Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transit Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves carryover funds for Montebello Bus Lines capital projects
Summary
City council authorized carryover funding for Montebello Bus Lines capital improvements including fare-system modernization, surveillance and IT upgrades, asset-management implementation, preventive maintenance and steps toward zero-emission buses and fueling infrastructure.
The City of Montebello council approved appropriations to carry over funds into the fiscal-year transit capital improvement program for multiple Montebello Bus Lines (MBL) projects, including fare-collection modernization, facility surveillance and IT upgrades, an asset-management system, preventive maintenance, and investments to support a transition toward zero-emission buses.
Director of Transportation John Sorey told the council that MBL operates from an enterprise fund (not the general fund) that supports an adopted operating budget of nearly $40 million and a workforce of roughly 200 employees. He said the transit CIP has a total program value of more than $14.18 million and that projects were grouped around modernization, sustainability, safety and passenger experience.
Group 1 projects include a universal fare-box system to add credit/debit-card acceptance and mobile payments (Apple Pay/Google Pay) while retaining cash to serve cash-dependent riders; a facility surveillance and IT upgrade covering the transportation facility and the Metrolink station; and implementation of an asset-management system for the fleet (40-foot CNG buses).
Group 2 covers preventive maintenance for vehicles and facilities to extend useful asset life and reduce in-service breakdowns. Group 3 focuses on clean-fuel and fleet upgrades: Sorey said the city is implementing its zero-emissions transition plan in response to California Air Resources Board guidance and is awaiting three hydrogen fuel-cell electric buses currently pending final inspection in Alabama. The city has allocated about $4.5 million for a temporary hydrogen fueling station (anticipated to come to council for a contract award), and staff said they have applied for state rebate incentives that could recover roughly $250,000 per bus. The presentation also identified $1.6 million allocated for additional compressed-natural-gas buses and about $639,000 for replacing aging 40-foot CNG buses.
Group 4 projects are intended to improve passenger experience and safety through continued bus surveillance equipment, security gear and improved bus-stop amenities; staff noted an RFP for bus-stop improvements would be released after council feedback on final designs.
Council members asked operational questions, including whether hospitalized patients could receive bus fare assistance. Staff said tokens remain available at bus lines for select cases and that the city also coordinates a Dial-a-Ride-style service for situations requiring a pick-up and drop-off; staff offered to follow up on specific circumstances. The council then voted to approve the CIP carryovers. A roll-call vote recorded ayes from Council member Alonzo, Council member Romero, Mayor Pro Tem Tamayo, Council member Peralta and Mayor Melendez.
Sorey said the hydrogen buses and fueling infrastructure purchases are proceeding in coordination with state incentives and that the November council meeting may include a contract award for temporary fueling infrastructure.
