Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Microtransit Downtown Lighting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council receives positive Via microtransit report and directs staff to draft downtown lighting program
Summary
The council received a six‑month progress report on the Via El Cajon microtransit pilot (positive ridership and high satisfaction) and gave staff direction to work with downtown partners on a controlled program for color‑changing lighting in the public right‑of‑way, including triggers, palettes, and vetting to avoid politicized displays.
The El Cajon City Council received an operations update on the city’s on‑demand microtransit pilot, and separately provided preliminary direction to staff to develop a controlled program for color‑changing downtown lights.
Yasmin Arellano, director of engineering services, introduced a six‑month report on the city’s microtransit service provided by Via. Alex Battisti of Via said the pilot has shown early success in El Cajon: roughly 325 active riders, strong repeat use (72% of riders take a second ride), an average 4.9/5 rider rating, and targeted outreach (including Arabic‑language marketing) to better reach diverse neighborhoods. Via reported that riders used the service to connect to fixed routes and local destinations including the El Cajon Transit Center.
Council moved to receive the report; the motion carried unanimously.
On a separate agenda item, the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners requested the council remove current restrictions on colored lighting for city‑owned or partner‑installed right‑of‑way fixtures so the organization can program seasonal and event triggers (examples: holidays, Cajon Cruise, Arts events). The presenters described the ChromaStar Flex LED fixtures already being installed over Prescott Promenade and East Main Street and said the lights would normally default to warm white unless preapproved triggers run.
Councilmembers urged caution about politicized or controversial color uses. One councilmember observed colors can be perceived as political statements and asked for guardrails. Members generally supported a pilot approach: staff was directed to return with a recommended schedule, approved triggers, an acceptable palette of colors, animation standards, and a governance process to vet requests before activation. The council did not change the current code immediately but asked staff and the downtown partners to return with detailed options for council approval.
Next steps: staff will work with downtown partners to draft lighting guidelines and return with a recommended program and triggers; engineering will continue to coordinate with Via on microtransit operations and outreach.
