Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Mobility topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council expands Clean Mobility Options pilot, adds vehicle and extends weekday hours
Summary
Council approved Amendment 1 to the city’s Clean Mobility Options pilot with Circuit Transit Inc., adding a fourth electric vehicle, expanding the service area toward Hoag and the Newport Boulevard commercial corridor, and extending weekday hours to 8 p.m.; annual grant-funded appropriation rises to $650,000.
The City Council on Oct. 7 approved Amendment 1 to Costa Mesa’s Clean Mobility Options (CMO) pilot, expanding the on-demand electric vehicle transit service operated by Circuit Transit Inc. The amendment adds service area coverage toward the Hoag Hospital complex and portions of the East Side commercial corridor, adds a fourth electric vehicle, extends weekday service hours to 8 p.m., and increases the city’s annual program appropriation to $650,000 for two years. The motion passed 6-0.
City staff said the pilot is funded through state Clean Mobility Options grants and requires no local match. The initial grant award provided $500,000 per year for three years; a subsequent grant in February 2025 added $300,000 to increase total funding to $1.8 million and allow the expansion. Staff said the program launched in October 2024 and had seen steady ridership growth, reaching about 2,800 rides in August 2025.
Transportation Services staff described the program as intended to improve mobility for residents in low-income and underserved neighborhoods and cited goals to increase access to jobs, medical care and commercial areas while reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Staff recommended—and council approved—extending weekday operating hours from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. to 8 a.m.–8 p.m. while maintaining weekend hours from 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Council members asked about long-term funding if grant support ends; staff said the grant covers the pilot through Oct. 2027 and that staff will return with a memo analyzing ridership demographics, operating costs and funding scenarios so council can plan for sustainability or alternatives after the grant period expires.
Council’s approval authorized the city manager and city clerk to execute Amendment 1 and raised the fiscal-year 2025–26 appropriation for the pilot from $500,000 to $650,000. Staff said the city’s commitments for the pilot include staff time, electricity for EV chargers, and dedicated parking at the city corporate yard; operation is run by the contracted vendor.
