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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Approval of the Updated Renewal of a Temporary Use Agreement with Lux Bus America Co. for the Temporary Use of a Shared Bus Stop by Apple's Commuter Shuttle.
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Meeting Date: October 13, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Henry Phipps, Senior Management Analyst, Transportation Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-6523
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (10/08/2026)
Department Approval: Nick Zornes, Chief Transportation Officer, Transportation, (09/22/2026) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the renewal of a Temporary Use Agreement with Lux Bus America Co. for the temporary use of a City-operated Shared Bus Stop (and incidental use of the adjacent bus lane) by Apple Inc.'s commuter shuttle program, retroactive to March 6, 2024, and effective through December 31, 2027.
BACKGROUND
Apple Inc. contracts with Lux Bus America Co. ("Lux Bus" or "Shuttle Operator") to operate a private commuter shuttle program to provide transportation for its employees to and from its offices in Culver City. This service uses shuttle vehicles that pick up and drop off Apple employees at a City-operated bus stop located at the northwest corner of Washington Boulevard at its intersection with National Boulevard, in front of the Shay Hotel. The shuttle service also makes incidental use of the City's bus-only mobility lane on Washington Boulevard adjacent to that bus stop, solely to allow vehicles to enter and exit the stop.
In February 2024, the City Manager authorized an initial Temporary Use Agreement with Lux Bus America to allow use of the City bus stop and mobility lane at this location. This pilot agreement expired on March 6, 2024. The Shuttle Operator has continued to operate Apple's commuter shuttle at the designated Shared Bus Stop following the expiration of the prior agreement with the goal of formalizing operations with a long-term contract. The parties have since negotiated a longer-term renewal agreement retroactive to the expiration and to govern this temporary use going forward.
The City has authority to grant such use to Apple's Shuttle Operator pursuant to Culver City Municipal Code, Section 7.03.420, and California Vehicle Code Sections 21655.1 and 22500. These provisions authorize the City to permit private operators to use City bus stops and mobility lanes for the active loading and unloading of passengers under appropriate conditions.
On April 13, 2026, staff recommended Council approve a formal Temporary Use Agreement. Council asked staff to present on the Agreement to an upcoming Standing Mobility Subcommittee before approval. On May 12, 2026, staff presented on the agreement to the Standing Mobility Subcommittee. Council asked staff to renegotiate the fee with Apple.
DISCUSSION
Staff will prepare a renewal to the Temporary Use Agreement (the "Agreement") with Lux Bus America Co. to extend the City's authorization for Apple's commuter shuttle operations at the City's bus stop at the northwest corner of Washington Boulevard and National Boulevard. The proposed Agreement will provide Lux Bus access to the bus stop for onboarding and alighting only, as well as incidental use of the mobility lane immediately to and from the stop. The Agreement will include a data sharing requirement which requires Lux Bus to share the following data with the City at monthly intervals at the end of each following month:
• Total daily stop-events at the permitted bus stop;
• Monthly vehicle miles traveled in commuter shuttle service in Culver City (including any deadheading);
• Average daily boardings in commuter shuttle service in Culver City;
• Average daily occupancy for each vehicle upon arrival at destination;
• Average shuttle dwell time by permitted bus stop;
• Typical routes, and average number of runs per route;
• Average number of daily shuttle vehicles in operation; and
• Shuttle driving quality and interactions as reported by non-riders through a QR code or phone call through a “how is my driving” sticker or decal.
Apple agrees to pay an annual fee for operations, based on the maximum number of permitted vehicles operated for the Shuttle Service and a $7,000 fee per permitted vehicle. The fee is paid annually. The fee is retroactive, excluding a $2,500 formerly agreed-upon amount for 2024. The maximum number of shuttle vehicles is two (2) for calendar years 2025 and 2026 and three (3) for calendar year 2027. Apple will pay the City $51,500 in total for all operations up to December 31, 2027, broken down as follows:
• $2,500 for the applicable period in calendar year 2024;
• $14,000 for calendar year 2025;
• $14,000 for calendar year 2026;
• $21,000 for calendar year 2027.
This Agreement expands upon the April 13, 2026 staff recommendation by increasing the annual fee and fee methodology as well as the requirement for access to data from the QR code or phone number sticker or decal to record interactions between the Shuttle Service and members of the general public.
Lux Bus is required to provide the City with a list of all shuttle vehicles authorized to use the Shared Bus Stop, including license plate numbers. Vehicles not appearing on the approved list may be cited through the City's Automated Bus Lane Enforcement (ABLE) program.
The Agreement will expire on December 31, 2027, unless earlier terminated. It may be extended in six-month increments, subject to City Manager authorization and Shuttle Operator consent, for a maximum of two additional extensions. The City retains the right to terminate the Agreement without cause at any time upon written notice, including in the event that Apple's shuttle operations are determined by the City to be negatively impacting public transit services.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The proposed Agreement will generate revenue for the City in the amount of up to $21,000 per year or $7,000 per vehicle per year for use of the Shared Bus Stop. This fee is unconditional and is owed regardless of actual usage by the Shuttle Operator. Prior fees of $30,500 covering the period from March 6, 2024, through end-of-year 2026 will also be collected upon signing. All revenue under this Agreement will be deposited into the City’s Municipal Bus Lines Fund (account string 203.70.70200.000.000.000.386100). There are no anticipated costs to the City in connection with this Agreement beyond existing staff time for contract administration and monitoring.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Approve the renewal of a Temporary Use Agreement with Lux Bus America Co. for the temporary use of a City-operated Shared Bus Stop (and incidental use of the adjacent bus lane) by Apple Inc.'s commuter shuttle program, retroactive to March 6, 2024, and effective through December 31, 2027;
2. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.