sr-032409-1c (2)City Council Meeting: March 24, 2009
Agendaltem: ~^'C-
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Stephanie Negriff, Director of Transit Services
Subject: Exercise Option to Purchase Ten GasolinelElectric Hybrid Coaches
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a
modification to Contract No. 8963,-and issue a Notice to Proceed with Creative Bus
Sales in the amount of $8,061,367 to purchase ten 30-foot, Gasoline/Electric Hybrid
transit coaches.
Executive Summary
The City wishes to exercise an option to procure ten 30-foot buses for $7,355,687,
including tax, spare parts, and .training, plus a contingency of $705,680. The ten
vehicles recommehded for purchase will replace ten 30-foot Thomas buses that have
exceeded their useful life.
The total option order cost of $8,061,367 will be funded by the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 (Federal Economic Stimulus) dollars.
Background
On July 23, 2008, City Council authorized the purchase of five Gasoline/Hybrid. transit
coaches and miscellaneous spare parts from Creative Bus Sales for a total not to
exceed $4,127,544, including $375,231 for contingency. The executed contract allows.
the City an option to purchase up to 25 additional vehicles at quoted prices per option
year for a period of three years measured from July 1, 2009 up through June 30, 2012.
Discussion
In FY 2006-07, the Big Blue Bus implemented Mini Blue community transit services in
Santa Monica. The system operates routes, marketed as "Rides", using distinctively
designed small buses within the City's business districts and neighborhoods. Currently,
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the Mini. Blue system consists of the Tide Ride, the Crosstown Ride, and the Sunset
Ride.
The recent passage of the ARRA and allocation of these dollars to the Big Blue Bus.
allows an accelerated replacement of 2001 Mini Blue vehicles. The quieter engines in
the new buses will reduce the amount of noise generated by 20% in neighborhoods.
Also, replacing bio-diesel powered vehicles with gasoline/hybrid technology reduces
nitrogen emissions by 76% and carbon dioxide emissions by 45%, which is consistent
with the City's sustainability goals.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The total project cost of $8,061,367 is broken down as follows:
10 Coaches $ 7,056,800 ($705,680 per coach)
Training 52,800
Spare Parts 246,087
Contingency 705,680
This project is funded with Federal ARRA dollars. Funds for this purchase are available
in account 0410519.589000.
Prepared by:
Ralph Merced, Transit Maintenance Manager
Approved:
~/
Steph~nie Negriff
Direc r of Transit Services
Forwarded to Council:
P. { mont Ewell
City Manager
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Reference Amended
Contract No. 8963 (CCS).