Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 19, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: E-PAPER BUS STOP ELECTRONIC DISPLAY - SOUTHEAST LOS ANGELES
Action
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to award a two-year, firm fixed unit rate contract, Contract No. OP133093000 to BikeHub (dba Tranzito), to furnish, install, and maintain 100 E-Paper Bus Stop Electronic Displays in Southeast Los Angeles in the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of $611,230, subject to the resolution of any properly submitted protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
Metro seeks to enhance real-time passenger information and accessibility at key bus stops in Southeast Los Angeles through the installation of solar-powered E-Paper displays, complementing the installation of new shelters at 100 bus stops. These displays will show real-time arrival information for Metro and municipal operators, improving customer communication, accessibility, and safety across one of Metro’s most transit-dependent service areas. This contract provides for the design, fabrication, installation, integration, and maintenance of 100 E-Paper displays mounted on existing and new bus stop poles.
Background
BACKGROUND
Metro’s current network of bus stops lacks real-time digital information, limiting rider awareness of actual bus arrivals and service alerts. With increasing ridership demand and upcoming major regional events, Metro has prioritized investments in technology that deliver reliable, equitable, and accessible rider information. In 2023, Metro secured a California Local Partnerships Program grant using the East Los Angeles to Long Beach Corridor Improvement Plan (CIP) as matching funds, that supports the following transit improvements within the CIP project area:
• 10 new electric bus chargers at rail stations
• Cloud-based Transit Signal Priority implementation
• 100 new bus shelters with real-time E-Paper displays
• 100 new lighting installations at bus stops that did not receive shelters
The locations for the bus shelters have been identified in partnership with local jurisdictions, who procure and install the shelters, but most have requested that Metro procure and install the E-Paper displays.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
A competitive Request for Proposals (RFP No. OP133093) was issued in July 2025. BikeHub (dba Tranzito) was selected as the highest-rated responsive and responsible proposer. The firm demonstrated strong technical qualifications and experience through previous work with the City of Los Angeles’ STAP (Street Transit Amenities Program) and other real-time E-Paper display deployments in the region.
The procurement and installation of approximately 100 single-sided, 13-inch solar-powered E-Paper displays is part of an effort to improve bus stop facilities throughout Southeast Los Angeles cities. These units will complement 100 new shelters being installed across this section of Los Angeles County.
These real-time information units will be integrated with Metro’s Swiftly real-time information system to display bus arrivals from Metro and participating municipal operator services throughout the Southeast Los Angeles cities.
• Remote management of these units is available via a secure content management system (CurbOS) and GDS Device Management System to allow Metro to update service alerts and messages, further enhancing the information available at these bus stops.
• ADA accessibility features are included with these real-time information units, including push-to-talk audio announcements, braille location plates, and high-contrast display modes.
• The units are vandal-resistant and have weatherproof enclosures. Maintenance and monitoring for one-year post-installation, with a 72-hour response time for repairs, are included in the purchase cost, and subsequent years of service will be budgeted in Metro’s operating budget.
• Cybersecurity features are included in the units however, staff will also work with the proposed contractor on a vendor risk assessment to ensure IT security controls meet federal, state, and local compliance requirements
BikeHub (dba Tranzito) will partner with Global Display Solutions (GDS) for display fabrication and ShelterClean for field installation and maintenance. Installation will begin at high-ridership bus stops in Southeast Los Angeles, where data connectivity and solar exposure support immediate deployment. Metro will continue to seek additional grant opportunities to expand the E-Paper footprint across the county beyond the South Los Angeles area.
The E-Paper implementation will include the most current IT cybersecurity threat profile in order to ensure data integrity and compliance.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The E-Paper Display project enhances public safety and system reliability by enabling real-time communication of emergency alerts, detours, and service disruptions directly at the stop. The inclusion of audible push-to-talk features improves accessibility for visually impaired passengers, while consistent and timely updates reduce crowding and confusion during incidents.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding for this project is available in the FY26 Budget, Project No. 496008, task 04.LPP22SB1.002, Cost Center 3151. Since this is a multiyear project, the Project Manager is responsible for the budget in future years. Ongoing operations, maintenance, and data service costs will be incorporated into future fiscal year operating budgets.
Impact to Budget
Funding sources for the request include 50% Local Partnership Competitive Program (LPP-C) grant funds and 50% Long Beach - East Los Angeles Capital Mobility Improvement Program (LB-ELA CMIP).
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This project directly supports Metro’s commitment to equity by focusing on Southeast Los Angeles, an area with some of the highest bus ridership and limited access to real-time service information. The EPaper displays deliver multilingual visual and audible messaging, improving accessibility for non-English speaking riders and those with visual impairments. Across these cities, 60-90% of residents identify as Hispanic, and Spanish is the predominant language in more than 80% of households. Approximately 9% of households do not have access to a vehicle, underscoring the importance of reliable, real-time transit information.
In addition, shelters are being procured and installed by the local jurisdictions of Bell Gardens, Huntington Park, Maywood, South Gate, Vernon, Florence-Graham CDP, and Walnut Park CDP, in partnership with Metro, ensuring they meet the needs of each community. Metro is procuring, installing, and maintaining real-time information signs at the request of many of the jurisdictions we are partnering with, as they do not have the resources to complete this required component themselves. This solicitation was subject to the Small Business Set-Aside program and open to certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE) firms only. BikeHub dba Tranzito, an SB Prime, made a 31.41% SBE commitment and listed two non-certified subcontractors to perform on 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. This item supports Metro’s systemwide strategy to reduce VMT through operational equipment purchase activities that will maintain, improve, as well as 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.
*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
This action supports Strategic Goal 2 - Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all transportation system users and advances Metro Vision 2028 by improving rider information, reliability, and accessibility.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Alternatives such as continuing to rely on printed signage or smartphone-only applications were considered. These options fail to meet ADA requirements, exclude riders without smartphone access, and do not support real-time operational updates at the stop level.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Contract OP133093000 with BikeHub (DBA Tranzito) and proceed with site review for the e-Paper installations.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Wid Sogata, Principal Software Engineer, Operations, (213) 922-1233
Al Martinez, Executive Officer, Operations, (213) 276-0117
Lisa Wymer, Executive Officer, Information Technology, (213) 922-2226
Debra Avila, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, (213) 418-3051
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operations Officer, (213) 418-3034
Arnold Hackett, Senior Advisor to CEO, (213) 922-5409
