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Mountain View’s free shuttle services remain suspended as the contracted operator works through state inspection and approval requirements, leaving riders without a confirmed date when the shuttles will return.
The Mountain View Community Shuttle and MVgo haven’t been operating since June 18 after the city learned that contractor WeDriveU did not have a valid state license required to operate the shuttles.
California Public Utilities Commission records show WeDriveU’s certification expired June 9 and a new one was issued June 18.
But the renewed certification did not immediately allow service to resume. The California Highway Patrol was scheduled to inspect the MVCS and MVgo shuttle fleets June 23 and 24, according to a Tuesday city update. After these inspections, the California Public Utilities Commission still needs to approve the license for WeDriveU’s Mountain View locations, the city said.
According to Roni Hattrup, executive director of the Mountain View Transportation Management Association, there is not yet a firm timeline for reinstating service.
“Our operator is following the process required from the CHP and the California Public Utilities Commission, to renew their operating license, including fleet terminal inspections, which began yesterday and will continue through today,” Hattrup said in an email.
Once the fleet terminals pass inspection, Hattrup said, the highway patrol will send the required paperwork to the California Public Utilities Commission for review and approval. But the Mountain View Transportation Management Association, a nonprofit that provides transportation services in Mountain View, does not yet know how long that review will take.
The service disruption affects roughly 1,350 weekday riders. About 1,000 passengers use the Mountain View Community Shuttle on a typical weekday, while another 350 use MVgo, Hattrup previously told the Voice.
MVgo is primarily geared toward commuters to help with “last-mile” connections to and from local bus, light rail and train stations. The Mountain View Community Shuttle has 50 stops throughout the city, including service to shopping centers, parks, the senior center, El Camino Hospital and downtown Mountain View.
While the shuttles are suspended, affected riders can receive Uber vouchers, paid for by WeDriveU, Hattrup said.
The vouchers can only be used for trips within Mountain View and during normal shuttle operating hours, according to the city. Riders experiencing voucher issues can contact MTMA at Info@mvcommunityshuttle.com or 855-730-7433.
