Glendale approves new bus shelters and $29.3 million purchase of 20 electric buses

The Glendale City Council on May 12 authorized two transit purchases aimed at improving rider experience and advancing the city’s zero‑emission goals.

Council voted unanimously to authorize a purchase of 38 bus shelters and 34 enhanced bus stops at a total project cost of $983,719, funded largely by a state transit grant with a local Proposition C match. Marta D’Andrea, deputy director of public works, told the council the package would place shelters and enhanced stops at B‑Line locations and add security lighting and planting where feasible. “The total cost for the 38 bus shelters and 34 enhanced bus stops is $983,719,” D’Andrea said during the presentation.

The council also approved a separate procurement to replace aging buses: staff requested authorization to buy 20 35‑foot electric buses from Gillick LLC for $29,331,060. Transit staff said roughly $25.1 million of the purchase is covered by secured grant funds and the remaining $4.2 million would come from Measure M/local match funds. Staff explained that federal and state grant conditions required vehicles to be zero‑emission, and that many of the city’s CNG buses had reached or were nearing their useful life. The presentation noted vehicle warranties and a six‑year battery warranty for the models under consideration.

Public commenters and callers raised questions about lifecycle costs, battery replacement, manufacturer recalls and whether smaller buses might better match some routes. Beth Brooks, a caller, asked how quickly batteries would need replacement and cautioned that electric buses have different maintenance profiles. Mike Borisov, a frequent transit advocate who spoke at the meeting, supported the purchase and emphasized the service improvements and cleaner fleet the buses would provide.

Councilmembers asked staff about where shelters would be installed, whether the project would include real‑time displays, and how many stops would receive shade trees in a second phase. Staff said grant funding covers the initial shelter and enhanced‑stop work; future phases and displays may be added as budgets and contracts permit.

Roll calls recorded unanimous support for both items. The council directed staff to proceed with contract execution and return with final purchase orders and appropriation resolutions as required. With the approved grants and matches in place, staff said procurement could move forward on the schedules presented.

Next steps: staff will finalize purchase orders and implement installation schedules for shelters and bus deliveries; the city expects staggered deliveries and further updates on real‑time signage and any phase‑two plantings.