Title
Report regarding a resolution amending an existing Shuttle Services Agreement with Parking Company of America, LLC (PCAM) by $2,515,400, for a total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $4,887,705, for the operations of the Free South City Shuttle Program. (Marissa Garren, Public Works Management Analyst II)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution amending an existing Shuttle Services Agreement with Parking Company of America, LLC (PCAM) by $2,515,400, for a Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $4,887,705, for the Operation of the Free South City Shuttle Program.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The South City Shuttle has been in operation since November 2014, funded by six rounds of San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) Shuttle Program funds. Staff have applied for the TA Shuttle Program funds for South City Shuttle operations in February of 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2025; all six applications were successful.
In September 2022, staff issued a request for proposals (RFP) to shuttle transportation companies providing shuttle operations services. Provisions for an option to extend the agreement for an additional two (2) two-year terms contingent on funding availability were included in the RFP. The agreement was awarded by City Council to Parking Company of America, LLC (PCAM) in December 2022 and was valid from July 1, 2023, until June 30, 2025. In 2025, the agreement with PCAM was extended for one (1) two-year period until June 30, 2027.
On January 13, 2025, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) in partnership with the City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG) issued a call for projects for a two-year cycle for the San Mateo County Shuttle Program. On February 26, 2025, the City Council passed Resolutions 30-2025 which supported the City’s application to fund shuttle program operations. On June 5, 2025, the TA Board approved the City’s applications for continued operations of the South City Shuttle in the amount of $2,585,400. Measure A or C/CAG congestion relief funds cover 75 percent of the project costs ($1,939,050) and the City’s match funds 25 percent ($646,350) of operation costs.
Shuttle Operations
The South City Shuttle is a free community service operating Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 7:10 a.m. to approximately 7:30 p.m. The shuttle provides 18 daily trips on the East (Blue and Green) routes-clockwise and counterclockwise-and 10 daily trips on the West (Orange) route. The South City Shuttle East routes begin and end at the South San Francisco BART station and provide its passengers access to various areas including Hillside Boulevard, Linden Avenue, downtown South San Francisco, Orange Memorial Park, the Library Park and Recreation Center, Rotary Plaza (Alida Way), and Kaiser Medical Center. The South City Shuttle West route also begins and ends at the South San Francisco BART Station and provides connections to the East routes via El Camino Real and BART, offering free shuttle service to additional neighborhoods in the western region of South San Francisco including Westborough, Avalon, Buri Buri, Serra Highlands, Winston Manor, Treasure Island RV Park, plus Veterans Village in Colma. All routes also include transportation connections to SamTrans, Caltrain, and BART.
The South City Shuttle program has been a continued success since its start in 2014. The TA and C/CAG funding account for 75% of the operation expenses of all three shuttles, with a 25% match from local Measure A funds. The total project cost for continued shuttle operations during Fiscal Years 2025-26 and 2026-27 is $2,585,400, with 75% funded through TA/C/CAG and 25% from local Measure A funds. Ridership on the Free South City Shuttle remains strong, with over 80,000 annual boardings in the last year. The program continues to support first- and last-mile connections, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance mobility for seniors, youth, and residents with limited transportation options.
FISCAL IMPACT
The South City Shuttle is funded through the San Mateo County Transportation Authority Measure A Shuttle Program funds and South San Francisco local Measure A funds. The amendment will increase the total contract value with PCAM to $4,887,705, fully funded through the combination of San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA)/C/CAG and local Measure A funds.
Funding Sources and Amounts for FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27
|
South City Shuttle East (Blue and Green) |
|
Funding Source |
FY 2025-26 |
FY 2026-27 |
Totals |
|
SMCTA / C/CAG (75%) |
$294,232.30 |
$357,117.25 |
$651,349.55 |
|
SSF Measure A (25%) |
$98,077.43 |
$119,039.08 |
$217,116.65 |
|
Totals |
$392,309.73 |
$476,156.33 |
$868,466.06 |
|
South City Shuttle West (Orange) |
|
Funding Source |
FY 2025-26 |
FY 2026-27 |
Totals |
|
SMCTA / C/CAG (75%) |
$586,682.27 |
$701,018.18 |
$1,287,700.45 |
|
SSF Measure A (25%) |
$195,560.76 |
$233,672.73 |
$429,233.49 |
|
Totals |
$782,243.03 |
$934,690.91 |
$1,716,933.94 |
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Total Funding for Free South City Shuttle Program |
|
Total SMCTA / C/CAG Funding |
$880,914.57 |
$1,058,135.43 |
$1,939,050.00 |
|
Total SSF Measure A Funding |
$293,638.19 |
$352,711.81 |
$646,350.00 |
|
Total Funding |
$1,174,552.76 |
$1,410,847.24 |
$2,585,400.00 |
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|
FY 2025-26 |
FY 2026-27 |
Totals |
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
The Free South City Shuttle Program supports Priority Area 2: Quality of Life of the South San Francisco Strategic Plan by providing equitable, reliable, and accessible multi-modal transportation options.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution amending the shuttle services agreement with Parking Company of America, LLC (PCAM) by $2,515,400, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $4,887,705, for continued operation of the South City Shuttle through June 30, 2027. This amendment will allow the City to continue providing a safe, reliable, and free mode of public transportation for the South San Francisco community.