HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-10-2025 MTC Agenda Packet
Mass Transportation Committee
AGENDA
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
The Mass Transportation Committee holds in-person meetings. Zoom participation will not be
supported. Attendees of City Council or Advisory Body meetings are eligible to receive one hour of
complimentary parking; restrictions apply, visit Parking for Public Meetings for more details.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:
Public Comment prior to the meeting (must be received 3 hours in advance of the meeting):
Mail - Delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Address letters to the City Clerk's Office at 990
Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, 93401.
Email - Submit Public Comments via email to advisorybodies@slocity.org. In the body of your
email, please include the date of the meeting and the item number (if applicable). Emails will not
be read aloud during the meeting.
Voicemail - Call (805) 781-7164 and leave a voicemail. Please state and spell your name, the
agenda item number you are calling about, and leave your comment. Verbal comments must be
limited to 3 minutes. Voicemails will not be played during the meeting.
*All correspondence will be archived and distributed to members, however, submissions received
after the deadline may not be processed until the following day.
Public Comment during the meeting:
Meetings are held in-person. To provide public comment during the meeting, you must be
present at the meeting location.
Electronic Visual Aid Presentation. To conform with the City's Network Access and Use Policy,
Chapter 1.3.8 of the Council Policies & Procedures Manual, members of the public who desire
to utilize electronic visual aids to supplement their oral presentation must provide display-ready
material to the City Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Contact the City Clerk's
Office at cityclerk@slocity.org or (805) 781-7114.
Pages
1.CALL TO ORDER
Chair Figueroa will call the Regular Meeting of the Mass Transportation
Committee to order.
2.PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
At this time, people may address the Committee about items not on the agenda.
Persons wishing to speak should come forward and state their name and
address. Comments are limited to three minutes per person. Items raised at this
time are generally referred to staff and, if action by the Committee is necessary,
may be scheduled for a future meeting.
3.CONSENT
Matters appearing on the Consent Calendar are expected to be non-
controversial and will be acted upon at one time. A member of the public may
request the Mass Transportation Committee pull an item for discussion. The
public may comment on any and all items on the Consent Agenda within the
three-minute time limit.
3.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - MAY 14, 2025, MASS
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES
5
Recommendation:
To approve the Mass Transportation Committee Minutes of May 14,
2025.
4.BUSINESS ITEMS
4.a MOU WITH SLOCOG AND THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA FOR PILOT
EXPRESS TRANSIT SERVICE
7
Recommendation:
Recommend that the City Council authorize the Mayor to execute a
Memorandum of Understanding with the San Luis Obispo Council of
Governments and with the City of Santa Maria for Pilot Express Transit
Services
5.COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
5.a DOWNTOWN TRANSIT CENTER REHABILITATION PROJECT
UPDATE
13
Recommendation:
Receive an update on the Downtown Transit Center Rehabilitation
Project and provide feedback on its scope, schedule, engagement
approach, and next steps.
5.b SLO TRANSIT UPDATE 19
Mobility Services Business Manager Alex Fuchs will provide an update
on the following:
FY 2024-25 Ridership Data•
Youth Ride Free Ridership•
Bus Stop Inventory•
Proposed Route Realignments•
Temporary Bus Stop Installation•
Microtransit Feasibility Study•
Recommendation:
Receive the SLO Transit Update for September 2025 and provide
feedback on discussion items as necessary
6.ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular Meeting of the Mass Transportation Committee meeting is
scheduled for November 12, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at
City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
LISTENING ASSISTIVE DEVICES are available -- see the Clerk
The City of San Luis Obispo wishes to make all of its public meetings accessible
to the public. Upon request, this agenda will be made available in appropriate
alternative formats to persons with disabilities. Any person with a disability who
requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting
should direct such request to the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 781-7114 at least
48 hours before the meeting, if possible. Telecommunications Device for the
Deaf (805) 781-7410.
Service Complaints: Complaints regarding bus service or routes are to be
directed to the customer service line at (805) 594-8090. Reports of
complaints/commendations are available to the public upon request.
Agenda related writings or documents provided to the Mass Transportation
Committee are available for public inspection on the City’s website:
https://www.slocity.org/government/mayor-and-city-council/agendas-and-
minutes. Meeting recordings may be found on the City’s website:
https://opengov.slocity.org/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=60984
Mass Transportation Committee Minutes
May 14, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Mass Transportation
Committee Members
Present:
Member Michaela Crampton (Technical Rep), Member Matthew
Duffy (Disability Community Rep), Member Delaney Ginn (ASI
Rep), Member Hans Hershberger (Business Rep), Member
Robin Kisinger (Senior Rep), Member Audrey Lariz (Alternate),
Vice Chair Marlene Cramer (Cal Poly Rep), Chair David
Figueroa (At-Large Rep)
City Staff Present: Mobility Services Business Manager Alexander Fuchs, Transit
Coordinator Jesse Stanley, Recording Secretary Melody Monroe
_____________________________________________________________________
1.CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the San Luis Obispo Mass Transportation Committee was
called to order on May 14, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at
City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, by Chair Figueroa.
2.OATH OF OFFICE FOR NEW MTC MEMBERS
City Clerk Teresa Purrington administered the Oath of Office to newly appointed
Mass Transportation Committee Members Michaela Crampton and Delany Ginn.
3.PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Public Comment:
Committee Member Matthew Duffy
--End of Public Comment--
4.CONSENT
4.a CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES - MARCH 12, 2025, MASS
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES
Motion By Member Duffy
Second By Member Hershberger
Page 5 of 24
To approve the Mass Transportation Committee Minutes of March 12,
2025. (Attachment B)
Ayes (8): Member Crampton, Member Duffy, Member Ginn, Member
Hershberger, Member Kisinger, Member Lariz, Vice Chair Cramer, and
Chair Figueroa
CARRIED (8 to 0)
5.BUSINESS ITEMS
5.a PRESENTATION ON ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2024
HOUSEHOLD SURVEY RESULTS
6.COMMENT AND DISCUSSION
6.a SLO TRANSIT UPDATE
Mobility Services Business Manager Alex Fuchs provided updates on the
following:
•Adoption of the Short-Range Transit Plan and approval of fare rates
•Open-loop payment project implementation
•Summer Youth Ride Free
•Upcoming Community Engagement Events
Receive Information
7.ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:36 p.m. The next Regular Meeting of the Mass
Transportation Committee is scheduled for July 9, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. in the
Council Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
_________________________
APPROVED BY MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: XX/XX/202X
Page 6 of 24
Item 4.a
Mass Transportation Committee
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 9/10/2025
Item Number: 4.a
FROM: Alexander Fuchs, Mobility Services Business Manager
Phone Number: (805) 783-7877
E-mail: afuchs@slocity.org
SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH SLOCOG AND THE CITY
OF SANTA MARIA FOR PILOT EXPRESS TRANSIT SERVICES
RECOMMENDATION
Recommend that the City Council authorize the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of
Understanding with the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments and with the City of
Santa Maria for Pilot Express Transit Services
BACKGROUND
The City of Santa Maria (Santa Maria) has historically contributed funding from the ir
Urbanized Area federal formula funds to support San Luis Obispo Regional Transit
Authority’s (RTA) Route 10 service. In 2021, following a one-time federal grant
contribution and a negotiated Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 -24 allocation of approximately
$255,100, Santa Maria and RTA agreed that an independent study was needed to guide
future funding decisions.
A third-party consultant study found that Santa Maria could pro vide comparable service
at a lower cost, prompting Santa Maria to propose a more cost -effective model where it
would expand its own service into San Luis Obispo County instead of subsidizing RTA’s
Route 10 service. On April 16, 2024, Santa Maria City Counc il approved elimination of
RTA’s Route 10 funding and approved Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT) to operate
its own commuter express service.
Around the same time as the City of Santa Maria City Council decision, representatives
from RTA, Santa Maria, SLOCOG, and the City of San Luis Obispo met to discuss the
need for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate services, data sharing,
fare sharing, and use of facilities for SMRT’s pilot express transit service. In July 2024,
discussions were put on hold as SMRT focused on its upcoming federal triennial review
as well as consolidation of services with the City of Guadalupe.
In June 2025, SLOCOG reached out to City staff about resuming discussions of an MOU
between SLOCOG, the City, and Santa Maria f or SMRT’s pilot express transit service.
SLOCOG provided a draft MOU for City staff and for Santa Maria staff to review and
provide comment. On August 6, 2025, SLOCOG’s board approved execution of the MOU
Page 7 of 24
Item 4.a
once terms are finalized and accepted by all partie s. Table 1 is a summary of the key
terms of the draft MOU currently under review by each agency’s respective legal counsel.
Table 1 - Key MOU Terms for Pilot Express Transit Service
Service Start Date September 15, 2025
Service Period Two years unless otherwise terminated or extended by mutual
agreement
Changes to Fare and
Service Levels
Proposed changes require ninety (90) days’ written notice
from either party and are subject to the approval by all parties
Regional Pass Fare
Sharing
Santa Maria agrees to participate in the San Luis Obispo
County Regional Pass Program, which means the Regional
Day or Month Pass will be an accepted form of payment on
the route
Joint Use of
Facilities
The City allows Santa Maria use of the Downtown Transit
Center for passenger boarding and de-boarding. SLO Transit
vehicles have priority over Santa Maria’s use of the facility
The pilot service provides alternative express (i.e. direct service) trips that are not
currently offered by RTA’s Route 10. Despite loss of Santa Maria’s funding for Route 10,
RTA will continue to operate the service with minor modifications implemented on August
10, 2025, as recommended by their recently adopted Short -Range Transit Plan. RTA’s
participation in the MOU is not necessary because Santa Maria’s pilot express service
will not use any RTA owned bus facilities.
Additionally, the MOU requires Santa Maria’s participation in San Luis Obispo County’s
Regional Pass Program which covers fare sharing between all agencies, including RTA,
for passengers using either the Regional 1 -Day or Regional Monthly Pass on the pilot
express service. If Santa Maria decides to make the service permanent, then a new MOU
will be drafted and include RTA as a participating agency.
NEXT STEPS
SLOCOG, Santa Maria, and the City will continue to negotiate the terms of the MOU with
an anticipated final draft being ready for inclusion with the Council Agenda Staff Report
by Friday, September 5, 2025. On Se ptember 16, 2025, Council will consider staff’s
recommendation to authorize the execution of the MOU for the pilot express transit
service. Also on September 16, 2025, the City Council for the City of Santa Maria will
consider authorization to execute the same MOU. If both boards authorize execution,
then the MOU will be circulated for signature the following day.
ATTACHMENTS
A – Proposed Route Map and Service Schedule
Page 8 of 24
Proposed Route Maps
Page 9 of 24
Page 10 of 24
Proposed Service Schedule (Weekdays Only)
Page 11 of 24
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Item 5.a
Mass Transportation Committee
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 9/10/2025
Item Number: 5.a
FROM: Alexander Fuchs, Mobility Services Business Manager
Phone Number: (805) 783-7877
E-mail: afuchs@slocity.org
SUBJECT: DOWNTOWN TRANSIT CENTER REHABILITATION PROJECT UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION
Receive an update on the Downtown Transit Center Rehabilitation Project and provide
feedback on its scope, schedule, engagement approach, and next steps
BACKGROUND
The City’s Downtown Transit Center is located on the 800 block of Osos Street next to
the City Hall Building. The Downtown Transit Center opened for operation in 2002 and
currently serves as the main transfer hub for all of SLO Transit’s fixed routes as well as
the Laguna Tripper, San Luis Tripper, and the 6 Express. The Downtown Transit Cen ter
is catty-corner from the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority’s (RTA) Government
Center bus stop which serves most of RTA’s regional fixed routes (9, 10, 12, and 14).
Close proximity of the two transit hubs allows for quick and easy transfers between each
of the two systems.
The Downtown Transit Center’s amenities include four structures for passenger seating,
two large informational kiosks, multiple trash receptacles, adjacent bike racks, and a
recently installed hydration station. There are also several security cameras to monitor
the safety and security of the area. The Downtown Transit Center can accommodate up
to five buses at any one time using a sawtooth bus bay design whereby buses pull in and
out of the station at an angle.
The Downtown Transit Center is now over 20 years old and though incremental
improvements have been made over the years, it needs a holistic rehabilitation. With the
adoption of the 2025-27 Financial Plan, Council approved Project No. 2001033
(Attachment A) that earmarks funding for design in fiscal year (FY) 2025 -26 and
construction in FY 2027-28. The intent of the project is to modernize existing amenities,
American with Disabilities (ADA) improvements as necessary, and expand the number of
bus bays to accommodate new services recommended by the Short-Range Transit Plan.
The following is a detailed scope and timeline for the project.
Project Scope
Addition of, at a minimum, two bus bays for future service expansion
Page 13 of 24
Item 5.a
o A new configuration is required given the limited space available
Additional security cameras
Replacement or modification of bus shelters
Installation of digital, possibly interactive, displays
Replacement of old-style bus stop signs
ADA improvements as necessary
Optional – Groundwork for installation of future opportunity charging
Optional – Additional fencing and/or lighting
Project Schedule
Design Phase
October 2025 – Release Request for Proposals (RFP) for design
November 2025 – Receive proposals for design
December 2025 – Execute contract for design. Begin initial design phase
(Alternative Analysis)
May 2026 – Stakeholder engagement on design alternatives
August 2026 through July 2027 – Anticipating remainder of design
Construction Phase
August 2027 – Advertise project
September 2027 – Award project
November 2027 – Begin construction phase (may need to postpone until January
2026 to avoid the holiday rush)
TBD – Completion of construction phase (construction period will depend on final
design)
Engagement Approach
The project’s design phase will include significant engagement throughout the
development and refinement of design alternatives at different stakeholder levels. Figure
1 is a “Communication Bullseye” developed by the Project Manager, Morgan Edmunson,
who will oversee the design and construction phases of the project. One of the key
stakeholders identified is the Mass Transportation Committee (MTC) because of the key
role the MTC plays in representing different community interests and providing input to
Council regarding SLO Transit’s operations and capital projects.
Page 14 of 24
Item 5.a
Figure 1 - Downtown Transit Center Rehab Project Communications Bullseye
Mass Transportation Committee Feedback
Staff is interested in receiving feedback from the Committee regarding the project’s
scope, schedule, and engagement approach as presented in this report. Below are some
questions to help facilitate the discussion.
Should the existing shelters be replaced entirely with new prefabricated shelters
or should the existing shelters be maintained?
Are there other amenities and/or design considerations not listed that should be
included in the scope?
Page 15 of 24
Item 5.a
What are the committee members thoughts about converting the 800 block of Osos
Street from two-way to one-way if it meant more bus bays could be added on the
east side of the block?
Are there other groups not shown in the Communication Bullseye that should be
part of the project engagement process?
NEXT STEPS
Morgan Edmunson, the Project Manager, will incorporate the MTC’s feedback into the
RFP for design in anticipation of releasing the RFP in October 2025. Staff will return to
the MTC at either the May or July 2026 meeting for input on the design alternatives.
ATTACHMENTS
A - 2001033 – Downtown Transit Center Rehabilitation Project Description
Page 16 of 24
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Page 17 of 24
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Item 5.b
Mass Transportation Committee
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 9/10/2025
Item Number: 5.b
FROM: Alexander Fuchs, Mobility Services Business Manager
Phone Number: (805) 783-7877
E-mail: afuchs@slocity.org
SUBJECT: SLO TRANSIT UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 2025 MEETING
RECOMMENDATION
Receive the SLO Transit Update for September 2025 and provide feedback on discussion
items as necessary
DISCUSSION
FY 2024-25 Ridership Data
In August 2025, staff finalized ridership data for fiscal year (FY) 2024 -25 and are pleased
to report a total ridership of 660,056 which is 17 percent more than the prior year. General
ridership increased by 9 percent while Cal Poly ridership increased by 22 percent. This is
the third year in a row where total ridership increased by 10 or more percent. Figure 1
shows the year-to-year change in ridership for the last five years. Even though it is difficult
to pinpoint the exact cause(s) of the increase in ridership, the City has restored almost all
pre-pandemic services over the past few years, conducted significant outreach and
community engagement, and continued to focus on the overall rider experience; all of
which play a role in positively affecting ridership.
Figure 1 - Ridership by Fiscal Year - FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25
FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25
Total Ridership 715,380 179,456 453,538 502,180 565,211 660,056
General Ridership 278,296 142,412 153,181 178,057 210,749 228,719
Cal Poly Ridership 437,084 37,044 300,357 324,123 354,462 431,337
-
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600,000
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Page 19 of 24
Item 5.b
Youth Ride Free Ridership
SLO Transit participates in San Luis Obispo Council of Governments’ (SLOCOG) annual
Summer Youth Ride Free event which provides free rides to K -12 students during the
summer months (Figure 2). San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and Morro
Bay Transit also participate in the event allowing students to ride anywhere in the County
at no cost. Last summer (2024), SLO Transit recorded 2,669 Youth Ride Free trips
compared to 2,349 trips this summer (2025); a 12 percent decrease this year compared
to last year. The decrease in participation may be due to the event ending nine days
earlier this year compared to last year (August 15 and August 24 respectively). Despite
the decrease in number of trips, staff anticipates continued participation in the event in
future years.
Figure 2 - Summer Youth Ride Free Flyer
Bus Stop Inventory
SLO Transit’s new intern and former MTC member, Emily McBride, has been hard at
work on several important projects; one of which is an update to SLO Transit’s bus stop
amenity inventory. Having accurate and up-to-date inventory helps staff track locations
and quantities of bus stop assets, informs the budgeting process for capital projects, and
guides future bus stop improvements. Emily took this project to the next level by using
her Geographic Information Systems (GIS) knowledge to build an interactive ma pping
dashboard and a Story Map for the bus stop inventory.
The dashboard (Figure 3) helps staff to visualize where bus stop amenities are located
throughout the City, includes more detailed information than what was initially tracked,
and makes future updating much easier. A Story Map allows complex datasets to be
presented using maps accompanied by narrative text and other visual elements like
photos. In the coming weeks, the Story Map will be available to the public on SLO
Transit’s webpage.
Page 20 of 24
Item 5.b
Figure 3 - Bus Stop Inventory Dashboard
Proposed Route Realignments
Currently, Routes 3A, 3B, 4B, and Laguna Tripper travel along Foothill Blvd., turn onto
Tassajara and serve two existing stops on Ramona St., before turning back onto Foothill
Blvd. and continuing on their respective routes. The recent right-of-way improvements to
Ramona St. narrowed the travel lanes requiring buses to reduce their speed and, at times,
stop entirely to safely allow for the passing of on-coming traffic.
Staff recommends relocating routes 3A, 4B, and Laguna Tripper from the Ramona St.
stretch and mirroring this service on Foothill Blvd. as shown in Figure 4. Foothill Blvd.
contains two existing bus stops with amenities like sign poles, benches, and a trash can
already installed. SLO Transit stopped serving these stops after the implementati on of bi-
directional route services back in 2017. Staff estimates that these route realignments will
reduce trip run times by up to four minutes, and help increase on -time performance, and
potentially attract more ridership.
Staff also recommends a slight realignment to Route 3A near Osos St. and Palm St.
Instead of Route 3A traveling south on Santa Rosa St. upon leaving the Transit Center,
staff recommends continuing straight down Osos St. and then turn left onto Pismo St. to
continue the route as shown in Figure 5. This realignment will help to reduce future off-
routes and reduce run time by up to two minutes, further helping on-time performance. A
bus stop would need to be installed near the intersection of Osos St. and Pismo St. to
mirror one of the existing stops near the intersection of Santa Rosa St. and Pismo St.
Page 21 of 24
Item 5.b
Figure 4 – Proposed Relocation of Stops From Ramona St. to Foothill Blvd.
Figure 5 – Proposed Relocation of Stop from Santa Rosa St. to Osos St.
The proposed realignments have the potential to impact transit-dependent populations as
there are several large apartment complexes on Ramona St. mostly occupied by Cal Poly
students. The additional Route 3A realignment is near the Senior Center and would
increase the distance of the nearest bus stop from roughly 330 feet to 500 feet. Staff is
Page 22 of 24
Item 5.b
planning to conduct significant outreach and noticing before implementing any of the
realignments. Outreach will include meetings with property representatives, handouts,
flyers posted at affected bus stops, and opportunity meetings with tenants and visitors.
Staff welcomes input from the public and from committee members on additional outreach
that should be conducted prior to implementation.
Temporary Bus Stop Installation
Staff has also established a temporary bus stop on Pismo St. near Nipomo St. to serve
the southwest end of downtown while Routes 2A/2B are detouring. Routes 1B, 2A, and
2B have been on detour for the last year due to the construction of the new parking garage
located at the corner of Nipomo St. and Monterey St. The detours have resulted in two
bus stops not being served; one located on Nipomo St. just north of Higuera St. and one
located on Nipomo St. near Emerson Park.
In response to comments from riders expressing frustration with the lack of serviced stops
in the southwest downtown area, staff has established a temporary stop on Pismo St.
near Nipomo St. as shown in Figure 6 effective September 2, 2025. The temporary stop
will be serviced by Routes 2A/2B until construction is complete and the routes can resume
normal service. The new parking garage is on schedule to open for operation in Spring
2026. Staff reached out to the St. Stephen’s Church which is nea r the temporary stop
location prior to implementation. Church representatives reviewed the proposed
temporary stop location and did not have any concerns with its establishment.
Figure 6 - Temporary Stop Location
Microtransit Feasibility Study
Cal Poly students enrolled in the Master of City and Regional Planning program must
complete a professional project, thesis dissertation, or exam as their culminating
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Item 5.b
experience. The City’s Transit intern, Emily McBride, is entering her s econd year in the
Master of City and Regional Planning program and has optioned to complete a
professional project as her culminating experience. After discussions with City staff and
her graduate advisor, Emily has chosen to conduct a Microtransit Feasibility Study. The
City has included in both the Transit Innovation Study and the Short -Range Transit Plan
a recommendation to pursue a Microtransit pilot program. This study will develop a set of
alternatives as to how Microtransit would be implemented and operated in the City
including proposed success metrics.
For the purposes of this study, Microtransit is defined as, “a flexible form of on-demand
transportation service to provide shared rides within a defined area. This form of public
transit can fill service gaps in traditional services offered by public transit agencies.”
The Mass Transportation Committee has been identified as a stakeholder and staff plans
on presenting at the January 2026 meeting an update on the study development. This
study session will give committee members and the public an opportunity to review
completed and upcoming community engagement efforts, case studies from other
California agencies, existing service gaps, and initial service alternatives. Staff anticipates
a final draft of the study being available in May 2026; however, implementation of a
Microtransit pilot program would not occur until FY 2027-28 as identified in the Short-
Range Transit Plan.
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