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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-08 - AGENDA REPORTS - SHUTTLE PILOT PGMO Agenda Item: 1 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT NEW BUSINESS CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: Li ' DATE: July 8, 2025 SUBJECT: SUMMER SHUTTLE SERVICE PILOT PROGRAM DEPARTMENT: Economic Development PRESENTER: Adrian Aguilar RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council review and discuss the proposed Summer Shuttle Service Pilot Program in Old Town Newhall and provide direction to staff. BACKGROUND At the regular City Council meeting on June 10, 2025, City of Santa Clarita (City) staff was directed to assess the feasibility of a Summer Shuttle Service Pilot Program (Pilot Program) to provide transportation from the City's peripheral parking areas in Old Town Newhall to businesses along Main Street. The goal of the proposed Pilot Program is to address limited parking availability during the summer season and reduce walking distances from parking areas to business fronts. This item outlines a proposed Pilot Program that aligns with the scope of services in the City's existing transit operating agreement with MV Transit. The proposed Pilot Program includes the operation of two small 10-passenger shuttle buses, similar to those used for the City's Dial -A -Ride service, running every ten minutes from the Old Town Newhall parking structure, the Newhall Community Center, and the parking lot on the south end of Main Street to various locations along Main Street. The service would operate Friday and Saturday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and on Sundays from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., beginning July 11, 2025, and concluding on August 31, 2025. While the proposed Pilot Program is expected to alleviate parking constraints during hours of operation, the shuttle service may contribute to traffic and street parking disruptions when the vehicle stops to pick up and drop off passengers. To enhance safety and minimize congestion, most shuttle stops would be located on adjacent streets, such as 9th Street, Market Street, and 6th Street, within proximity to Main Street, as shown in the attached Shuttle Map. If approved, City staff will implement measures to minimize traffic and parking disruptions. Page 1 Packet Pg. 9 O On June 18, 2025, City staff attended the Old Town Newhall Association (OTNA) Community Meeting to present the proposed service and discuss a 50-percent cost -sharing agreement. Feedback on the proposed Pilot Program was mixed. While some OTNA members showed support for the concept, others felt a shuttle was unnecessary and preferred that visitors walk along Main Street to increase awareness of the businesses in the area and stimulate sales. Although OTNA indicated they are unable to provide direct funding toward the service, they agreed to coordinate outreach to their members and local businesses to solicit voluntary contributions. The estimated cost to operate the proposed Pilot Program through August 31, 2025, is approximately $25,000. As of Friday, June 27, City staff was informed that, through the outreach efforts made by OTNA and contributions made by other businesses in Old Town Newhall, $5,500 has been raised to support the Summer Shuttle Service Pilot Program. City staff will continue to work with OTNA and local stakeholders to secure additional funding commitments and implement the Pilot Program as planned, should City Council approve moving forward. ALTERNATIVE ACTION Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT If City Council approves the implementation of the Summer Shuttle Service Pilot Program, a total of $25,000 will be transferred from the City Council contingency account 1009300-701001 (General Fund) to the Economic Development Administration contractual services account 1001010-516101 (General Fund). ATTACHMENTS Proposed Route - OTN Shuttle Map Page 2 Packet Pg. 10 (IIBLImON umol pl0 ul al;;nyS jewwnS) dew al;;n4S NIO - a;noa pasodoad :;uauayDBPV r UP RT a z E2 m �y .4Q T I IT " eflg