SunLine outlines ‘Rides Reimagined’ study; Cathedral City residents warn bus stop loitering, drug activity could worsen with a hub

SunLine Transit Agency presented its "Rides Reimagined" comprehensive operational analysis at a Cathedral City Council study session on Feb. 11, giving council members an overview of services, data collection methods and a public engagement timeline.

Mona Babautan, SunLine's general manager, told the council the agency — a joint powers authority of the nine Coachella Valley cities plus county representation — has provided local and regional transit for about 49 years and will mark its 50th anniversary next year. She described SunLine's mix of services: fixed‑route buses, complementary paratransit (operating within three‑quarters of a mile of fixed routes), a SunRide microtransit service that charges $3 per ride within geofenced areas (Cathedral City is included), and a taxi‑subsidy program that matches eligible riders' taxi spending up to $75 per month.

Babautan said SunLine's annual budget is about $50,000,000 to serve roughly 1,100 square miles of the valley. The agency reports about 3,000,000 passenger trips annually; roughly 15% of those riders are high‑school–age students. She described regional connections to Cal State San Bernardino, Downtown San Bernardino and transfer points with providers such as MetroLink, OmniTrans and Riverside Transit Agency.

The "Rides Reimagined" study, described as an 18‑month effort, combines ridership counts, travel‑time measurements, SunRide trip data and third‑party cell‑phone origin/destination datasets (cited examples: StreetLight, Replica) to map where people travel and why. SunLine staff are soliciting public feedback through an English/Spanish online and paper survey that has been open since late December and will remain open through February (exact closing date not specified). Online respondents are entered into a raffle for $50 or $100 gift cards. The agency plans stakeholder meetings this spring with city staff, tribal communities and regional planning partners (RCTC, CVAG) and will produce two service‑scenario maps the SunLine board will consider later in the year: one ridership‑focused map concentrating service in denser job and retail corridors, and one coverage‑focused map that spreads service more broadly across the valley.

Council member Ross thanked SunLine staff for their work. Mayor Pro Tem Gutierrez asked whether the study would consider specific transit centers and stop siting; Babautan said stop locations and transfer centers are part of the study and that SunLine would coordinate with Cathedral City staff and follow city permitting should a formal hub be proposed, noting a preferred existing location across on B Street at Buddy Rogers along Highway 111.

Two local residents testified during the SunLine public‑comment period, urging caution about siting a larger hub at the Buddy Rogers/B Street location. Federico Carrillo, a lifelong Cathedral City resident, described repeated break‑ins at nearby homes, drug paraphernalia and overdoses near the bus stop, and said he feared a larger hub would exacerbate those problems. "I'm not saying it's the bus's, SunLine's fault, but their business is what's bringing all of that," Carrillo said. Anita Carrillo, who identified herself as a resident caring for an elderly family member, said she has repeatedly called police about drug activity and loitering near the St. Louis Church and the City Hall area since route changes brought buses onto B Street and by the Buddy Rogers stop.

Mayor Gregory acknowledged the comments and said SunLine and city staff would consider them as they continue the study and community engagement. Babautan said SunLine had heard the neighborhood concerns and would factor public feedback into scenario development.

The study now moves into stakeholder review and scenario development; the SunLine board is expected to weigh service alternatives later this year before the agency prepares a final report and potential implementation steps.