El Cajon approves 10‑year MOU with MTS to transfer maintenance of select bus shelters and allow advertising

The El Cajon City Council voted unanimously to authorize the City Manager to execute a memorandum of understanding with the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) that would allow MTS to install advertising at selected bus shelters and benches and take over maintenance of transitioned locations.

Director of Public Works David Richards told the council the partnership would allow MTS to advertise on select shelter and bench locations and to assume maintenance responsibilities for those locations. "Currently, the city has 162 bus stop locations within the city limits," Richards said, and staff reviewed each location for suitability.

An MTS representative said the agency and its marketing contractor evaluated the 162 sites and determined that 48 locations are suitable to transition immediately, 55 would require further review or improvements to meet ADA and sidewalk requirements, and about 50 sites are unsuitable for shelters or benches. "MTS has expressed that they're ready to transition these 48 bus stop locations as soon as April," the representative said.

MTS described maintenance commitments in the proposal: shelters would be pressure‑washed monthly or more often as needed, damaged equipment would be repaired or replaced within 48 hours, and graffiti would be removed within 24 hours of being reported. The transit funding context was discussed: California's Transportation Development Act funds flow through SANDAG and support approximately $140,000 annually that El Cajon currently uses for bus stop maintenance; signing the MOU would not change the city's access to those funds, staff said.

Council members raised community concerns about advertising content. Mayor Bill Wells said, "I'd like to not have alcohol advertising," and several council members asked staff to work with MTS to exclude the city from alcohol advertising and to note that MTS policy already bans marijuana advertising. MTS said it already restricts alcohol ads near schools and sensitive uses and can add El Cajon to a city‑wide exclusion list if the council wants.

The proposed agreement would have an initial 10‑year term and continue annually thereafter unless terminated; the city would retain the right to terminate with 365 days' written notice, staff said. Council member Gobel moved to authorize execution of the MOU with MTS, allowing the City Manager to make refinements; the motion passed by unanimous vote.

Next steps: staff will finalize agreement language with MTS and return executed documents as appropriate; the city will work with MTS on site selection and any required sidewalk or ADA upgrades prior to installation.