Gardena-backed G Trans hires consultant for comprehensive operations analysis; study funded by Caltrans grant

The Gardena City Council on Sept. 9 approved a G Trans contract with Transportation Management & Design Inc. (TMD) for a Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA). The COA contract was presented with a base cost of about $450,012.88 and a recommended 20% contingency ($90,098) for a total project authorization of roughly $540,005.85; funding comes from a Caltrans Sustainable Communities grant and previously allocated local match funds, staff said. Staff and G Trans representatives described the COA as a multi-task study to evaluate route structure, service levels, ridership performance and system effectiveness. The analysis will include stakeholder engagement, onboard ridership surveys and coordination with regional transportation partners; consultants will produce recommendations for route restructuring, frequency adjustments and phased service plans for future events and growth through 2026. Councilmembers asked how the study would affect fleet planning and whether it would recommend electric buses or other capital investments; director-level staff said the COA work scope focuses on operational and route recommendations but could inform future fleet and grant-seeking decisions if the study identifies service expansions that require additional vehicles. TMD was selected through a competitive RFP process and was described in the staff report as experienced on similar regional projects, including work for large event planning like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic planning. Council approved the contract 5-0: Mayor Serta, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Councilmembers Tanaka, Francis and Love. Discussion vs. decision: council questions about fleet implications were discussion; council acted to approve the contract with contingency (decision). Staff said the COA is expected to finish in 2026 and will guide G Trans service planning and grant-seeking.