Council approves G Trans service changes and a GMEA side letter to fast-track relief operators

The Gardena City Council on Sept. 10 approved a package of service adjustments proposed by G Trans and a labor agreement change intended to help recruit and retain bus operators.

G Trans staff described service realignments designed to reflect ridership shifts since the 2020 pandemic and to respond to regional changes in travel patterns and new regional projects. The agency recommended eliminating trips to downtown Los Angeles on a service (line 1X) that has not run since 2020, adjust schedules on other lines for reliability, and increase weekend frequency on Line 5 from 45 to 30 minutes. G Trans projected overall annual cost savings of about $1.85 million; staff said realized savings and line-by-line adjustments would absorb implementation costs with no general fund impact.

Council members expressed concern about riders who rely on specific trips and asked about school service. G Trans staff confirmed Gardena High School trips would continue (two morning trips into Gardena and two afternoon trips out) and that Harbor General service (Line 2) remains the busiest line and will be preserved.

Separately, staff sought council approval of a tentative side letter with the Gardena Municipal Employees Association (GMEA) to eliminate a one-year waiting period that previously prevented relief bus operators from testing to become full‑time operators until they had served one year. City staff and the G Trans director said removing the waiting period will allow current relief operators to apply sooner, help retain staff and reduce the need to recruit externally. Staff estimated conversion costs of roughly $30,000 per employee and an aggregate impact of about $600,000, which G Trans can fund within its FY24–25 operating budget.

Both the service changes and the GMEA side letter were approved by the council on roll call votes.