Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
MARCH 19, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: METRO BIKE SHARE
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to:
A. EXECUTE Modification No. 21 to Contract No. PS272680011357 with Bicycle Transit Systems, Inc. (BTS) to exercise up to six, one-month options, each separately as needed from June 1, 2026, to November 30, 2026, 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 $131,155,423 to $137,661,378; and
B. EXECUTE individual contract modifications 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 executed. The current MBS contract with BTS expires May 31, 2026, and this extension is needed to ensure uninterrupted service until the award of the new multi-year contract, which is currently an active procurement.
Background
BACKGROUND
MBS launched in July 2016 in partnership with the City of Los Angeles. It services Los Angeles County residents with 225 stations located in the Downtown Los Angeles, Central Los Angeles, Hollywood, Westside, and North Hollywood areas. To date, over 3.0 million trips have been taken, 10.6 million miles have been traveled, and 10.0 million pounds of CO2 have been averted.
The program continues to provide service to the Los Angeles community. More than 430,000 rides were recorded in 2025. Of these, more than 145,000 trips (or 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. During 2025, the program expanded to the South Los Angeles community by installing five (5) stations along the Rail-to-Rail project at Denker & Slauson, Vermont & Slauson, Figueroa & Slauson, Avalon & Slauson, and Compton & Slauson. Activity at stations continues to increase, with 10% growth seen between November 2025 and December 2025. In addition, as of December 2025, the ridership at the Vermont & Slauson station was within the top 25%.
The MBS motion passed by the Board in December 2021 also directed staff to take a series of actions focused on stabilizing the current program and preparing for the next iteration of bike share in Los Angeles County.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Based on the Board-approved model, a procurement to secure a new MBS contract is currently underway and subject to communications blackout. Staff is requesting an extension of the current contract to allow for the completion of the procurement, award of the new contract, and the transition of services to the newly awarded contract. It is anticipated to take up to four months from the Notice to Proceed (NTP) to complete the transition of operations to the new contract. The current contract expires May 31, 2026, and if the Board approves the extension, the contract will end, if all six option months are executed, on November 30, 2026. Based upon current conditions, an extension of the current contract with BTS is needed to ensure uninterrupted MBS service. Execution of the extension will be dependent upon issuance of the NTP and the implementation of the approved transition schedule. Execution of any extensions will be managed to ensure a seamless transition while minimizing costs associated with dual operations.
Per the MOU with the City of Los Angeles, the City will provide 65% of the funds in support of the ongoing operation and maintenance of MBS. Staff has reviewed this item with the City of Los Angeles and has received their concurrence to proceed with the extension.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Metro’s safety standards will be improved through the approval of this recommendation by ensuring the continued operation of a safe and secure bike share program.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding in the amount of $26,071,011 is included in FY26, and funding is allocated in the FY27 proposed budget under Cost Center 4540 - TDM Policy & Regional Shared Mobility, Account 50316 - Professional Services, Project 308010 - Bikeshare Program Operating & Maintenance.
Impact to Budget
The funding sources for this expense consist of the City of Los Angeles subsidy, advertising/sponsorship, system user fees, and general funds. The general fund is eligible for bus and rail operating projects and capital projects.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
The approval of this contract modification and extension will ensure Metro’s ability to continue to operate and maintain a regional bike share program that is accessible to Los Angeles County residents. This contract extension will allow Metro to continue to provide current service to those who live and work within Equity Focus Communities (EFCs) in Downtown/Central Los Angeles, Westside, and North Hollywood. Currently, 47% of MBS stations are located in EFCs, and 40% 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 compared to 2024, when males represented 61% of respondents. Similarly, Caucasians represent the largest group of survey respondents in 2025 at 35%, but this is lower compared to 2024 when they represented 44% of respondents. Respondents younger than 50 years also decreased from 79% in 2024 to 75% in 2025.
Bicycle Transit Systems, Inc. (BTS) made a 22.37% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) commitment on this contract. However, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that makes changes to the DBE Program, including the suspension of goals, counting participation, and enforcement effective October 3, 2025. While the DBE commitment is not a factor in the staff recommendation, there are two certified small businesses 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.
With the extension of this contract, avoided or reduced VMT would be expected to continue as it has for the duration of the program to date. Future changes or expansions to the MBS program could result in changes to the anticipated VMT reduction effects of this program; that information will be provided in subsequent Board reports.
*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 this would not support the Board motion, 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 May 31, 2026.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Modification No. 21 to Contract No. PS272680011357 with BTS to exercise up to six, one-month options, each separately, as needed from June 1, 2026, through November 30, 2026, to continue MBS program services.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Board Motion 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
Shahrzad Amiri, Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Shared Mobility, (213) 922-3061
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by:
Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034
