Study Session - Community Bus ServiceDATE:
TO:·
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE:2/7/05
STUDY SESSION
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
January 31,2005
MAYORANDTOWNCOUNC~
DEBRAJ.FIGONE,TOWN MANAG~')Q~
PRESENTATION ON SANTA CLARA V ALLEY TRANSPORTATION
AUTHORITY COMMUNITY BUS SERVICE AND CONSIDERATION OF
MODIFICATIONS TO THE TOWN'S BUS SHELTER POLICY
RECOMMENDATION:
1.Endorse the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's proposed Community Bus
Service.
2.Provide direction to Town staff on the Town's bus shelter policy.
BACKGROUND:
In September 2004,Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)staff gave a presentation
to the Town Council regarding a proposal for a Community Bus Service (CBS).The presentation
provided Council Members with a "big picture"overview of CBS and how the program could
potentially operate in Los Gatos.The Town Council directed Los Gatos staff to work with VTA
to refine the CBS proposal to meet the transportation needs of Los Gatos residents and
businesses.
DISCUSSION
Community Bus Service:
Los Gatos and VTA staffs held several strategic planning meetings to identify which elements of
CBS would work specifically for Los Gatos.Based on the transportation needs and
recommendations identified by Los Gatos staff,VTA has developed a preferred service
alternative.The service alternative incorporates the community needs of Los Gatos and is
consistent with VTA's overall service plan.The CBS will modify VTA's existing bus routes that
operate within the Town and will replace the traditional larger buses that travel through
Da~
PREPARED BY:BUDN.L~TW
DIRECTOR OF COMMlJJ'W'Y DEVELOPMENT
Reviewed by:~Assistant Town Manager =ct!ZAttorney __Clerk Finance
_V_Community Development Revised:2/2105 3:04 pm
Refonnatted:5/30/02
PAGE 2
MAYORANDTOWNCOUNC~
SUBJECT:COMMUNITY BUS SERVICE
January 31,2005
Downtown with smaller,van-like buses.The CBS will circulate through Town and will connect
to the terminus of the Vasona Light Rail line in Campbell.
The VTA's presentation (see Attachment 1)outlines the preferred service alternative and
identifies the next steps for implementation.If the Town Council endorses the service alternative,
Town staff and VTA will conduct outreach to the community and other stakeholders for input,as
well as the VTA Board of Directors.Concurrently VTA will develop a marketing plan to support
the service.VTA's goal is that the start of the CBS will coincide with the start of service on the
Vasona Light Rail extension.
Bus Shelter Policy:
Currently,the Town maintains the VTA bus shelters within Los Gatos.The Town took over the
responsibility to maintain the bus shelters when the Council decided not to permit VTA to sell
advertising on the shelters.VTA sells advertising space on its shelters throughout the County to
pay for maintenance unless the local jurisdiction agrees to be responsible for maintenance.
Given the Town's budget constraints,maintenance of the bus shelters has been deferred.
Consequently,staff would like Council to indicate if reconsideration of the existing policy is
warranted.If so,staff will schedule this issue for a future Council meeting and staff will prepare
a report providing detailed information including current maintenance costs and the types of
advertising permitted by VTA.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Is not a project defined under CEQA,and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:None
Attachments:
1.VTA Presentation on Community Bus System
Distribution:
Mike Aro,VTA,3331 North First Street,San Jose,CA 95134-1906
Matthew Tucker,VTA,3331 North First Street,San Jose,CA 95134-1906
N:\DEV\RANDY\Town Council\COMMUNITY BUS SYSTEM\CBS TC REPORT 020705.wpd
Program Update
Matthew o.Tucker,ChiefOp,eratin~'Officer
Mip~~,~1 JR.If\~9,Deputy DIrector
~H :«];':;-::'(1::,;"mY
----1--__________________--------.---~--_..~-----_
Program Update
•Met with Town Council in S~ptember
2004 to present CommunityB.us
concept.Received direction to take next
steps to formulate options.
•Conducted two strategic planning
meetings to formulate a plan for public
review and comment.
•Developeqp Rret~rred service
alternative".::!
Factors in Developing Preferred
Service Alternative
i:~....,
•Community demographics
•Land use
•Improve connectivity to major arterial &
other transit hubs
•Accommodate community needs &
expectations
•Implement~tJon schedule
-'-;~
Communii:ty Demographics
•High household income
•High auto ownership
•Low transit ridership
•Dispersed travel patterns from many
origins to many destinations
Land Use:
•Primarily low/medium-density single
family residential
•Commercial and retail development
concentrated along Winchester/Santa
Cruz Blvd.,Los Gatos Blvd.and
.,
Downtown
•Downtown is a destination for both
residents aJ1d'no,ni -residents
~I'~._
Improve Connectivity
•Vasona Light Rail extension,
•Provide connections to major transit lines
and hubs (Lines 27,38,60,62 and 76)
•Provide connections to major
destinations and trip generators in Los
Gatos (schools,hospitals,retail,
eo mme rei ~I!~!(;!)li cJ
Accommqdate Community Needs &,..
Expectations
•Customize transit service to
accommodate community needs
•Use smaller vehicles
•Match travel patterns of community-
oriented activity (school,retail,medical,
recreational,etc.)
•Brand seryipec'Q,n,sistent with community
values and lmaging
Service A;lternative Objectives
•Provide direct service to both Vasona
Light Rail and Downtown Los Gatos
along Winchester and Los Gatos
Boulevards.
•Maintain transit service coverage,
access,and mobility.
•Remove bus layovers and large buses
from Downtow1n'core.".'\.."."......,:,.,.;,....
.1'·::::;"~(:1'~."I '-,;
I
Current Los Gatos Route Network
,
!
I
!
~
),
----------_.-----_.-----------_._--------_.
",
"I
New Los Gatos Shuttles
Modified Route Network
Implemen:tation
•Town Council Endorsement of Plan
•Hold Community Meetings
•Present to VT A Board/Committees
•Marketing/Promotion
•Implement Plan to Coincide with
Opening of Vasona Light Rail Extension
1,1
Next SteptS
•Branding and Imaging
•Vehicle Acquisition
•Community/Public Participation
Process
•Finalization of Sobrato Agreement
•Retail/Commercial Sponsorship
•Joint Tow,nlVTA Promotion and
Marketin;g';'F?lan ·
-~~-~~-~---~~------~---~------------
Vehicle Design Concept
I'
Vehicle Design Concept
I
Vehicle Design Concept
~II
IS~=RI IPOIISOR NUE
II
Vehicle Design Concept
__-----l.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~__~~~~_
Sample R:oute Map
LOS GATOS NEW ROUTES
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S Winchester
LightR"i/
Station
filt
U
1,-i~
•Civic Center
...
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Sample B,:us Stop Sign
Sample B:us Stop with Shelter
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