About Us
LBT provides public transportation to more than 26 million boarding customers annually in southeastern Los Angeles County and northern Orange County. With a service area covering over 100-square miles across 13 cities, LBT annually runs more than 6.9 million service miles over 700,000 service hours, using 248 fixed-route buses. LBT also operates demand responsive paratransit service and water taxi service.
Statistics
| FY 2018 Customer Boardings | 23.8 million | FY 2019 Operating Budget | $98.02 million |
| FY 2018 Vehicle Miles Traveled | 7.7 million | FY 2019 Capital Budget | $38.27 million |
| Number of Routes | 35 | Fleet | 248 vehicles |
For more information view our LBT At-A-Glance.
Long Beach Transit is dedicated to connecting communities and moving people…making everyday life better.
Our vision is to be a leading provider of transportation options delivering innovative and high-performing services within a multi-modal network that transforms the social, environmental and economic well-being of the diverse communities we serve.
As an organization we are focused on our strategic priorities to
- Improve safety and service quality;
- Exercise financial accountability;
- Foster employee engagement;
- Enhance customer experience and
- Promote community and industry focus
March 1963
Articles of Incorporation for Long Beach Public Transportation Company are approved and the Board of Directors conducts its first meeting.
May 1963–1977
William (Bill) Farrell becomes first general manager of the Long Beach Public Transportation Company.
1963
The first bus procured by Long Beach Public Transportation Company was the Dreamliner model bus.
May 1974
Grand opening of new Long Beach Transit offices and maintenance department at 1300 Gardenia Avenue.
1975
Dial-A-Lift begins services for customers with disabilities who are unable to use the LBT fixed-route bus system.
1977–1980
Gerald (Jerry) Haugh served as the second general manager of Long Beach Transit.
1980–2013
Lawrence (Larry) Jackson hired as the third general manager of Long Beach Transit. He would lead the company for the next 33 years.
August 1982
Long Beach Transit Mall is dedicated.
Mid 1990s
Instituted downtown shuttle service called the Runabout, and later the Pine Avenue Link.
September 1998
A second operating facility is opened in North Long Beach, giving LBT an opportunity to expand its fleet.
1998
AquaBus service begins with two 40-foot boats skippered by Catalina Express boat captains.
2001
The Pine Avenue Link is re-branded The Passport and continues its service of downtown Long Beach venues.
2004–2009
LBT adds 89 gasoline-electric hybrid buses to the fleet introducing production model gasoline-electric hybrid buses into revenue service.
2009
The U-Pass program begins at CSULB. The U-Pass program funded by the university provides complimentary bus service for students, faculty and staff.
2011
AquaLink service begins with a high-speed catamaran that adds express service and a stop at Belmont Pier.
Winter 2013
LBT added 64 new 40-foot Gillig compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to the fleet.
2013
LBT celebrates 50 years of moving the community forward.
August 2013
Kenneth McDonald becomes the fourth President and Chief Executive Officer of Long Beach Transit.
March 2017
LBT adds 10 Battery-Electric Buses to its fleet.
Board of Directors
Long Beach Transit is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by the Mayor of the City of Long Beach. Each Board Member is confirmed by the Long Beach City Council and serves up to two, four-year terms. Two other non-voting Board Members serve as designees of the Long Beach City Manager.
The Board meets once per month and selects its officers each December.
Colleen Bentley
Chair
January 2018 – December 2021
2nd Term
View Bio
Colleen Bentley
Colleen Bentley worked in the California State University Chancellor's Office for 25 years, where she served as Public Affairs Director and special projects director. Ms. Bentley’s work included working with the Chancellor, Board of Trustees and the 23 campus presidents on media relations, communication issues and video/web projects. Ms. Bentley currently serves on the CSULB Alumni Association Board, the Leadership Long Beach Honorary Board, the Advisory Board for the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, the Community Improvement League Board and the Friends of Belmont Shore Board.
Michael Clemson
Vice Chair
February 2017 – December 2020
1st Term
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Michael Clemson
Michael Clemson has a passion for transportation. He is an avid cyclist and Long Beach Transit rider, and he believes that one of the critical things that makes a city great is having diverse transit options, including public and active transportation. In his role as the Energy Program Manager for the California State University Office of the Chancellor, Mr. Clemson works directly to promote energy efficiency and sustainability.
Adam Carrillo
Secretary/Treasurer
July 2018 – December 2021
First Term
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Adam Carrillo
Adam Carrillo is the Executive Vice President, Strategy, at ETA Agency, a full-service advertising and marketing agency in Downtown Long Beach. Mr. Carrillo is also the current President of the Long Beach Commercial Real Estate Council and an Advisory Board Member for the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at CSULB.
Sumire Gant
January 2018 – December 2021
2nd Term
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Sumire Gant
Sumire Gant heads her own consulting practice specializing in sustainable transportation planning and public affairs. Acknowledged for her efforts to make Long Beach the Most Bicycle Friendly City in the country, Ms. Gant managed the transportation planning and programs division for the City, securing millions of dollars in grants to plan and construct innovative bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Ms. Gant holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from UCLA and a Bachelor’s of Science from the USC.
Steven Neal
January 2018 – December 2022
1st Term
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Steven Neal
A former Councilmember for the 9th District, Steven Neal is the Senior Pastor of LIFE Gospel Ministries. Mr. Neal previously served as a Board member of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), the Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Board and the Long Beach Freedom Schools program. He currently serves on the Transactions and Use Tax Citizens Advisory Committee.
Maricela Renteria de Rivera
January 2016 – December 2019
2nd Term
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Maricela Renteria de Rivera
Maricela Renteria de Rivera is the Co-Founder/Director of Long Beach Breastfeeds, and formally worked as a Public Affairs Assistant for the Long Beach Airport. A graduate of Leadership Long Beach, Ms. de Rivera served on the Board of Directors, including the Executive Committee, for three years. Ms. de Rivera currently serves on the Board of Directors for BreastfeedLA.
Mary Zendejas
January 2015 – December 2018
1st Term
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Mary Zendejas
Mary Zendejas is the Director and Founder of the DisABLED Professionals Association, the former chair of the Citizens' Advisory Commission on Disabilities, and the Director of Community Relations for Accessible Connections Exchange. A former Ms. Wheelchair California and long-time outspoken advocate for disability rights, who also served on the Mayor's Transition Team. She holds a communications degree from California State University, Long Beach.
City Representatives
Lea Eriksen
Assistant Director of Finance
City of Long Beach
View Bio
Lea Eriksen
Lea Eriksen is the Director of Technology and Innovation for the City of Long Beach. Ms. Eriksen joined the City in February 2014 and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and project management of the Technology and Innovation department, including developing a staff of 143 employees and managing a $44 million office budget. Before relocating to Long Beach, Ms. Eriksen spent 16 years with the City of Cincinnati, the last seven as the Budget Director. Ms. Eriksen graduated cum laude from Miami University and has an MBA from Xavier University.
Luke Klipp
Special Projects Officer
City of Long Beach
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Luke Klipp
Luke H. Klipp is Special Projects Officer in the Transportation Mobility Bureau of the Department of Public Works for the City of Long Beach. Mr. Klipp supports Transportation Mobility in the funding and delivery of projects throughout Long Beach. Additionally, Mr. Klipp serves as Metro Board Deputy for Mayor Robert Garcia. Mr. Klipp holds a Masters in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan. Prior to joining the City of Long Beach, he was a Principal Transportation Planner at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Agency.
Executive Leadership
Kenneth A. McDonald
President and CEO
View Bio
Kenneth A. McDonald
Kenneth A. McDonald has 30 years of transportation experience in both the public and private sectors. He has overseen transit programs and projects and has had direct responsibility for daily service delivery at two of the largest public transit agencies in the country. He is a member of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials and serves on several committees of the American Public Transportation Association.
Debra A. Johnson
Deputy CEO
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Debra A. Johnson
Debra A. Johnson has 26 years of public transportation experience in both the private and public sectors. She is an alumna of the 2000 Class of Leadership San Francisco, 2008 Eno Center for Transit Leadership's Executive Development Program and the 2016 Leadership Long Beach Executive Leadership series. Ms. Johnson is a member of the Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS), and the California Transit Association’s Executive Committee. She was appointed to a two-year term in June 2014 and re-appointed in 2017 by Former Transportation Secretary, Anthony Foxx as a representative member of the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Program Advisory Committee.
Vincent C. Ewing
General Counsel
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Vincent C. Ewing
Vincent C. Ewing has more than 20 years of public agency legal experience (including 10 years advising agencies on public transportation) having served as General Counsel to the Alameda-Contra Transit District; as City Attorney to the City of East Palo Alto, where he counseled the Dumbarton Express, a regional public transit service; as Assistant City Attorney to the City of Santa Rosa, where he counseled its Transit Division; and as Deputy City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles, where he served as a prosecutor and civil litigator.
LaVerne David
Executive Director and Vice President Employee and Labor Relations
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LaVerne David
LaVerne David has an extensive career as a transportation industry executive. Ms. David was Owner/President of a transit consulting firm and Vice President of a national transportation company with responsibilities in Administration, Transit Operations and Acquisitions before joining LBT. Ms. David is a Vice President and Executive Board Member for the Orange County Labor and Employment Relations Association (OCLERA) and the Transit Labor Exchange (TLE). She is an American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Leadership alumna and serves on the APTA Human Resources and Risk Management Committees.
Lisa Patton
Executive Director and Vice President Finance and Budget
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Lisa Patton
Lisa Patton has more than 26 years of progressive experience in transportation and finance including fiscal contingency planning, financial forecasting, treasury management, capital planning and budgeting. Her experience includes leadership roles within private companies and public agencies. Ms. Patton has the distinction of having provided executive financial leadership to LBT through the recession without laying off a single employee.
Patrick Pham
Executive Director and Vice President Information Technology
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Patrick Pham
Patrick Pham has more than 30 years of Information Technology experience, including over 20 years in senior management. He is certified in Microsoft, Cisco, ITIL and Oracle. Mr. Pham has been with Long Beach Transit (LBT) for 17 years.
Tony B. Cohen
Executive Director and Vice President Maintenance and Infrastructure
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Tony B. Cohen
Tony B. Cohen has more than 30 years of experience in Fleet and Facility Maintenance and Infrastructure. He is experienced in Budgeting, Human Resource Management, Preventive Maintenance Program Design, Implementation, Scheduling and Monitoring for high-volume fleets.
Lee Burner
Executive Director and Vice President Transit Service Delivery and Planning
View Bio
Lee Burner
Lee Burner is a career transportation professional with more than 28 years of transit experience in both public and private transportation sectors. His extensive background includes management and independent consultant services to transit organizations, both nationally and internationally. Mr. Burner’s experience includes bus transportation, light rail, paratransit operations, contract development, strategic planning and organizational financial stability.
Mike Gold
Executive Director and Vice President Customer Relations and Communications
View Bio
Mike Gold
Mike Gold is a communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience in the public and nonprofit sectors. He is a 2019 graduate of Leadership Long Beach and built successful outreach, community relations and communications campaigns in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Gold directs strategic customer and community relations programs and promotes LBT's people and programs.
Transparency
LBT is committed not only to connecting communities and moving people, we also operate with integrity. As a public agency, we are transparent and exercise financial accountability. Our board meetings are open to the public and our financial information is posted online.
We are also pleased to post the Executive Summary from our 2018 STAR Initiative.
The Long Beach Transit Board of Directors meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month at 12 p.m. in the Long Beach City Council Chamber (333 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802).
To view copies of previous agenda and minutes please visit the Board Meeting Agenda page hosted by the City of Long Beach
For archived board meeting agendas please select below
2019 Board Meeting Schedule
For the current agenda, please click on the meeting date below:
Monday, January 28, 2019
Monday, February 25, 2019
Monday, March 25, 2019
Monday, April 22, 2019
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Monday, June 24, 2019
Monday, July 22, 2019
Monday, August 26, 2019
Monday, September 23, 2019
Monday, October 28, 2019
Monday, December 9, 2019
Financial Information
The Board of Directors adopts an annual budget in May. You can find the latest budget here
