Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
JANUARY 15, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: CARTOGRAPHY SERVICES
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to execute Modification No. 2 to Contract No. PS82879000 with DCR Design, LLC for map design services in the amount of $600,000, increasing the not-to-exceed contract amount from $550,000 to $1,150,000, and extending the period of performance from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2029.
Issue
ISSUE
The current Contract No. PS82879000 expires on March 31, 2026. Funding is projected to be exhausted by February 2026 due to higher-than-anticipated map design projects to support key Operations and Customer Experience initiatives. Critical projects have included the development of map products to support various bus and rail service changes, rail station openings, as well as special map products to support mega events like the 2024 and 2025 World Series parades, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Background
BACKGROUND
Metro has contracted with DCR Design, LLC (DCR Design) since 2018 to develop new and update existing map products to support bus and rail service changes, station openings and various special projects.
In 2022, Metro awarded a three-year base contract with DCR Design in the amount of $450,000 to provide map information and cartographic services. Recently, the need for map design services has increased to include:
• Updating of existing customer information maps to support various bus and rail service changes and station openings;
• Creating custom basemaps for various customer information projects, working to maintain consistency in all Metro map products, including customizing designs and code, and using Metro standard typefaces, colors, etc.;
• Conceptualizing and suggesting innovative ways to evolve maps and other cartographic products to enhance Metro’s customer experience; and
• Advising on and implementing updates to new and existing map products in preparation for major special events in Los Angeles County, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Extending the current contract ensures continued map design support for upcoming bus and rail service changes, station openings and mega events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
DCR Design creates, maintains and updates various core and specialty map products that help enhance the customer experience. Map products include, but are not limited to, the following:
Core Maps:
• Bus and Rail System Map - features the entire Metro bus and rail system and is updated at least twice a year during bus service changes
• Rail and Busway Map - features the rail and busway system and is updated whenever there’s a rail service change or new station opening
• Connections Maps (various) - feature bus connections near rail stations and transit hubs
• Local Area Maps (various) - five-minute walking maps, displayed on our digital customer information panels (CIPs)
Metro’s core maps provide essential customer information to riders and are made available on metro.net and on the bus and rail system in the following forms:
• Rail station platforms (map cases)
• Bus bays/transit hubs (map cases)
• Rail cars (rail posters)
• Digital customer information panels (CIPs)
• Printed brochures
Specialty Maps:
• November 2023 Emergency Closure Map (I-10 FWY)
• 2024 and 2025 Dodgers Victory Parade Map
• Metro System Growth Map (1984 - 2028) - Developed to support the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games
• Cultural Hub Map - Currently in development to support the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games
• Ad Hoc Mapping Tool - To meet Metro’s growing need for timely and customized map products, DCR is developing an Ad Hoc Mapping Tool that allows internal users to create maps for short-term projects or communication needs. The tool will ensure all maps follow Metro’s established design and mapping standards using approved data layers, such as routes, stations and service areas.
Historically, Metro has utilized the services of DCR Design for planned bus and rail service changes and station openings. However, a few unanticipated specialty map projects, including the 2024 and 2025 Dodgers victory parade maps, the Metro System Growth Map, and the Cultural Hub Map, exhausted available funds faster than anticipated.
The execution of this contract modification will ensure continued design support across the following areas:
• Rider Information and System Maps: Essential updates to core rider map products and customer information systems will continue, ensuring that information across the system is always up-to-date.
• Major Event Support: Future necessary updates to critical specialty products, specifically the Metro System Growth Map and the Cultural Hub Map - which are vital to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 2027 SuperBowl, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games - will be completed.
• Design integrity and quality control: Design continuity, standards and cohesive visual systems established over the years of collaboration with DCR will continue, ensuring quality, accuracy, and uniformity across Metro’s map products.
This modification ensures continued map design support for upcoming bus and rail service changes, station openings and mega events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. DCR Design has nearly eight years of institutional knowledge and data as Metro’s cartography design vendor. It also has experience providing map design services for mega events, including the 2012 London Olympics. This experience will be essential as Metro continues planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Without continued map design support, Metro will not be able to update core maps during bus and rail system changes and station openings. This would compromise Metro’s ability to deliver accurate and reliable information to riders, stakeholders and the public.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The FY26 Budget includes $120,000 for this contract modification in Cost Center 7140, Marketing, under Project # 306005, Public Affairs.
Since this is a multi-year contract, the Executive Officer, Marketing, the Deputy Chief, Customer Experience and the Chief Customer Experience Officer will be accountable for budgeting the cost in future years.
Impact to Budget
The sources of funding are operating eligible federal, state and local funding resources, which could be used for eligible bus and rail operating and capital expenses.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
Extending the current map design contract will allow Metro to keep maps updated systemwide, ensuring equitable access to transit information and resources. These maps are especially vital for low-income, minority and non-English-speaking populations, serving as key rider tools and travel information at bus and rail station platforms.
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 customer experience activities that will improve and further encourage transit ridership, ridesharing and active transportation. Updated and accurate maps are critical public resources, providing riders with tools to navigate to their destination. Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets were designed to build on the success of existing investments, and this item aligns with those objectives.
*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
Approving this contract modification aligns with Metro’s strategic goals by ensuring that riders have access to updated and accurate maps on metro.net and on the bus and rail system.
1. Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling.
Maps are essential tool for riders to efficiently plan their journeys. DCR Design’s continued support guarantees that our map products are always reliable and current, helping riders successfully navigate our system and spend less time traveling.
2. Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system.
Accurate and reliable maps enhance the overall rider experience by offering a seamless trip planning experience. DCR Design’s continued support guarantees that our riders can access the information they need for a smooth and informed journey.
3. Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity.
Accurate and reliable maps are a gateway to mobility and opportunity for communities throughout Los Angeles. DCR Design’s efforts ensure that maps remain accessible to all riders, including low-income and minority communities.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may elect not to approve the recommendation. This option is not recommended as Metro faces potential disruptions with the ability to update core map products and a decline in the customer experience. Metro does not have the internal resources and expertise required to work with Geographic Information System (GIS) data to update core map products. As a result, map products would be inaccurate and unreliable during bus and rail service changes and station openings, which would jeopardize the rider experience and Metro’s public-facing presence.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Modification No. 2 to Contract No. PS82879000 with DCR Design, LLC, to continue to provide map design services through March 31, 2029.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - Contract Modification/Change Order Log
Attachment C - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Jesse Almeda, Senior Manager, Marketing (213) 922-5664
Bernadette Mindiola, Deputy Executive Officer, Marketing (213) 922-5646
Monica Bouldin, Deputy Chief, Customer Experience, (213) 922-4081
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Jennifer Vides, Chief Customer Experience Officer, (213) 922-0460
