To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ELIZABETH HAUSE, WATERFRONT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR
TITLE
title
APPROVE A TRANSIT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH FOR THE OPERATION OF BEACH CITIES TRANSIT LINE 109 FOR A ONE-YEAR PERIOD, BEGINNING JULY 1, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, FOR A FEE OF $29,125
ADOPT BY 4/5THS VOTE AND TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2607-055, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING A FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 BUDGET MODIFICATION TO ALLOCATE $29,125 FROM THE CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH FOR BEACH CITIES TRANSIT LINE 109 COST SHARING TO THE CITY’S TRANSIT FUND
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Transit Services Division provides regional bus service through Beach Cities Transit (BCT) Line 109, connecting several cities from Redondo Beach to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). To support the operational costs of the line, which runs through Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and El Segundo, the City maintains agreements with each BCT Partner City. During the pandemic, COVID-19 relief funds provided sufficient supplemental funding to maintain Line 109 service without requiring contributions from the BCT Partner Cities. With those funds no longer available, cost-sharing resumed in FY 2025-26 and continues into FY 2026-27. The City of Manhattan Beach has approved a one-year funding agreement totaling $29,125. Staff recommends City Council approve the proposed Agreement with the City of Manhattan Beach to maintain Line 109 operations and adopt the associated Resolution appropriating the funding in the BCT Line 109 related Transit Fund.
BACKGROUND
The Transit Division of the Community Services Department provides a variety of transit services to the City of Redondo Beach as well as neighboring cities. BCT Line 109, the longest route within the BCT system, runs from Riviera Village to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, serving Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, and LAX. In 2006, the City of Redondo Beach executed Transit Service Operation Agreements with the BCT Partner Cities to offset the cost of operating BCT Line 109. This supplemental funding helps ensure continuity of service and supports operating expenses incurred by the transit operations contractor, fuel costs, and Real-Time Information (RTI). Subsequent agreements have been executed with the BCT Partner Cities since 2006.
The City of Redondo Beach received funding offsets from the BCT Partner Cities from the inception of Line 109 through FY 2018-19. Beginning FY 2019-20 through FY 2024-25, the City received dedicated COVID-19 relief funds that offset the funding shortfalls for Line 109 operation, allowing partner cities to receive service without cost-sharing contributions. As COVID-19 relief funding is no longer available, and operating costs have continued to increase, cost-sharing resumed in FY 2025-26 and continues in FY 2026-27.
Offset Calculation
The proposed cost-sharing amount was calculated using the historical methodology established between the agencies, based on the percentage of revenue service miles that BCT Line 109 travels through Manhattan Beach. This methodology has been used in previous agreements and ensures the City's contribution remains proportional to the level of service provided. All funding collected under this Agreement will be applied directly to Beach Cities Transit Line 109 operating expenses.
Included below is an overview of historical offset funding provided by the BCT Partner Cities. BCT will utilize Proposition A Local Return Funds to cover the remaining costs that exceed BCT Partner Cities contributions.
Cost Sharing History Chart
|
City |
Route Service Mile Allocation % |
FY2018-19 Actual |
FY2019-20 through FY2024-25 Actual |
FY2025-26 Actual |
FY2026-27 Projected |
|
Redondo Beach |
34.95% |
$20,971 |
$0 |
$55,304 |
$63,600 |
|
Hermosa Beach |
10.89% |
$6,460 |
$0 |
$17,183 |
$19,761 |
|
Manhattan Beach |
16.05% |
$9,521 |
$0 |
$25,326 |
$29,125 |
|
El Segundo |
38.11% |
$22,606 |
$0 |
$60,132 |
$69,152 |
|
Total Contribution |
100% |
$59,558 |
$0 |
$157,945 |
$181,638 |
Manhattan Beach
The City of Manhattan Beach approved the proposed Agreement to provide its proportional share of $29,125 for BCT Line 109 services, with a one-year term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
City staff continues to provide the City of Manhattan Beach with service information and collaborates on operations, promotions, and marketing efforts. Staff also coordinates the distribution of Beach Cities Transit schedules at public facilities and community locations and assists with maintaining current BCT service information on the City's website and other public communication platforms.
Staff will continue to monitor BCT Line 109 operating expenses to ensure the cost-sharing formula remains aligned with the established Agreement.
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Transit Services Agreement with the City of Manhattan Beach for $29,125 and adopt the attached Resolution appropriating these funds to the Transit Fund for Beach Cities Transit Line 109 operations.
COORDINATION
Staff from the Transit Services Division coordinated with the City of Manhattan Beach on the development of the proposed agreement, which has been approved as to form by the City Attorney's Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
Contributions from partner cities account for a small portion of the overall cost of BCT Line 109 services. The total annual cost of Line 109 is $2,449,583 and is primarily funded by transportation restricted Formula Allocation Procedure (FAP) and Proposition A Local Return funds. The funds provided by Manhattan Beach will be allocated to the applicable Transit Operations account to cover Manhattan’s proportional share of the Line 109 operating expenses.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Agmt - Transit Service Operations Agreement with the City of Manhattan Beach
• Reso - No. CC-2607-055 Authorizing a FY 2026-27 Budget Modification to Allocate $29,125 from the City of Manhattan Beach for Cost Sharing for Beach Cities Transit Line 109