The City Council this week formally and unanimously accepted grant funds for a pilot microtransit project.
This was originally a Consent Calendar item but was pulled for separate consideration.
The $162,891 grant money came from the South Coast Air Quality Management District for Seal Beach Microtransit Service Pilot program, according to the staff report by Public Works Director Iris Lee. The AQMD funded the project to reduce air pollution from cars.
“The City’s Main Street corridor and Seal Beach Pier have historically been a visitor and resident attractor, where access is primarily provided by car and conventional fixed-route transit,” Lee wrote.
“The Program proposes to partner with an experienced microtransit vendor to operate electric vehicles in the Old Town and The Hill neighborhood through the use of a mobile ride request application. This on-demand program would provide virtual stops to improve efficiency, and effectively circulate riders to reduce impacts to the roadway and parking,” Lee wrote.
According to Lee’s report, the pilot program would last 12 months and be completed by April 2025. The program would serve Old Town and The Hill. One Americans with Disabilities Act vehicle would be available at all times.
The city would have to provide matching funds of at least $162,982.
“Upon approval and full agreement execution, staff will initiate transit service provider coordination and outreach,” Lee wrote.
