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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Approval of Culver CityBus Regional Transit Provider Agreement with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Games Enhanced Transit Service (“WCGETS”).
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Meeting Date: March 16, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Seth Contreras/Transportation Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-6547
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (03/12/2026)
Department Approval: Demitri Yanni, Interim Chief Transportation Officer (03/04/2026) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Regional Transit Provider Agreement with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Games Enhanced Transit Service (“WCGETS”).
BACKGROUND
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is designated as the official public transit provider for the 2026 FIFA World Cup games in Southern California this coming summer and is coordinating with FIFA to ensure a safe and convenient transportation fan experience. Given the magnitude of a global mega event such as the FIFA World Cup, organizers are expecting on average 70,000 fans per match. To prepare, Metro has developed a regional task force of municipal bus operators to plan a continuous, comprehensive and coordinated transit network service for the games, called the World Cup Games Enhanced Transit Service (“WCGETS”).
Culver CityBus is participating in the WCGETS Regional Task Force for regionwide planning on transit service delivery as part of WCGETS. In preparation for its role in implementing WCGETS, Culver CityBus recently launched a pilot service called Line 99 “SoFi Xpress” for the 2025-2026 NFL season. In coordination with the Fox Hills Westfield mall, this pilot service provided fans with a one-seat ride between the Culver City Transit Center (located at the Westfield Mall, 6000 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA) to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood (home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, and future 2026 FIFA World Cup venue). This limited-run service makes it easy for Culver City residents and visitors to enjoy Rams and Chargers weekend home games and alleviates the hassle of driving, traffic, or parking fees.
As part of the WCGETS, Culver CityBus intends on continuing service to the Intermodal Transit Facility (modeled after the Line 99 “SoFi Xpress” pilot service) for all eight FIFA World Cup games at SoFi Stadium between June and July 2026. Under the proposed Regional Transit Provider Agreement between Culver CityBus and Metro for the 2026 WCGETS, Metro would reimburse Culver CityBus for costs associated with the operation of the WCGETS service during the eight 2026 FIFA World Cup games at SoFi Stadium.
DISCUSSION
Culver City staff is working with Metro to develop a final draft of the Regional Transit Provider Agreement, which is based on a term sheet developed collectively by the regional task force. An initial draft of the agreement was provided to City staff on February 18, 2026. Metro is not planning on announcing agency participation and WCGETS pick-up/drop-off locations until an agreement is signed. The first announcement of partner agencies happened on March 4, 2026.
The agreement will outline roles and responsibilities for each party and would reimburse Culver City for costs associated with operating the agreed-upon transit service for WCGETS. Based on the anticipated level of service required for all eight games at SoFi stadium between June-July 2026, Metro will fund Culver CityBus a not to exceed $167.80 per revenue hour, not including reimbursement for additional tasks performed by Culver CityBus for the WCGETS program as agreed on a case-by-case basis with LACMTA. The $167.80 rate was calculated to reflect all the Culver CityBus costs to provide the service including labor and operating costs. The intention is for the Culver CityBus costs to be entirely offset by the Metro reimbursement.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Metro will reimburse the Culver CityBus for running 6-10 buses for approximately 6.5 revenue hours per game day, as well as for additional tasks performed for the WCGETS program as agreed on a case-by-case basis with LACMTA.
The proposed FIFA bus service will begin in June 2026 and go through July 2026. The June expenditures are anticipated to be absorbed within the Revised Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. July 2026 expenditures will be included in the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Staff anticipates that the total LACMTA reimbursement will be $65,000 and will offset the City’s expenses. Reimbursement revenue will be included in the budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. If any additional costs are incurred, they will be covered by the Municipal Bus Lines Fund (Fund 203).
ATTACHMENTS
None.
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Approve the Culver CityBus Regional Transit Provider Agreement with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Games Enhanced Transit Service;
2. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and approve the final terms of the Agreement;
3. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents;
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.