap, better
connection to Foothill and Metro services, and convenience. At the time this report was submitted, IBI
Group was revising the alternatives to incorporate community comments and comments made at the
March 1, 2022 City Council meeting. At tonight's meeting, IBI Group will present the revised proposal for
alternatives.
Prepared by: Kelly McDonald, Public Services Manager
Fiscal Impact
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact resulting from this report.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES: Enhance City Image and Effectiveness
Achieve Fiscal Sustainability and Financial Stability