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Council agrees to explore shifting Guadalupe transit service to Santa Maria Regional Transit
Summary
The council authorized staff to explore consolidation of Guadalupe’s transit service with Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMART), citing potential administrative efficiencies and access to regional training and fleet procurement. A formal study and later approvals would be required before any transfer.
The Guadalupe City Council on Jan. 28 adopted Resolution 2025-09 directing staff to explore whether Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMART) should take over Guadalupe’s local transit service, currently provided by Smooth under a contract that expires at the end of the fiscal year.
Public works staff and Jeff (staff) explained SMART has capacity to buy and maintain buses, provide drivers and centralized training and absorb onerous reporting requirements that are increasingly burdensome for a small operator. Staff said SMART already operates a larger regional system and that state and regional agencies encourage consolidation to achieve economies of scale.
Council members asked about local jobs, service continuity, whether federal and state grant reporting would change and how local control could be preserved. Staff said drivers could be hired by SMART and retrained under SMART’s certified training program, that federal funds could still flow to Guadalupe but would be administered through SMART, and that the effort would go to regional boards for review before any final change.
Council member Villegas moved to authorize exploration of consolidation with SMART; Council member Hernandez seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote of ayes by Velez, Villegas, Hernandez and Mayor Julian.
Staff said the next steps are to enter a study phase, bring cost and operational analyses back to council, and coordinate with Santa Maria and regional agencies (SB CAG) before any final agreement.
Ending: The council’s vote authorizes a study and interagency discussion; no service changes are immediate and any transfer would require subsequent council approvals and interagency agreements.
