Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
JULY 16, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: METRO BIKE SHARE CONTRACT MODIFICATION
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to:
A. EXECUTE Modification No. 24 to Contract No. PS272680011357 with Bicycle Transit Systems, Inc. (BTS) to exercise up to six, one-month options, each separately as needed from December 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027, to continue Metro Bike Share (MBS) program services in the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $6,505,955, increasing the total contract value from $137,661,378 to $144,167,333; and
B. EXECUTE individual contract modifications for Contract No. PS272680011357 within the Board-approved contract modification authority.
Issue
ISSUE
The Board approved Motion Item No. 41 by Directors Krekorian, Garcetti, Kuehl and Sandoval at its December 2021 meeting (Attachment A). Directive C of the motion requires that staff ensure uninterrupted bike-share service as the next iteration of the MBS program is determined and implemented. The current MBS contract with BTS expires on November 30, 2026, and this extension is needed to ensure uninterrupted service while the procurement is underway.
Background
BACKGROUND
MBS launched in July 2016 in partnership with the City of Los Angeles. It serves Los Angeles County residents with 225 stations located in Downtown Los Angeles, Central Los Angeles, Hollywood, Westside, and North Hollywood. In 2025, over 430,000 trips were taken, representing 1.5 million miles traveled, and 1.5 million pounds of CO2 averted.
The program continues to provide service to the Los Angeles community. Of the trips taken in 2025, more than 145,000 trips (33%) were taken by users with reduced-fare 30-Day and 365-Day passes. Reduced fare passes are offered to low-income individuals through EBT verification, and Metro’s Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) program. They are also offered to seniors (62 years and over), students (16 years and over), and individuals with disabilities. In May 2026, three MBS stations were relocated and installed at the new Metro D Line Stations - Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Based on the Board-approved model, the award of a new MBS contract is currently underway and subject to a communications blackout. The new MBS contract requires the replacement of all existing bike share equipment (bikes, docks, stations) and systems (website, mobile app, back-end operational, administrative, and customer service).
Extension of the current contract is needed to ensure continued MBS operations until completion of the equipment and systems replacement/transition of services to the new contract. The new contract Scope of Service (SOS) provides up to six months from the Notice to Proceed (NTP) to complete the transition of operations. The current contract expires on November 30, 2026, leaving no time or authority to extend it and ensure continued MBS operations in the event of any delays in executing the new contract and/or issuing the NTP. The recommendation to allow up to 6 one-month extensions provides a mechanism to address any delays associated with the equipment and system replacement and the operational transition, and to ensure uninterrupted service to the public. The exercise of any current contract extension will depend upon the issuance of the NTP and the implementation of the approved transition schedule. Any exercise of extensions will be managed to ensure a seamless transition while minimizing costs associated with dual operations.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Metro’s safety standards will be improved by approving this recommendation, ensuring the continued operation of a safe and secure bike share program.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $6,505,955 is included in the FY27 budget under cost center 4540 - TDM Policy & Regional Shared Mobility, and project 308010 - Bike Share Program O&M. Under the existing cost-sharing partnership with the City of Los Angeles, operating costs are allocated on a 35% Metro-65% City split. The City of Los Angeles is aware of the costs, provisions, and requirements of this contract and has provided their concurrence to proceed with the award of this contract.
Impact to Budget
Funding for MBS consists of City of Los Angeles subsidy, fares, and other bus and rail operating-eligible funds.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The approval of this contract modification and extension will ensure Metro’s ability to continue operating and maintaining a regional bike share program accessible to Los Angeles County residents. This contract extension will allow Metro to continue providing current service to those who live and work in Equity Focus Communities (EFCs) in Downtown Los Angeles, Central Los Angeles, the Westside, and North Hollywood. Currently, 48% of MBS stations are located in EFCs, and 41% of all trips are initiated from these stations. In addition, maintaining low bike share fares and ensuring that participants of the LIFE and Reduced Fare programs continue to have uninterrupted access to service with continued discounted fare media are critical components of this program. As mentioned, 33% of all rides are taken by passholders with 30-Day and 365-Day Reduced Fare passes.
As part of the annual survey conducted by MBS, demographic data is collected. In 2025, trends from previous surveys were consistent. However, certain changes were observed. For example, although 55% of respondents were male, this was lower than in 2024, when males represented 61% of respondents. Similarly, Caucasians represent the largest group of survey respondents in 2025 at 35%, down from 44% in 2024. Respondents younger than 50 years also decreased from 79% in 2024 to 75% in 2025.
The DBE commitment is not a factor in the staff recommendation, but two certified small businesses are participating in this contract.
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. Metro conducted a preliminary analysis to show that the net effect of this item is to decrease VMT through operational activities that will improve and further encourage transit ridership, ridesharing, and active transportation. To date, more than 10.0 million miles have been traveled by MBS users, which represents a minimum reduction of approximately 2.4 million Vehicle Miles Traveled since the 2025 MBS survey results show that approximately 24% of users would have driven their personal vehicles or used a taxi or equivalent vehicle to complete their travel if not for Metro Bike Share.
* 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
MBS program supports the following Vision 2028 Strategic Plan Goals:
1. Provide a high-quality mobility option that enables people to spend less time traveling.
2. Deliver an outstanding trip experience for all users of the transportation system.
3. Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity.
4. Transform LA County through regional collaboration and national leadership.
5. Provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the organization.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to authorize the requested action. This alternative is not recommended, as it would not support the Board motion and would impact the stability of the program and Metro’s ability to provide uninterrupted MBS service. If the current contract is not extended, Metro Bike Share operations will end on November 30, 2026.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Modification No. 24 to Contract No. PS272680011357 with BTS to exercise up to six, one-month options, each separately, as needed, from December 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027, to continue MBS program services.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Board Motion Item No. 41
Attachment B - Procurement Summary
Attachment C - Contract Modification/Change Order Log
Attachment D - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Paula Carvajal-Paez, Deputy Executive Officer, Shared Mobility, (213) 922-4258
Ken Coleman, Executive Officer, Shared Mobility, (213) 922-2951
Steven Gota, Deputy Chief Operations Officer (Interim) - Shared Mobility, (213) 922-3043
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034
