The City Council on Feb. 26 approved a contract with Circuit Transit, Inc. for a pilot transportation program. The contract was for $18,205 a month, with a maximum of $325,783 for an on-demand transit service. At the same time, the council authorized the city manager to approve additional work requests up to $20,000. The council also authorized a budget amendment of $162,891 with money from the In-Lieu Parking fund.
This was a Consent Calendar item. The council approves Consent Calendar items collectively, without discussion, unless individual items are removed for a separate vote.
“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,” according to the staff report by Public Works Director Iris Lee.
The city applied for a grant from Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee for the Seal Beach Microtransit Service Pilot Program, according to Lee’s report.
“The Program proposes to partner with Circuit Transit, Inc. (“Circuit”) 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.
The Air Quality Management District approved the funding for the program on June 2, 2023, according to Lee. The program will operate for 12 months, starting in April, according to Lee’s report. The city will put up matching funds of $162,892, according to Lee’s report.
“Parking in-Lieu fees are collected as development occurs along the Main Street area. Fees are used to create additional parking opportunities. Staff has identified the unassigned Parking-in Lieu funds as an appropriate funding source for the Project’s matching funds,” Lee wrote.
The AQMD will reimburse Seal Beach for the grant amount, according to her report.
