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Gardena Transit approves driver-protection retrofits, new transit-planning software and paratransit contracts
Summary
GTrans received council approval to install extended driver-protection barriers across its fleet, sign a three-year renewal with transit-planning software Remix, and continue a paratransit services agreement with the city of Hawthorne. The measures fund safety upgrades and planning tools and allocate contingencies; funding is drawn from GTrans' c
The Gardena City Council on Aug. 12 approved a set of transit-related measures from GTrans that include a contract to retrofit driver-protection barriers on buses, a three-year software license renewal with Remix for transit planning, and a two‑year paratransit services agreement with the City of Hawthorne.
Driver protection retrofit Council approved a contract with Complete Coachworks to install extended steel barriers to enhance protection for GTrans drivers. The low bid totaled $53,002.80; staff recommended a 20% contingency ($10,006.56) for a project total of $63,009.36. G Trans reported kit parts had been purchased and that the chosen vendor will perform installations. Staff said these retrofits follow safety listening sessions with operators and collaboration with LA Metro and that GTrans will use existing capital funds for the work.
Remix transit‑planning software GTrans requested a three-year renewal with Remix Technologies LLC to continue using its integrated route-design and planning platform. Pricing across three base years totals $120,900 ($39,100 for 2025–26, $40,300 for 2026–27, and $41,500 for 2027–28, each covering up to 68 vehicles) plus a 10% contingency recommended by staff. GTrans staff said Remix streamlines scenario analysis — mapping routes, estimating operating costs, modeling resources and projecting equity and accessibility impacts using Census and GTFS data — and proved instrumental in planning recent route concepts.
Paratransit and interagency agreements The council also approved a paratransit agreement with the City of Hawthorne allowing Gardena to provide rides billed to Hawthorne under an allocated budget. Staff said monthly ridership reports will be shared with partner agencies; Gardena currently serves roughly 5,800 users while Hawthorne’s user base is about 4,000.
Why it matters The three items address safety, planning capacity and regional coordination. The driver barriers respond to operator safety concerns; Remix provides analytic capacity for route changes and special-event planning (including upcoming major sporting events); and the paratransit agreement leverages Gardena’s vehicle fleet to provide regional service while producing revenue.
Council action and funding Each item passed by council vote. Staff said all work is funded from designated GTrans capital and operating allocations; there is no general-fund impact. Council members asked about outreach to multilingual and cultural media for procurement notices and asked for ongoing data reports on ridership and contract performance.
Next steps Installations and implementation will proceed under GTrans supervision. Staff will provide monthly ridership reports to partner jurisdictions and incorporate Remix outputs into service planning for route changes and major-event transportation planning.
