HomeMy WebLinkAboutSR - C24080B - Sunline - Routes 51A&B / Shopper HoppperREQUEST:
SUBMITTED BY:
CONTRACTOR:
DATE:
CONTENTS:
Recommendation:
CITY OF PALM DESERT
STAFF REPORT
APPROVAL OF ACTIONS RELATED TO CONTRACT NO. C24080B
WITH SUNLINE TRANSIT AUTHORITY FOR ROUTES 51 A & B
(RED AND BLUE), THE SHOPPER HOPPER ROUTES
RUTH ANN MOORE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
SUNLINE TRANSIT AUTHORITY
32-505 HARRY OLIVER TRAIL
THOUSAND PALMS, CA 92276-3501
FEBRUARY 14, 2008
CONTRACT NO. C24080B
RIDERSHIP NUMBERS
By Minute Motion:
1) Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute Contract No. C24080B
from January 6, 2008 through June 30, 2008 in an amount not -to -
exceed $199,000 for vehicle operation, preventative maintenance,
fuel, incidental repairs to the vehicles, and rental costs for
replacement vehicles; and
2) Direct staff to develop a report on the program and make
recommendations during the budget review session for the program's
future.
Funds for the Shopper Hopper Program are available from the General Fund
Account No. 110-4416-414-3681.
Executive Summary:
With approval by the City Council, the vehicles will run the east -west route (Blue Route),
including the four largest hotels in Indian Wells and the Living Desert, and the north -south
route (Red Route), which includes the Marriott hotels, COD Street Fair, and the newest
G \BusCtr\Ruth Ann Moore\word data\STAFF REPORTS\Shopper Hopper Cntrct 01-06-08 to 06.30-08 dot
Staff Report
Shopper Hopper Contract C24080B
February 14, 2008
Page 2
addition to the route, the Hampton Inn. The program will continue to run seven days per
week until May 31, 2008, and will then run Wednesday through Sunday until the end of
June.
SunLine has not had an increase to their contract since the 2004-2005 budget, and is
now requesting an operational increase of 35%.
Discussion:
SunLine assumed responsibility for the Shopper Hopper Program in 1994 with one city -
owned, open-air electric trolley. In 1997, SunLine purchased two enclosed, air-conditioned
electric trolleys to expand Route No. 51 by shortening the lead-time for passenger pickup
and extending ridership to the summer. In March 2002, it was determined that the electric
trolleys could no longer function to the standard the City requires and Council approved the
purchase of two CNG buses. The two new buses were put on Route No. 51 (now called
the Blue Route) in February 2003. During the spring of 2004, City Council directed staff to
extend the route to include the hotels in the City's eastern sphere (Embassy Suites, Best
Western, and Holiday Inn Express) and the hotels in Indian Wells (Miramonte, Esmerelda,
and Hyatt Grand Champions). That fall the vehicles were split into two separate routes; the
existing east -west route (Blue Route) and the newly created north -south route (Red Route)
that includes Desert Springs Marriott, Marriott Shadow Ridge, Courtyard, Residence Inn,
The Living Desert and COD Street Fair. While this significantly extended the lead-time of
the routes, it has allowed the service to add the major hotels within the City. Additional fuel
tanks were also added to the vehicles in order to extend the routes. In January of 2008,
the routes were re -organized to add the Hampton Inn to the Red Route and move the
Living Desert to the Blue Route.
SunLine has not had an increase in their operational costs since the 2004-2005 budget. At
that time, the rate increased by approximately $1.00 per operational hour to $40.32.
SunLine has now requested an increase from $40.32 per operational hour to $55.19.
Vehicle maintenance costs are increasing from $0.36 per mile to $0.48 per mile. Fuel
costs have actually been reduced by $0.01 per gallon of compressed natural gas to $1.48.
A complete breakdown of operation costs is listed in Exhibit A of the contract. The
breakdown in staff/time costs for SunLine is listed in Exhibit B of the contract.
Additional maintenance for both vehicles is estimated at $9,000, and is included in the
contract amount. Due to the high use of the vehicles and the fact that they are no longer
under warranty, additional funding is required for tires, brakes, air-conditioning, and other
repairs as needed to keep the vehicles operating safely. SunLine will also now charge
Staff Report
Shopper Hopper Contract C24080B
February 14, 2008
Page 3
$45.00 per hour for repair work that is not preventive, and when the buses are out of
service will charge $125.00 per day for use of a substitute vehicle. SunLine staff must
review all work with City staff prior to repairs being performed.
Additional funding is currently in the budget to create a new design and re -wrap the
vehicles. Staff recommends using this funding to cover the increase in operational costs
instead. Staff also recommends bringing a comprehensive report on the program to the
Council's budget review session with recommendations for the project's future.
Funds for the Shopper Hopper Program are available in the General Fund Account No.
110-4416-414.3681. Staff requests approval of the above recommendations.
Sub
R th A n Moore
Economic Development Manager
Approval:
McCarthy, A
evelopment
Carlos L. Orte•,= City Manager
Paul GibDirector
._TY COUNCIL ACTION:
APPROVED* DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
MEETING DATE gl -I L/ - t
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)riginal on File with/City Clerk's Office
* Approved the recommendations, with clear notice that the City does not intend to
continue the service with SunLine after June 30, 2008, but asking staff in the interim
to inquire of stakeholders about their experience with the service (e.g. Westfield).
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G:\BusCtr\Ruth Ann Moore\word data\STAFF REPORTS\Shopper Hopper Cntrct 01-06-08 to 06-30-08.doc