Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 19, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP STADIUM SHUTTLES
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACTS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
WITHDRAWN:
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to:
A. AWARD a five-month, firm fixed unit rate contract, Contract No. OP2026710000 to T1 Transportation, Inc., to provide bus transportation services from El Camino College, located in Torrance, CA, to and from Los Angeles (SoFi) Stadium, located in Inglewood, California, for a total of eight FIFA World Cup games in the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $671,424.00, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any;
B. AWARD a five-month, firm fixed unit rate contract, Contract No. OP2026710001 to T1 Transportation, Inc., to provide bus transportation services from Los Angeles International Airport area hotels and parking zones to and from Los Angeles (SoFi) Stadium, located in Inglewood, California, for a total of eight FIFA World Cup games in the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $531,544.00, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any; and
C. AWARD a five-month, firm fixed unit rate contract, Contract No. OP2026710002 to T1 Transportation, Inc., to provide bus transportation services from Pierce College G Line Station, located in Woodland Hills, CA, to and from Los Angeles (SoFi) Stadium, located in Inglewood, California, for a total of eight FIFA World Cup games in the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $139,880.00, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
Los Angeles County will host eight FIFA World Cup games at Los Angeles (So Fi) Stadium in the summer of 2026. Metro has been designated as the Official Public Transit Provider for the Los Angeles host city during the 2026 World Cup. Metro will provide convenient, safe, and accessible transit services for general spectators attending these games.
Current estimates indicate that approximately 300 buses will be needed to provide additional transit services (beyond the region's transit network) for the 25,000 general spectators from over a dozen transit and park-and-ride hubs across Los Angeles County and Southern California. The anticipated routes for 100 of the 300 buses are designated as charter service.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Charter Bus Service Regulations (49 CFR Part 604) governs the provision of charter service by Federal recipients, including Metro and the regional transit providers. As Metro is establishing a World Cup Games Enhanced Transit Service (WCGETS) to connect major transit hubs of the region to the stadium, Metro must abide by the charter regulations by contracting charter services to private providers. The award of these three contracts will ensure that Metro is complying with federal regulations by contracting the temporary services under WCGETS that have been identified as charter services.
Background
BACKGROUND
The FIFA World Cup, held every four years, is a global soccer event that attracts millions of fans. Metro has led efforts by the region’s transit providers to plan for meeting the transportation needs of general spectators from the region, state, nation, and across the world attending the eight World Cup games at Los Angeles Stadium. The FTA has been consulted in assessing which routes are considered general public transit service and which are considered charter services. Based on this consultation, Metro has identified roughly 200 of the 300 WCGETS buses needed as being assigned to general public transit services that are not funded by a third party, are open to the general public, will be priced according to Metro’s existing fare structure, and either: 1) connects a major transit (e.g. Union Station) to the stadium, 2) is a regular seasonal service (e.g. LAX/MTC SoFi Shuttle), or 3) protects an existing major bus line by adding supplemental service along the corridor (e.g. service along Crenshaw and Hawthorne Boulevards from the C Line to the stadium). The remaining 100 buses are assigned to services that can be deemed charter service (e.g. event specific shuttles from temporary Park and Rides with limited existing transit access, or service picking up and dropping off fans from nearby hotels along Century Blvd).
Consistent with FTA Charter Bus regulations, Metro noticed charter companies registered on the FTA charter bus website on their willingness and ability to provide charter services for the World Cup. Once identified, a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the three charter services was issued to those as well as other private service providers. While the charter regulations prohibit agencies from requiring all vehicles from a charter company being accessible and/or utilizing alternative fuel buses, the RFP incorporated those elements as preferred criteria. In addition, the RFP required that private providers who did not have accessible buses to include up to 10 percent accessible vehicles (e.g. vans) in their proposal to supplement services to be provided by Access Services.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Consistent with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Charter Bus regulations, Metro noticed the charter bus industry list maintained by FTA of this opportunity as well as sending the RFP to those charter bus providers who expressed interest in this opportunity. Metro also briefed the SMART labor union on the World Cup GETS program including SMART operator participation, Charter Regulations compliance, and partnering with Regional Transit providers.
To accommodate the entire expected general spectators needing bus services from regional transit hubs, staff recommends partnering with T1 Transportation, Inc., to operate dedicated bus services from three key Park and Ride hubs to the Los Angeles Stadium:
• El Camino College - 3400 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Torrance
• LAX Area Hotels and Parking Zones Partnerships - Century Blvd area between Sepulveda Boulevard & Aviation Boulevard
• Pierce College - 6425 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills
These three locations were strategically selected to serve as Park and Ride hubs based on their parking supply, proximity to the Los Angeles Stadium, and/or regional priority. Each site will be accessible to all riders with either existing sidewalks and ramps or temporary ramps and platforms installed for ADA access.
Charter Bus Operations
T1 Transportation, Inc., has been selected through the charter bus procurement process to provide Metro with:
• Vehicles capable of sustained service across game days
• Licensed bus operators
• Fuel and vehicle maintenance (including field maintenance staff)
• Supervision and storage during the event period
The shuttles will typically begin service in time to deliver general spectators to the Los Angeles Stadium approximately three hours before each start of game. They will continue to operate return trips for up to 90 minutes after each game concludes (with limited on-demand service during the game), offering fans a convenient, safe, and accessible alternative to driving to these games.
This procurement was completed in accordance with Federal Transit Administration charter bus regulations. Staff engaged in discussions with the SMART union. The conversations focused on Charter Services and the federal regulations required for implementing supplemental services along the existing major bus line corridors. The goal was to ensure compliance with regulatory standards while exploring opportunities to enhance public transportation options for the community.
Non-Charter Bus Services
Metro and the regional transit providers will work together to operate up to 200 buses, linking regional transit hubs to the stadium. Metro's SMART union operators will have around 100 assignments for each game and are prepared to manage the additional services required for the World Cup games at the Los Angeles Stadium. Furthermore, to effectively meet the game-day transit demand, more buses will be necessary to serve parking areas that are not connected to the regional transit hubs.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The approval of this award will result in a contractor required to proactively ensure the delivery of safe, clean, and reliable bus transportation services in support of the 2026 FIFA World Cup games at Los Angeles Stadium
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
For these contracts, funding of $1,342,848.00 for FY26 is allocated under cost center 3592 - Service Development, Project 306007 - Special Mega Events, Task No. 01.02.2001.021, World Cup 2026 Bus Transportation.
Impact to Budget
The budget for the entire WCGETS, including bus services obtained through this procurement, has been budgeted for six of the eight games occurring in FY26 and will be included in the FY27 budget for the two games that fall in July 2026 as part of the FY27 budget year. The entire program has been funded through federal funding specifically earmarked to support World Cup transportation.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Metro is committed to providing equitable access for all general spectators during the FIFA World Cup in 2026. In line with this commitment, Metro is taking steps to enhance ADA accommodations across its transportation systems, including accessible boarding locations and accessible buses with ramps and wheelchair positions as part of the fleet provided through these contracts. Metro is also partnering with Access Services to offer additional accessible vehicles to supplement the accessible buses on these services to ensure equitable access to service for all riders.
Moreover, Metro is committed to maintaining existing service levels for regular riders, with an enhanced set of transit services added to cater to general spectators attending the eight games at Los Angeles Stadium. These services will significantly reduce the congestion and other impacts experienced in the communities surrounding Los Angeles (SoFi) Stadium each game day. The areas around the three locations have been identified as “High Need” within the Metro Equity Need Index (MENI) and have an average population of 72% Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). This highlights the critical importance of accessible transportation options for these communities.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through planning and operational activities that will benefit and further encourage transit ridership, ridesharing, and active transportation. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives. Metro’s work to support the upcoming World Cup games in Los Angeles will focus on transporting general spectators to and from the eight games at Los Angeles Stadium using transit rather than driving alone or in low-occupancy vehicles, creating severe congestion and other impacts to the communities around the stadium.
Metro Board has adopted an agency-wide VMT Reduction Target, and this item supports the overall function of the agency, this item is consistent with the goals of reducing VMT.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
By offering general spectators alternative transportation options to reach Los Angeles (SoFi) Stadium, this recommendation supports several strategic plan goals:
1. Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling.
A. The charter services will enhance Metro’s transportation offerings, improve the overall quality of its transit network, and help manage demand across the entire system.
2. Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system.
A. The charter services will provide part of the program of direct services to the Los Angeles (SoFi) Stadium, making the ride efficient, safe, convenient, and user-friendly.
3. Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity.
A. Through active collaboration with public and private sector partners, Metro aims to make LA County’s transportation system more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to community needs.
4. Transform LA County through regional collaboration and national leadership.
A. Metro is committed to environmental sustainability and will take a leadership role in managing and providing a resilient mobility system during the World Cup.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The alternative is to not award these contracts. Not awarding these contracts would lead to significant additional strain placed on the area around the stadium that lacks parking for all attending spectators, leading to significant congestion and other impacts, such as air and noise pollution imposed on the local community. Metro and other regional transit providers are providing approximately 200 buses, operators, and support staff towards the overall World Cup games transit program. Consistent with Federal Charter Bus Regulations, additional buses needed for services to parking locations not related to the region’s transit network must be procured from private charter providers to deliver the full program of services needed to meet the demand for access to the stadium. To operate these services by Metro or other regional transit providers would be in conflict with Federal Charter Bus Regulations and Metro and other regional transit operators do not have the capacity to meet this additional need.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Contract No’s. OP2026710000, OP2026710001, and OP2026710002.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Sandra Solis, Senior Director, (213) 922-6266
Joseph Forgiarini, Senior Executive Officer, (213) 418-3400
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 418-3051
Reviewed_by
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer (213) 418-3034
