A significant proposal to enhance public transportation services in San Gabriel was discussed during the City Council meeting on November 19, 2024. The council is considering a plan that would increase vehicle service hours from 625 to 905 per month, resulting in an additional cost of $22,000 monthly to the city’s contract with Transdev.

City staff emphasized that these changes would allow for a thorough review of the service modifications before the current agreement expires in April 2025. The goal is to improve capacity and meet the demonstrated demand for transportation, particularly for medical visits. If approved, the city plans to purchase an additional van in the future to further support this initiative.

Council Member Chen shared a personal experience highlighting the need for improvements, recounting a recent failure of the transportation system that left him waiting for a ride. Despite this, he acknowledged that the system has improved overall.

The proposed changes would be funded through Proposition A, which supports transit services. City officials assured that the increased costs would not impact other municipal programs, as the funds are specifically allocated for transportation.

If the council approves the recommendations, staff will work with Transdev to implement the changes, update marketing materials, and analyze the success of the new service structure through ridership data and user feedback. The council is expected to vote on the proposal in the coming weeks, with hopes that these enhancements will better serve the community's transportation needs.