AGOURA HILLS : City Will Continue Shuttle to Beach

Agoura Hills will continue to operate its popular summer beach shuttle for teen-agers despite the decision by neighboring Westlake Village not to renew an arrangement between the two cities to share the shuttle’s cost.

Terry Matz, city manager of Agoura Hills, said the city can afford to fund the program on its own without dipping into general funds.

The two cities, which contracted with Durham Transportation for the shuttle, entered into the cost-sharing agreement two years ago. Both cities had operated their own beach bus lines for several years before that.

Agoura Hills’ portion for the shuttle was about $16,000 last year, officials said. About 30% of the riders were from Westlake Village, which paid $9,651 toward the program in 1994, officials said.

Westlake Village announced it wanted out of the arrangement on Wednesday, at a meeting of city managers from five area cities. Westlake Village City Manager Ray Taylor wrote in a report to the City Council that ridership has been dropping steadily for the past four years, though the cost per rider has increased.

The shuttle served 2,080 riders during the season last year, according to figures provided by Agoura Hills. The fee for the shuttle service was 50 cents each way.

Matz said Agoura Hills is interested in a cost-sharing arrangement with Calabasas and Hidden Hills, which have joined together to form their own shuttle service. Calabasas Mayor Karyn Foley said her city will study the idea.