The Federal Transportation Administration has announced that the Culver City Transportation Department will receive $645,750 to analyze the city’s transit system and develop a sustainability roadmap.

Culver City was one of 50 transit agencies in the country and one of nine in California to receive part of the $25 million federal grant, which aims to restore and improve service that has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s an honor to be one of a small number of transit agencies in the country to receive this federal funding,” said Culver City Mayor Daniel Lee. “This award is a validation of the great work Culver City is doing to expand and improve mobility options through MOVE Culver City, vehicle electrification, and using emerging technologies to deliver mobility as a service.”

Culver City will use these grant funds to conduct a full-scale Comprehensive Service Analysis (CSA), which will analyze the City’s transit system and develop a roadmap for a sustainable system that can achieve long-term growth.

“This grant will allow the City to continue to allocate resources that prioritize user experience and convenience,” said Culver City Chief Transportation Officer Rolando Cruz. “The results of the Comprehensive Service Analysis will inform the City’s decision-making process as we look to expand the delivery of efficient, environmentally friendly and affordable mobility options.”

In April 2022, an average of 6,635 people rode CityBus every day, a 33% increase from April 2021, according to city officials. In the same month, CityBus earned an on-time performance rate of 91%.

As public demand for its public transit system increases, Culver City will use the CSA to maintain efficiency, expand routes and prepare for increasing ridership and meet its goal of zero carbon emissions from CityBus by 2028, said city officials.

Federal funding was made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and doesn’t require matching funds from Culver City. Beginning in spring 2023, the City will retain a contractor to conduct the analysis, which is anticipated to begin in winter 2024.