Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
JANUARY 15, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: AMENDING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRANSIT FEASIBILITY STUDY
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. RECEIVING AND FILING the San Gabriel Valley Transit Feasibility Study (Study) by the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG); and
B. AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to negotiate and execute Amendment No. 2 to the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SGVCOG for the San Gabriel Valley Transit Improvements Project for the continued refinement of project definition and alternatives, and initiation of environmental clearance for an amount not to exceed $800,000, bringing the total funding to $4,100,000.
Issue
ISSUE
This item provides an update on the recently completed SGVCOG’s Transit Feasibility Study conducted by SGVCOG in Spring 2024 (Attachment A). It also outlines the additional technical and environmental analysis, as well as outreach coordination, that would be carried out in the next phase of the project (Phase 3), pending authorization from the Metro Board of Directors. By continuing this study, Metro would address the February 2020 Board directive to evaluate options to serve the mobility needs of the San Gabriel Valley.
Background
BACKGROUND
At its February 2020 meeting, the Board withdrew the State Route (SR) 60 and Combined Alternatives from further consideration for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 (ESP2) project. In the same month, the Board also approved Motion 8.1 by Directors Solis, Hahn, Butts, Garcia, Fasana and Garcetti directing staff to 1) prepare a feasibility study and develop high-quality transit service options to serve the San Gabriel Valley, and 2) include a Funding Plan for the San Gabriel Valley and Gateway Cities subregions that encompasses Measure R and Measure M funding for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project (Attachment B).
In May 2020, Project staff returned to the Metro Board with an update and the Board passed Motion 5.1 by Directors Solis, Fasana, and Barger directing Metro to transfer funding to the SGVCOG to lead the study on the short- and long-term transit solutions (Attachment C).
In February 2021, Metro executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the SGVCOG to lead a feasibility study to identify short- and long-term transit options to serve the mobility needs of the San Gabriel Valley for $1,500,000. The SGVCOG secured professional services to conduct Phase 1 of the study. On October 18, 2022, Metro executed Amendment 1 to the MOU with SGVCOG to perform Phase 2 and increased funding by $1,800,000 to complete the Study.
In July 2021, SGVCOG initiated Phase 1 of the Study which included an initial feasibility study analysis and draft Vision Plan indicating the most promising corridors for improved transit services. Phase 2 of the Study was initiated in October 2022 and concluded in December 2023. Phase 2 focused on refinement and design of the most promising concepts and an updated Vision Plan with a phased implementation strategy.
In March 2024, the SGVCOG’s Governing Board approved the Final San Gabriel Valley Transit Feasibility Study and directed SGVCOG staff to perform project definition with any appropriate environmental analysis, and work with Metro to request funding for this effort in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Metro Budget.
At the May 2024 Metro Board meeting, the Board adopted its FY2025 Budget, which allocated an additional $800,000 in funding for the SGVCOG to proceed with the next phase of work (Phase 3) to include identification of a proposed project definition with any environmental analysis.
In June 2024, the SGVCOG affirmed its commitment to implementing the near- and mid-term project components identified in the Study, including design, environmental clearance, construction, and related tasks.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
This anticipated outcomes of the Study include identifying an implementation strategy with near term opportunities for investment in improved transit service (Jump Start Projects with implementation by 2028); identifying project(s) in the SR 60 corridor which could be implemented with the $635.5 million in capital funding committed by Metro (Mid Term Plan with implementation by 2035); and identifying an areawide long term Vision Plan with an integrated network of high quality transit services in the San Gabriel Valley (with potential implementation by 2050).
To date, Metro has identified some local and grant funding to advance portions of the Jump Start project envisioned for Valley Boulevard through the Reconnecting Communities & Neighborhoods (RCN) program. This program is a bundle of projects from Metro’s 2028 Mobility Concept Plan being delivered by Metro and other regional partners in support of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Following environmental clearance of the RCN program, for the SGV region Metro anticipates that the SGVCOG will implement the Valley Blvd Bus Priority Lanes project as part of the near-term improvements.
The completed phases of the Study identified Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Transit Signal Priority (TSP) transit enhancement projects aimed at developing a cohesive transit network for the entire San Gabriel Valley. The Study included BRT and TSP project segments for short-term, mid-term, and long-term implementation (further details in Attachment A and maps in Attachment E) in a series of three phases, as summarized below:
• Jump Start Projects (2028): A set of near-term improvements, or “Jump Start Projects,” have been identified for potential implementation over the next 3-5 years. These Jump Start projects are contingent upon securing earlier funding sources and need local support to be realized. The Jump Start Projects include:
o Traffic Signal Priority (TSP) enhancements along designated Rapid Bus Priority Corridors and bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors which currently have higher-frequency services, e.g., Metro bus lines (Lines 76, 260, and 266) and two existing Foothill Transit bus lines (Lines 280 and 197)
o Constructing “Jump Start” bus lane demonstration projects at one or more of six candidate segments including:
§ Atlantic Boulevard and Garvey Avenue in Monterey Park
§ Garvey Avenue in Rosemead and El Monte
§ Valley Boulevard in Industry and LA County, and
§ Holt Avenue in Pomona
o Providing BRT shelters to enhance stops at key station locations
o Providing “Complete Street” improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists in anticipation of future bus transit improvements
• Mid Term Plan (2035): The Mid Term Plan incorporates capital improvements which could be constructed with the $635.5 million committed to the SGV by Metro. The Mid Term Plan includes:
o Rapid Bus Priority Corridors - Provide TSP at all signalized intersections along designated corridors. These improvements would facilitate existing bus services in the near term and would host limited stop “Rapid Bus” services in the longer term:
§ Valley Boulevard / Metro Line 76 from Downtown Los Angeles to El Monte
§ Amar Road / Foothill Line 486 from El Monte to Downtown Pomona
§ Atlantic Boulevard / Metro Line 260 from Pasadena to Atlantic Station (Metro E Line)
§ Rosemead Boulevard / Metro Line 266 from Monrovia Station (Metro A Line) to Galatin Road (Pico Rivera)
§ Proposed Myrtle - Peck - Workman Mill - Beverly route from Monrovia Station (Metro A Line) to proposed terminus of Metro E line on Washington Boulevard (Whittier)
§ Azusa Avenue / Foothill Transit Line 280 from Azusa Station (Metro A Line) to Puente Hills Mall Transit Center (City of Industry)
§ Proposed Citrus / Grand route from Citrus/APU Station (Metro A Line) to Diamond Bar
§ Route from Pomona North Metrolink Station to Downtown Pomona via Arrow Highway and White Avenue (through Pomona Fairplex)
o BRT Corridors - Provide bus lanes and enhanced stations along designated BRT corridors. These improvements would support existing high-frequency bus services in the near term and would host BRT service in the longer term:
§ Bus lane segments and enhanced stations along the East-West Hybrid route between Atlantic Station (Metro E Line) and Pomona
§ Bus lane segments along Rosemead Boulevard within SGV (Rosemead, El Monte and South El Monte)
§ Transit center and bus operations center improvements (specifics to be determined by further study)
§ 30 Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs)
• Long Term Vision Plan: The Long Term Vision Plan features projects that could potentially be achieved by the year 2050, subject to additional funding and project development activity. No funding is currently identified or secured for this plan. The Long-Term Vision Plan includes:
o Bus lane segments and additional BRT services along designated Phase 2 BRT corridors including:
§ Atlantic Boulevard / Metro Line 260 from Pasadena to Atlantic Station (Metro E Line) with potential extension south to Artesia Station (Metro A Line)
§ Additional bus lane segments along Rosemead Boulevard / Metro Line 266 in East Pasadena
§ Azusa Avenue / Foothill Transit Line 280 from Azusa Station (Metro A Line) to Puente Hills Mall Transit Center
§ Bus lane segments along Valley Boulevard between LA Union Station and El Monte Transit Center (Metro Line 76)
§ Bus lane segments along the route from Pomona North Metrolink Station to Downtown Pomona via Arrow Highway and White Avenue (through Pomona Fairplex). (This route segment could provide an alternative terminal for the east-west BRT service.)
o Potential passenger rail service along the Union Pacific Alhambra Subdivision between downtown Pomona and Los Angeles Union Station with infill stations at the South Campus of California Polytechnic University (Pomona), Hacienda Boulevard (City of Industry) and Atlantic Boulevard (Alhambra).
o With buildout of the Long-Term Vision Plan bus lane, transit center, and operations center improvements and commissioning of new Rapid Bus and BRT services, the SGV would have an integrated network of east-west and north-south services covering the full extent of the Valley and providing public transport to all communities.
Community Outreach
The study was informed by continuous input and numerous comments from the general public, various involved jurisdictions, and key stakeholders including transit operators such as Metro and Foothill Transit. Various outreach activities were initiated during Phase 1 and continued throughout Phase 2.
A public opinion poll was conducted at the start of the Study. The poll was widely distributed through the web and social media and more than 400 responses were received. Key traveler characteristics include:
• 30% of residents surveyed ride transit daily or weekly
• 20% of respondents typically utilize transit for travel
• 15% pf those surveyed don’t have access to a car
• 70% of those surveyed travel more than 5 miles for work
• 46% of respondents travel more than 5 miles for shopping and recreation
The results indicate that there is a substantial market potential for transit in the SGV. The survey also asked respondents to identify factors that would result in higher utilization of transit.
During Phase 1, a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was formed that included 24 cities, unincorporated LA County, and other public agencies. The TAC served as an opportunity for agencies to provide input and collaborate on solutions. Additional outreach activities that occurred during Phase 1 included:
• Public agency/elected official briefings with over 30 participants
• 10 key stakeholder/one-on-one briefings
• Two community workshops that engaged 144 attendees
• Travel survey that garnered responses from over 400 SGV residents
• A social media ad campaign that reached 3,800 to 10,900 people per day and garnered 250 to 700 clicks per day
• A project website that hosted information and interactive concept maps, which received community feedback
• A dedicated email and phone number with a voicemail in English, Spanish, and Chinese for the community to provide feedback
During Phase 2, the TAC was expanded to include 27 cities, agencies, and elected official districts. The outreach activities that occurred during Phase 2 included:
• 19 one-on-one briefings with municipal agencies, LA County Departments, elected officials, and other stakeholders
• A project website that hosted an informational campaign and Interactive Map on the Initial Concepts, which received 49 feedback comments that engaged over 300 participants
• 11 community pop-up events in the cities and communities located closest to the concepts. Input from pop-up events include:
o Direct connections to Cal State LA, East LA College, Mt. San Antonio College, and Cal Poly Pomona
o Service improvements centered in low-income communities and areas with low car availability
o More transit service in Monterey Park and additional transit hubs west of El Monte
o Faster bus operations, more frequent service, and bus lanes on Rosemead Blvd.
In subsequent planning phases, SGVCOG will continue collaboration with cities and transit agencies.
In support of the SGV Feasibility Study, Metro staff provided project funding, technical and community engagement support to the SGVCOG project team. Activities included regular participation at bi-weekly project meetings and community workshops, general project administration (e.g., invoice review and processing), collaboration with Board offices and key stakeholders as requested, and also conducted internal peer reviews of the study. In addition, Metro supported outreach partnering efforts with the SGVCOG by posting QR codes on its Facebook and Nextdoor accounts to collect public feedback in support of community surveys.
Scope of Work for Next Phase (Phase 3)
Although the recently completed Study phases found that the proposed projects were feasible based on broad city and community input and engineering constructability, the study effort stopped short of securing approvals for the proposed projects nor a selection of a preferred alternative for each project alignment by the stakeholder agencies. Therefore, the next step of the study is for SGVCOG staff to initiate Project Definition efforts to identify the Locally Preferred Alternatives for BRT and TSP enhancements for each of the affected stakeholder agencies for which Jump-Start segments of BRT and TSP and the Mid-Term Plan that are proposed.
The proposed scope of work by the SGVCOG for Phase 3 of the Study includes the following key activities:
§ Project Management & Stakeholder Outreach, including management of work effort, progress and schedule as well as conducting of one-on-one project stakeholder meetings with staff and elected officials from the impacted stakeholder agencies that may involve presentations to local city council meetings to brief elected officials in the proposed project;
§ Community Outreach, including the SGVCOG and its consultants holding public meetings with community members and residents from impacted jurisdictions to further project refinement and conceptual engineering tasks (both virtual and/or in person), a combination of virtual and in-person community meetings, and attendance at community pop-up events
§ Mid Term and Jump Start Program Development, including coordination and readiness assessment, BRT lane configuration determination, traffic circulation and parking analyses
§ Conceptual Engineering drawings (from 5% to 15%)
§ Rough order-of-magnitude (ROM) Cost Estimates
The SGVCOG will continue to work closely with Metro and local jurisdictions to ensure that the project definition and conceptual engineering phases of work support the needs of impacted communities.
Phase 3 of the study is anticipated to be a 12-month effort. Upon the completion of the study, Metro will continue to coordinate with the SGVCOG on next steps including completion of any remaining environmental clearance, design, and construction of the Jump-Start Project components and/or the Bus-Rapid Transit Projects and the Rapid Bus Priority Corridor Projects included in the Mid-Term Plan.
Pending the outcome of the Phase 3 study efforts, Metro staff will coordinate with the SGVCOG staff to report back on the next steps in Summer/Fall 2025. Metro will provide technical assistance to SGVCOG during the Phase 3 study to ensure Metro's EFC data are considered in the new analysis and assist the COG to develop an outreach approach to EFCs.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Authorization of Amendment No. 2 to the MOU will not impact the safety of Metro’s customers or employees, as the study is in the planning process phase and no capital or operational impacts result from this Board action.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The proposed action allocates up to $800,000 in FY25. If Board authorization is given to amend the MOU, the SGVCOG would continue to request a disbursement of up to $800,000 in FY25. The Metro Project Manager, Cost Center Manager, and Chief Planning Officer will be responsible for budgeting the cost in future fiscal years if needed.
Impact to Budget
The proposed action will not have an impact to the FY25 Annual Budget. The FY25 Annual Budget includes $800,000 in Cost Center 4310 for Project #460233 "San Gabriel Valley Transit.” The source of funds is Measure R 35%, which is not eligible for Metro Bus and Rail Operations.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The Feasibility Study (Phase 2) identified transit enhancements aimed at improving mobility and providing reliable transit options for a subregion with a high percentage of transit-dependent populations and Equity Focus Communities (EFCs). The study’s objectives included:
• Reducing travel times and making transit more appealing than driving
• Connecting key origins and destinations in the San Gabriel Valley (SGV)
• Offering diverse transit options, especially for EFCs
• Increasing service frequency to underserved areas
• Promoting transit-oriented communities to address growth and housing needs
As part of the Feasibility Study, a study area definition report was created to outline the boundaries of the study area and contextualize land use patterns, demographics, transportation network, and existing transportation services. The focus of the study was on EFCs, communities with historically limited economic access, specifically those where over 40 percent of households are low-income (earning less than $35,000 annually), where 80% of households are non-white, or where 10 percent of households lack access to a vehicle. The demographics analysis identified priority areas that require improved transit services, which comprise 27 percent of the census tracts within the study area. EFCs were primarily located in Pasadena and Azusa (both along I-210), as well as in the cities of Alhambra, San Gabriel, Rosemead, El Monte, South El Monte, Baldwin Park, Covina, Pomona (along I-10), Monterey Park, Montebello, and Industry (along SR-60). Attachment E includes a map showing the location of EFCs throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
The Board’s action to amend the MOU for the proposed Phase 3 Study is not anticipated to have equity impacts. The SGVCOG and its consultant followed the four pillars model included in Metro’s Equity Platform Framework to identify and prioritize the needs of people living in EFCs in the Feasibility Study. Metro and the SGVCOG will continue to work together on delivering the needed transit enhancements for the San Gabriel Valley with a continued focus on serving EFCs throughout the Phase 3 study.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This action supports the Metro Vision 2028 Strategic Plan. Specifically, the project supports Goals #1 and #3 of the Strategic Plan: Goal #1. Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling and Goal #3. Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity. By continuing efforts that provide high-quality mobility options in partnership with the SGVCOG, enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to transit, and addressing mobility challenges in San Gabriel Valley, Metro is continuing to work towards equitable and accessible transit services, reduce travel times and roadway congestion, and enhance connections to the regional transit network.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could decide to not approve this action. This is not recommended as it would impact the environmental clearance and design development for this Measure R project. Conducting this study is necessary to determine a feasible path forward to address the mobility needs within this transportation corridor.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
If approved, the Metro CEO will execute Amendment No. 2 to the Memorandum of Understanding with the SGVCOG to further refine project definition with any appropriate environmental analysis and add funding to the existing agreement.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Feasibility Study (February 2024)
Attachment B - Motion 8.1
Attachment C - Motion 5.1
Attachment D - Letter of Intent from San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (November 7, 2024)
Attachment E - Project Maps
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Maressa Sah, Manager, Transportation Planning, (213) 922-2462
Jill Liu, Senior Director, (213) 922-7220
Dolores Roybal Saltarelli, Executive Officer (Interim), (213) 922-3024
David Mieger, Senior Executive Officer, Countywide Planning and & Development, (213) 922-3040
Allison Yoh, Deputy Chief Planning Officer (Interim), (213) 922-7510
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Ray Sosa, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 547-4274
