Montebello will seek Caltrans funding for Line 20 free-fare pilot to boost ridership during ACE construction

Montebello transit staff asked the city council to authorize submission of a Caltrans grant application to fund a free-fare pilot on Bus Line 20, a north–south route on Montebello Boulevard that links key commercial corridors. The grant application, if awarded, would provide roughly $350,000 to cover operating costs for the pilot.

Director of Transit (presenter) told the council that Line 20 serves strategic commercial corridors at Beverly, Whittier and Washington boulevards, and that service on the corridor has been affected by bridge construction at the railroad crossing tied to the Alameda Corridor East (ACE) project. Staff said a temporary free-fare initiative is designed to encourage ridership while construction disrupts normal travel patterns and to help maintain transit as a viable option as light-rail service approaches the area in the coming years.

Council approved the request to apply for Caltrans funding. Staff said the city has sufficient rolling stock to operate any short-term adjustments and that any future service changes or additions would be planned as part of transit deployment work funded if the grant is awarded.