LOS ANGELES (CNS) – The Los Angeles City Council green-lit a proposed five-year contract with a company to design and operate so-called Integrated Mobility Hubs.
Council members voted 12-0 to allow the Department of Transportation to execute a more than $10 million contract with Bike DBA Tranzito, which will provide various on-demand transportation options such as bike- and car-sharing services at specific locations across the cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Council members Heather Hutt, Monica Rodriguez and Nithya Raman were absent during the vote. The item was approved under consent, and did not spark further comment.
It was also previously approved unanimously by the council’s Transportation Committee on Feb. 7.
According to a report from Mayor Karen Bass’ office, the funding will be broken into two parts. About $3.5 million will cover capital costs and about $6.7 million will cover operational costs.
Once the contract is agreed upon, signed and sealed, the scope of work will consist of creating and ultimately running these Integrated Mobility Hubs, which would be located in downtown L.A. and Hollywood areas.
The contractor will operate a vehicle fleet to provide on-demand transit services to riders by providing first/last-mile connections. In total, there will be 13 hubs that will offer all or a combination of services within proximity of Metro rail stations:
— In Downtown L.A. covering Pershing Square, Pico, Grand, Seventh Street/Metro Center, Civic Center/Grand Park;
— In Hollywood covering Vermont/Santa Monica, Vermont/Sunset, Hollywood/Vine, Hollywood/Highland, and Hollywood/Western; and
— In Long Beach covering Pacific Coast Highway, Wardlow and Anaheim Street.
Part of the project also proposed the creation of 85 so-called Satellite Hubs, which would provide at least one mobility service. The exact locations and service are yet to be determined. In addition, the plan calls for a minimum of 30 bike-share kiosks in the Hollywood area.
The mayor’s report said the Integrated Mobility Hubs are anticipated to serve annual subscribers, walk-up users for one-way trips, all day passes, eligible low-income residents and urban residents needing transportation to employment.
Pricing fees will vary depending on the user.
The city will work to establish a Technical Advisory Committee, of which membership will consist of Metro, the cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach and any relevant stakeholders.
Funding for the project will come from different sources, mostly from the city of L.A., but some from Metro and the city of Long Beach.
