RTA board signs off on hiring and operations changes to bring contracted routes in-house and run World Cup shuttles

The Riverside Transit Agency board on Dec. 18 authorized midyear revisions to the FY26 operating budget to prepare for bringing contracted fixed‑route services in‑house on July 1, 2026, and to provide surge shuttle service for games during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Charlie Ramirez, the agency’s chief financial officer, told the board the FY26 operating budget adopted in May was $115,500,000 and that additional near‑term costs tied to transitioning contracted fixed‑route (CFR) service and one‑time World Cup work total about $2,566,000. "The net cost adjustment that I am proposing today is $0," Ramirez said, explaining staff proposes to absorb the additional cost with savings realized so far this fiscal year.

The amendment packages a set of near‑term staffing and operational changes. To run the absorbed CFR service and the World Cup shuttles, staff said the agency would add 86 new positions and upgrade three existing positions in FY26. The positions include about 110 community bus driver roles needed for the service model (staff expect to convert roughly 60 incumbent contractors to agency employees and recruit about 50 new drivers who will require a seven‑to‑nine week training program); five operations supervisors; two training instructors; one transit clerk; an upgraded surveillance specialist; 13 additional mechanics and technicians; two parts clerks; six servicers; one maintenance manager at the Hemet facility; six maintenance supervisors; and two part‑time currency processors upgraded to full time.

Ramirez provided a cost breakdown: staff estimated the CFR takeover would add about $2,469,000 in FY26 costs and the World Cup service would add roughly $96,000, for a total of $2,566,000. Ramirez said those amounts can be offset by first‑half FY26 savings, including unfilled positions, lower medical insurance costs and reduced maintenance expenses, resulting in the proposed net $0 adjustment to the adopted $115.5 million operating budget.

On the World Cup plans, Ramirez said the agency has been engaged by LA Metro to provide transportation between Anaheim (where buses would begin service at a staging point) and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood for eight days in June and July 2026. The agency would charge its standard local fare and LA Metro has "tentatively agreed to reimburse the agency for the cost that it incurs," Ramirez said; staff emphasized any final work would be subject to a formal agreement with LA Metro.

Board members asked about whether the new positions would be permanent, recruitment challenges, and mentorship capacity. Ramirez said the roles would be permanent agency positions. A director raised partnership options with local community colleges; staff said they recently met with a Riverside Community College District representative and are pursuing a CAI grant to establish an apprenticeship pipeline for coach operators and mechanics.

Directors also asked about whether bringing the service in‑house will save money compared with the current contractor arrangement. Ramirez said analysis to date suggests a near break‑even outcome and that more detailed financial analysis will be available after the transition begins.

After discussion, the board voted unanimously to authorize the proposed midyear operating budget revisions, to authorize staff to work with Metro on World Cup service, to approve the updated FY26 salary and wage schedule, and to authorize staff to amend necessary personnel and contractual documents affected by the amended budget.

What happens next: staff will proceed with recruitment, training and contracting steps intended to put the agency in a position to take over CFR service on July 1, 2026, and will negotiate and finalize any agreements with LA Metro before providing World Cup service.