HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-13 - MTC Meeting - SLO Transit Update Item 5.a
Mass Transportation Committee
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 5/13/2026
Item Number: 5.a
FROM: Alexander Fuchs, Mobility Services Business Manager
Phone Number: (805) 783-7877
E-mail: afuchs@slocity.org
SUBJECT: SLO TRANSIT UPDATE FOR MAY 2026 MEETING
RECOMMENDATION
Receive the SLO Transit Update for May 2026 and provide comment on the discussion
items as necessary
DISCUSSION
Transit Operation and Maintenance Services Contract Award
On April 21, 2026, Council approved award of the transit operation and maintenance
services contract to MV Transportation. Staff’s recommendation to award the contract to
MV Transportation was based on the thorough review and selection process which
included evaluation and scoring of proposals for overall quality and completeness,
responses to interview questions, cost comparison, and reference checks.
MV Transportation is the largest privately owned provider of contracted transit operations
and maintenance services in the United States delivering services for more than 100
public agencies including 20 in the State of California. The company manages turnkey
transit services including scheduling, dispatch, workforce management, and preventative
and predictive maintenance. A significant portion of their portfolio consists of small to mid -
sized systems similar to SLO Transit’s service profile.
Following approval of the contract award, the City and MV Transportation have executed
an agreement which incorporates implementation of certain Short-Range Transit Plan
(SRTP) recommendations including reinstatement of service s to pre-pandemic levels,
increased Route 4A/4B frequency during the academic year, and operation of “B” Routes
on the weekends. Additional SRTP recommendations will be implemented later in the
contract term, subject to the availability of funding, vehicle s, and staffing.
The City and MV Transportation representatives are coordinating on start -up and
transition activities in preparation for the July 1, 2026, service commencement. Key
transition activities include vehicle and facility inspections, outreach to the Teamster’s
Local Union and represented employees (drivers, dispatch, and road supervisors), and
the compilation of operational information. Completing these activities is crucial to ensure
a smooth transition and minimize the risk of disruption of services.
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Tap2Ride System Launch
The open-loop payment system, now branded as Tap2Ride, is currently being
implemented across the SLO Transit and San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority
(RTA) fleets. A “soft launch” of Tap2Ride began on May 4, 2026. Initial communications
during the soft launch were intentionally limited because several minor inconsistencies in
payment verification were discovered during the quality assurance testing phase of
implementation. For now, the system is being promoted on the SLO Transit’s webpage
and onboard using bus cards shown in Figure 1 below. Once staff confirms that these
payment verification issues have been resolved, outreach efforts will ramp up and include
a press release, social media posts, print flyers, community partner engagement, and
other promotional efforts.
Figure 1 - Tap2Ride On-Bus Promotion
New Mobile App – The Transit App
The City has completed its transition to Connexionz’s new Computer-Aided Dispatch and
Automatic Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) system. The SLO Transit mobile application,
which was provided by the prior CAD/AVL provider, is no longer supporting live bus
tracking data. Static information like bus schedules, routes, and rider alerts will continue
to be supported on the application while riders transition to other sources of real-time
information. Real-time information is now supported on Google Maps, Connexionz’s live
map (see Figure 2) hosted on SLO Transit’s webpage, and other third-party applications.
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Figure 2 - Connexionz Live Map
The Transit App is one of the most widely used third-party mobile applications for trip
planning and real-time bus information. Staff is currently working on an agreement with
the Transit App that would provide SLO Transit riders with full access to the application’s
premium features at no cost. Staff anticipates completing the partnership by the end of
May with broader promotion beginning in June. QR Codes linking to the Transit App are
already included on all public facing SLO Transit materials as well as on the webpage.
Although real-time information is available through multiple platforms, staff encourages
riders to use the Transit App for their trip planning and bus tracking needs.
New Text Alert System – RideText
One of the features included with Connexionz’s CAD/AVL system is RideText, a
subscription-based text messaging services that provides riders with real-time transit
information, such as arrival times, detour alerts, and service updates . Riders can
subscribe to RideText alerts directly from their phone by texting “SLO Sub Alerts” to
22827. After confirming subscription, riders will receive all alerts posted by SLO Transit
via text message, providing a simpler way to receive timely service information without
opening an app or visiting the website.
RideText also provides real-time arrival predictions for individual bus stops. Riders can
text “SLO” and the posted bus stop number to 22827. For example, texting “SLO 1000”
returns the estimated arrival times for all routes that serve that particular stop (in this case
the Downtown Transit Center). To support rollout of the stop-specific arrival feature, bus
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stop signage displaying stop numbers will need to be installed so riders know which
number to text. Staff plans to begin installation this fall at the 10 highest -ridership stops,
with expansion to all stops over the following year.
EV Bus Deployment and Charging Infrastructure Update
In January 2026, construction began on the second phase of charging infrastructure
improvements at SLO Transit’s operations and maintenance facility. As of the end of April,
groundwork has been completed and the charging equipment installed. Staff is now
awaiting ChargePoint to install the power modules and inspect the wiring. Once those
final steps are complete, the charging stations can be commissioned and placed into
service.
With the charging infrastructure project nearing completion and the new CAD/AVL system
now operational, the six battery-electric buses delivered last spring have entered revenue
service. Figure 3 is a photo one of the new buses serving the Performing Art Center bus
stop on Cal Poly’s campus. The buses have generally performed well, with only minor
HVAC issues that Gillig has addressed promptly. Once the new charging stations are
commissioned, the older diesel buses are expected to be retired from the fleet.
The City also took delivery of two additional battery-electric buses in March and April
2026. Before these buses can enter revenue service, third -party systems including
CAD/AVL equipment and the Tap2Ride payment devices must be installed and tested.
Staff currently anticipates placing these buses into service this fall.
Figure 3 - New Electric Bus on Cal Poly Campus
National Public Works Week
Held annually during the third full week of May, National Public Works Week (May 17-23,
2026) recognizes the often unseen work performed by staff to maintain and improve
public infrastructure like streets, water, and sanitation. This year’s theme is “Rooted in
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Service, Powered by Community” (see Figure 4). As part of the annual Public Works
Week celebration, staff for public agencies throughout the San Luis Obispo region attend
the Thursday night Farmers’ Market (May 21, 2026). SLO Transit staff, along with other
City Public Works and Utilities staff, will be in attendance to engage with the public, hand
out informational and promotional items, and celebrate recent and upcoming successes
of our agency.
Figure 4 - 2026 Nation Public Works Week Poster
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