For Economic Development Committee [enter date here]
TO: Honorable Economic Development Committee Members
APPROVAL: Robb R. Steel, Interim City Administrator
FROM: Robert G. Eisenbeisz, P.E., Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Request Economic Development Committee to Recommend to City Council the Approval of the Passenger Amenity Program Agreement with Omnitrans for Bus Stop Maintenance in the City of Rialto.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Omnitrans, a California Joint Powers Authority (Omnitrans) is a provider of public mass transportation agency within San Bernardino County. Established in 1976, Omnitrans was a joint powers agreement, which includes 15 cities and portions of the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County. The City of Rialto is a member of the joint powers authority. Omnitrans administers programs to install and maintain bus shelters and other passenger amenities in cities. The parties of the joint powers, recognize that upgraded, well-maintained bus stops and amenities benefit City residents, the City's business community, and transit riders region-wide
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The scope of this agreement includes the following highlights:
• Omnitrans will provide bus stop facilities within boundaries of the City, and receive all revenue, including advertising, from operation of the amenities.
• The City grants Omnitrans the right to administer and maintain the passenger amenities program at current and future bus stops throughout the City.
• The City and Omnitrans will coordinate on the placement of bus stop facilities based on ’Omnitrans Transit Design Guidelines (2013) <http://design.omnitrans.org/>, ridership, funding availability and other determined needs.
• Omnitrans will collaborate with the City to pursue funding whenever possible for installation of concrete improvements or accessibility improvements needed for installing facilities at bus stops.
• At a minimum, two (2) advertising panels within the City’s boundaries are made available for the City's use for public service announcements.
There are 139 bus stop facilities within the City of Rialto as shown on the map and listed in the Agreement, Exhibit B & C. The City owns and maintains nine of the 139 bus stops in Rialto. The nine bus stops are along the Riverside Avenue corridor.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Omnitrans is solely responsible for the operations and maintenance of the bus stops owned by the transit agency. As part of their efforts to recoup costs, the transit agency sells advertising at some locations within the City; however, income derived from advertising is insufficient to cover their costs and Omnitrans supplements advertising revenue with other sources of income.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Economic Development Committee Recommend to City Council City approval of the Passenger Amenity Program Agreement with Omnitrans for Bus Stop Operations and Maintenance in the City of Rialto.