Thanks to over $3 million from California Climate Investments through the Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP), City of Commerce has partnered with Climate Resolve and TreePeople to provide more clean transportation options to the city’s residents. Situated in southeast Los Angeles County in an area known for its commercial and industrial operations, Commerce has a history of providing free and reliable public transit service to its residents.
The Commerce STEP grant builds upon this with expanded weekend dial-a-ride shuttle service via two new electric shuttles and expanded weeknight bus service via two new electric buses. After much deliberation, the sides of these new zero-emission transit vehicles display the message, “Take a free ride on the green side.” With the introduction of their first zero-emission transit vehicles, the city has begun to train staff to drive, install, and maintain the vehicles and supporting infrastructure.
The City, in partnership with Climate Resolve, held a Clean Air Day event this October to celebrate the new launch of the electric shuttles. Over 100 residents toured the new vehicles, learned about simple actions they can take to improve local air quality, signed the Clean Air Day pledge, and received complimentary popsicles from a local vegan ice cream shop.
According to one member of Commerce’s STEP advisory group, Kevin Lainez, “The event was a success! Climate Resolve did an amazing job of reaching out to Commerce's business community to help sponsor the event, and there were great partner organizations sharing resources. Also, our city's Transportation Department engaged with the community and provided helpful information. It was fun to be able to see one of our shuttles up close!” Another advisory group member, Jason Gardea-Stinnett, said, “I loved that council members showed up, and that Commerce’s young people brought great energy, were engaged, and volunteered.”
Commerce residents, who support implementation of the STEP-funded projects via a resident advisory group, know that options are important to ensure access to different types of destinations. Through STEP, TreePeople has planted over 300 trees and counting to provide shade to pedestrians throughout the city. Commerce is also in the process of implementing its 2020 Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan with the city’s first bike lanes, funded through STEP. And in spring 2022, Commerce partnered with LA Metro to hold a series of interactive biking workshops and community rides.