Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 17, 2018
Subject
SUBJECT: BUS RAPID TRANSIT VISION AND PRINCIPLES STUDY
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to:
A. AWARD AND EXECUTE a 28-month firm fixed price Contract No. PS53553000 to Sutra Research and Analytics, in the amount of $1,210,607 to complete the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Vision and Principles Study, with an optional task to analyze candidate corridors in the amount of $611,185, for a total contract amount of $1,821,792, subject to resolution of protest(s), if any; and
B. APPROVE Contract Modification Authority (CMA) specific to Contract No. PS53553000 in the amount of $273,269 to account for the complexity of the countywide effort and anticipated level of coordination.
Issue
ISSUE
The Measure M Expenditure Plan includes funding for specific BRT projects as well as $50 million in each of the first three decades and $100 million in each of the fourth and fifth decades for the Countywide BRT Program. The BRT Vision and Principles Study seeks to establish and build consensus on a clear vision, goals and objectives for the BRT system and develop guidance on the design of the BRT network. It will also facilitate the identification and prioritization of future BRT candidate corridors including a first decade “Phase I” Measure M BRT project, which has an expected opening date of FY 2022-24. Phase I is included in the Board-adopted 28 x 2028 project list. The Measure M Master Guidelines (Section XVIII) call for this study, which will be coordinated with two parallel Metro studies: the NextGen Bus Study and the update of the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). An optional task for preliminary analysis of candidate BRT corridors may be authorized at the discretion of Metro.
Board approval of this professional services contract is needed in order to proceed with the work and support the implementation of the BRT projects in the Measure M Expenditure Plan.
Background
BACKGROUND
The Measure M Expenditure Plan included previously identified specific BRT projects as well as funding for the Countywide BRT program to build additional BRT projects. In June 2017, the Board adopted the Measure M Master Guidelines, which identified a future BRT study that would establish:
• metrics for BRT system performance;
• standard design guidelines/criteria; and
• proposed sequencing or prioritization of BRT projects.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Funding
Measure M allocates $50 million in each of the first three decades and $100 million in each of the fourth and fifth decades for the Countywide BRT Program. The Measure M Expenditure Plan identifies an anticipated opening date for Phase 1 of the Countywide BRT Projects as FY 2022-24. BRT typically costs about one-tenth of the capital cost of a rail line.
Planned Outreach Efforts
Community and stakeholder engagement related to this study will provide valuable feedback and will further inform and define numerous aspects of the Countywide BRT program, including but not limited to, the overall vision, goals and objectives of the program, BRT standards, key performance indicators and the identification and prioritization of future candidate corridors. Outreach will involve public outreach meetings and extensive coordination efforts with municipal transit providers, local jurisdictions, and other stakeholders. Community engagement for this study will be closely coordinated with the NextGen Bus Study and integrated into the LRTP Update. Professional services in support of outreach will be procured from the Board-approved Communications Bench.
Consistency with Metro’s Equity Platform Framework
This study is consistent with Metro’s recently-adopted Equity Platform Framework as equity will be a guiding theme in seeking to establish a clear vision, design guidance, and implementation priorities for the BRT network. Equity will be considered and incorporated at the forefront of this effort as the BRT Vision and Principles Study will identify opportunities to solve to mobility challenges by providing a high quality transit alternative including to low-income, minority and transit-dependent communities throughout the County. Additionally, Metro staff will look to Metro’s Equity Platform Framework to inform the robust community engagement in support of this study effort.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
This action will not have any impact on the safety of our customers and/or employees because this project is in the planning phase.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The FY 2019 budget includes $1,502,516 for Professional Services in Cost Center 4220 (Long Range Transportation Plan Team 1), Project 405403 (Countywide BRT Program). Since this is a multi-year program, the Cost Center Manager and Chief Planning Officer will be responsible for budgeting in future years.
Impact to Budget
The source of funds is local Prop A, C & TDA Admin funds. These funds are not eligible for bus and/or rail operating and capital expenses.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The recommendation directly supports the implementation of the Strategic Plan by helping to create a robust BRT network as part of a world-class bus system that is reliable, convenient, and attractive to more users for more trips. Specifically, this study will support the realization of Goal #1 in the Vision 2028 Strategic Plan, which is to provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling. To facilitate the realization of this goal, the Strategic Plan identifies the conversion of strategic Metro Rapid corridors to BRT and the expansion of the BRT program along major arterials and highways throughout the county. The Strategic Plan refers to the BRT Vision and Principles Study as a resource to support the implementation of BRT corridors.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could choose not to award Contract No. PS53553000. This is not recommended as it may delay the development of BRT guidelines and standards to assist with the ongoing BRT projects and delay the Measure M groundbreaking date of FY2022-24 for the first decade Countywide BRT program project.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Contract No. PS53553000 with Sutra Research and Analytics and initiate work.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Lauren Cencic, Sr. Director, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-7417
Mark Yamarone, DEO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3452
Kalieh Honish, EO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-7109
Manjeet Ranu, SEO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3157
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Therese W. McMillan, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 922-7077
Debra Avila, Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 418-3051
