HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/13/2026 Item 6j, Floyd and Fuchs - Staff Agenda CorrespondenceCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
City of San Luis Obispo
Council Agenda Correspondence
DATE: January 13, 2026
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Aaron Floyd, Public Works and Utilities Director
Prepared By: Alex Fuchs, Mobility Services Business Manager
VIA: Whitney McDonald, City Manager
SUBJECT: ITEM 6j - APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH
SLOCOG AND WITH THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA FOR PILOT EXPRESS
TRANSIT SERVICES
Staff received the following questions, regarding the Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) and with the City of
Santa Maria for the operation of Santa Maria Regional Transit’s (SMRT) pilot express
transit services. The questions are below with staff’s response shown in italics:
1) On Agenda Packet page 161, Section 10, Bus Stops/Facilit y Sharing, of the
draft MOU states that the City of San Luis Obispo is responsible for the
installation, maintenance, and expenses for bus stop infrastructure located
at the SLO Downtown Transit Center. However, the City of Santa Maria will
be responsible for the cost of any increased maintenance to such bus stop
facilities reasonably resulting from the pilot express program. Can you
describe how increased maintenance as a result of the pilot might be
identified?
The City’s transit operation and maintenance services contractor, Transdev,
regularly monitors and reports bus stop and facility maintenance needs at the
Downtown Transit Center. These reports document the nature of the issue,
location, and the observed cause when known.
Maintenance work is typically performed by a separate contractor and billed to the
City at established hourly rates. If maintenance needs are reasonably attributable
to SMRT’s use of the Downtown Transit Center as part of the pilot express
services, such as increased wear, damage, or cleaning requirements beyond
normal operations pre-pilot program, those incremental costs would be identified
and documented and the City of Santa Maria would be invoiced for the additional
maintenance expenses associated with the pilot express service.
Item 6j – Approve a MOU with SLOCOG and City of SM for Pilot Express Transit Services Page 2
The recently issued Request for Proposals (RFP) for transit operation and
maintenance services would require the selected contractor to also perform these
maintenance services. Once the new contract term begins, the selected contractor
will identify and report maintenance needs, along with the labor time required to
complete the work, so that the maintenance expenses attributable to the pilot
express service can continue to be tracked and invoiced appropriately.
2) Does SMRT have the option of using the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit
Authority (RTA) bus bays in front of the County government center?
No, under the proposed MOU, SMRT would not have the option to use RTA’s bus
bays for the pick-up or drop-off of passengers.
The MOU for the pilot services does not include RTA as a party, as there was
mutual agreement that RTA involvement was not necessary for the pilot. However,
RTA notified the City that RTA has informally agreed to allow SMRT limited use of
bus bays for short-term layovers while awaiting departure of the return trip to Santa
Maria. This layover use is conditional and must not interfere with RTA’s scheduled
operations or normal use of the bus bays.
3) Does SMRT coordinate arrival times with the SLO Transit "pulse" schedule,
especially routes to Cal Poly?
Yes, SMRT considered SLO Transit’s schedule when planning the arrival and
departure times for the pilot express service. The service schedules are designed
to complement one another and allow for timely transfers without disrupting either
transit system.
SLO Transit operates a bidirectional routing structure with “A” Routes traveling
clockwise and “B” Routes traveling counterclockwise. As a result, morning riders
of the pilot express service traveling to the Cal Poly campus would likely transfer
to either Route 3B or 4B while afternoon riders traveling from the Cal Poly campus
would likely transfer from either Route 3A or 4A.
In the morning, Route 3B and 4B each provide two trips that depart shortly after
SMRT’s service arrives at the Downtown Transit Center. Similarly, in the afternoon,
Route 3A and 4A provide three and two trips, respectively, that arrive at the
Downtown Transit Center shortly before SMRT’s scheduled departure. Routes 3B
and 4B also provide afternoon trips that could be used to transfer between
services, although travel times from Cal Poly campus to the Downtown Transit
Center would be longer compared to the “A” Routes.
Item 6j – Approve a MOU with SLOCOG and City of SM for Pilot Express Transit Services Page 3
In addition to the above questions, a fter the publication of the Council Agenda Packet,
staff consulted with the City Attorney’s Office and determined that Section 7, Changes in
Service Levels, of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) required further
clarification. The clarification is intended to specify that Section 7 applies only to the
services shown in Exhibit 1 to the MOU, and that changes to SLO Transit’s services
schedules made by the City of San Luis Obispo require a ninety (90) days’ notice to the
City Santa Maria but are not subject to the City Santa Maria’s approval.
A redlined version of Section 7 showing the revised language in red text is provided below.
Attachment A is a revised final draft of the MOU and replaces Attachment A included in
the original Council Agenda Report. A copy of the updated MOU was provided to the City
of Santa Maria on January 8, 2026.
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.
ATTACHMENT
A – Revised final draft MOU for Pilot Express Transit Services
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,
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 wit h 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,
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
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 partie s;
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
general public with specific transit information and in advertising of
operations of SAN LUIS OBISPO and SANTA MARIA’S services,
inpromoting 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
shall control.
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 and Utilities 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.
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
ATTEST:
ATTEST:
Mayor
City of Santa Maria
Erica A. Stewart, Mayor
City of San Luis Obispo
Name
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
President
SLOCOG Board of Directors
Date:
EXHIBIT 1
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