Laguna Beach to launch on-demand transit service ‘Laguna Beach Local’ Monday

With just an app and the touch of a button, Laguna Beach residents will be able to summon a shared ride around town on-demand this Monday using the city’s Laguna Beach Local service.

The city announced the start of the pilot transit program Wednesday. Plans for the service was approved by the Laguna Beach City Council in July after city staff was directed to do so in response to falling usage of the neighborhood trolley system.

Along all three routes, trolleys were seeing less than 10 passengers aboard. According to the city’s deputy director of public works Michael Litschi, various reasons had been given for why the trolley service was not working for people. Litschi reported that transit users wanted more frequent service, reliability and service that operated for extended hours.

Initial discussions were brought forward in March.

Laguna Beach Local is tentatively available to residents along the old trolley routes in the Top of the World, Bluebird Canyon and Arch Beach Heights neighborhoods and through downtown. Depending on demand and budget, city staff said the program could potentially be expanded into North and South Laguna Beach.

To use Laguna Beach Local, residents will have to download the TransLoc app from the Apple or Google Play store and register an account. Alternatively, those with the Laguna Beach trolley app already installed can then click the “Laguna Beach Local” option under external links and register an account.

Once that account is made, users will need to click the “on demand” tab at the bottom of the screen. They will then tap the Laguna Beach Local option for the day that they are intending to travel and indicate their pick up and drop off locations, how many people will be riding and if a wheelchair or bike is travelling.

Users will also be able to book rides in advance and without a smartphone by calling (949) 497-0766 or by visiting ondemand.transloc.com on a home computer.

Officials said the average wait time should be around 15 to 20 minutes, but that it could depend on ridership and traffic. Vehicles will be able to transport up to seven people at a time.

“This on-demand pilot program is being introduced in direct response to resident feedback and allows us more flexibility and accuracy to supply transit service for residents while also meeting unpredictable changes in demand,” said Laguna Beach Mayor Pro Tem Sue Kempf in a statement. “You can use it for all kinds of daily trips like going to the grocery store, downtown, or meeting a friend for coffee. We look forward to the community’s feedback.”

City staff is expected to return with a report on the pilot program’s results in March.

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