Michelle Bastidas

This document presents a multi-year financial pricing proposal outlining variable and fixed costs for IVT RIDE services across different locations, spanning fiscal years 2024 through 2031. It details budget projections for operational expenses such as wages, maintenance, fuel, insurance, and administrative costs, but it does not contain strategic objectives, goals, or a long-term organizational direction.

The meeting included updates on the Comprehensive Operational Analysis Study, with the final draft and recommendations expected in February. The Bus Stops Improvement project, involving shelter upgrades in El Centro, Calipatria, and Westmorland, is being prepared for bidding. Construction continues on the Calexico ICTC Project, anticipated for completion in March 2026. Progress was reported on the implementation of GTFS real-time tracking, including future app and QR code integration, and the rollout of a contactless payment method, expected to be contracted in January. Community engagement activities included a Stuff-a-Bus event and a Veterans campaign offering free rides on IVT services during November. The council reviewed the upcoming Unmet Transit Needs (UTN) process for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, requesting feedback to finalize the required letter. Reports from transit operators detailed veteran ridership, donation collection from Stuff-a-Bus, maintenance efforts for bus stops, and service continuity despite weather-related incidents, noting increased ridership for IVT Ride Now services. General discussion covered participation in local parades, an upcoming conference for adults with disabilities, and temporary construction-related closures at Imperial Valley College.

The agenda for the meeting includes several discussion and action items pertaining to transportation services. Key topics cover the approval of minutes from the January 7, 2026 meeting, reports from CTSA, and review of the draft UTN Letter to the Hearing Panel for the FY 2026-27 Master Needs List. Further discussions include transit operator updates from Transdev Staff regarding Imperial Valley Transit (IVT), IVT Access, IVT Ride Now services (Brawley, Calexico, El Centro, Imperial, West Shores), and IVT MedTrans.

The meeting commenced with introductions, after which the minutes from December 3, 2025, were adopted. Key discussions involved updates from the CTSA, including the status of bus stop improvement projects in El Centro, Calipatria, and Westmorland, and the progress of the Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA) Study, which is nearing concept finalization with further outreach planned. Updates were also provided on the implementation of the GTFS study for bus tracking and the expected award of the contactless payment system contract in February. Construction progress on the Calexico ICTC project was noted. Furthermore, the panel discussed and updated the UTN list. Transit operator reports included detailed Q1 (July-September 2025) performance metrics for Imperial Valley Transit fixed routes (Blue, Green, and Gold Lines) and IVT Access, covering on-time performance, passenger counts, and wheelchair/bike statistics. IVT Ride Now reported on initial service performance across various locations, and IVT MedTrans provided its first quarterly report. A general discussion included a reminder that the EV charging station survey for the county remains open until January 23.

The meeting addressed several key items under the consent calendar, including the approval of the Office Space Renewal Contract/Agreement for IVRMA for the term January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. In reports, the Executive Director provided updates on community food bank contributions, veteran passenger trips, the upcoming General Assembly scheduled for January 22, 2026, and progress on the Bus Stop Improvement Project, the Calexico Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC), and the EV Charger Acquisition Project. Updates from SCAG covered the Regional Council's approval of $1.25 Billion in STBG/CMAQ funding for Federal Fiscal Years 2026-27 and 2027-28. Action items included approving Change Orders No. 8 and 9 for the Calexico ITC Project, and approving cost-sharing recommendations and consultant selection for Phase 1 of the Imperial County Integrated Waste Management Plan (ICIWMP) Update.