Glendale gets mid‑study update on Beeline service; consultants propose weekend, late‑night pilots and route tweaks

Glendale officials received a progress update Feb. 3 on a comprehensive operational analysis of the city’s Beeline transit service that recommended pilots aimed at increasing frequency, weekend coverage and later‑night service.

Dan Boyle, the consultant managing the study, told the City Council and staff the team completed ride checks and onboard surveys that produced about 1,300 rider responses and additional online feedback. Boyle said the system averages about 16–17 passengers per revenue hour and that vehicle ownership among riders is low: about 41% report no household vehicle, and many riders have household incomes below $40,000.

"We got 1,300 responses, which is about 500 more than last time we did this study," Boyle said, summarizing the outreach and ride‑check work. He said the onboard data show Routes 4 and 1 are the system’s busiest, and that destinations including Glendale Community College and the Galleria are major trip attractors.

The draft recommendations presented include adding an afternoon bus to improve on‑time performance on Route 8, restoring a Route 11/Metrolink connection to the Civic Center, providing midday service on Route 12 to establish an all‑day Glendale‑Burbank connection, shifting a La Cañada trip to relieve a high‑school bell‑time crowding point, and piloting extended evening service on selected routes.

Boyle described three suggested pilots: weekend and Friday–Saturday late‑night service running to about 10:15 p.m., a Monday–Thursday late‑night pilot focused on campus and downtown connections, and a Sunday pilot adding service on two routes that already show Saturday ridership. The consultants said the pilots are modest, targeted tests to measure demand before any permanent expansion.

Council members pressed staff and the consultant on the study’s outreach scope and the participation of seniors and students. Councilmember Satrain said she had expected direct in‑person outreach at senior housing and student clubs; staff responded that further targeted outreach can be added in the next phase. Boyle said the recommendations are draft and will be refined after the council reviews them and the consultant solicits additional public comment.

Public commenters urged the council to consider free‑fare pilots for seniors and broader free‑fare trials. Herbert Milano suggested a short free‑ride pilot to measure impacts on traffic and on ridership. Councilmembers and staff noted farebox recovery is limited: staff said fares account for roughly 10% of the Beeline’s revenue and that operating costs for the Beeline in 2025 were on the order of $11 million.

Mayor Najarian and staff stressed funding challenges for any sustained expansion and said staff will continue seeking grants and Metro support. The consultant will schedule a second public meeting to present the draft recommendations and gather further feedback before returning to the council with final proposals.