Fremont’s April 1 city council meeting brought a flurry of updates—both on and off the agenda—as city leaders approved major infrastructure investments and addressed growing community concerns. Here are the key takeaways.
Rides for older adults and people with disabilities
The Fremont City Council has approved additional funding for Ride-On Tri-City!, a program offering subsidized transportation for older adults and people with disabilities in Fremont, Newark and Union City. The approved motion allows the city manager to amend the city’s agreement with Lyft, increasing the contract’s not-to-exceed amount from $270,000 to $380,000 for the 2024–25 fiscal year. It also allocates an extra $110,000 from the Measure BB Paratransit Fund to meet rising demand.
Ride-hailing usage through the program has surged by 135% in the past year, with more than 27,000 Lyft rides provided in FY 2023–24—up from just over 2,000 in FY 2020–21. Over 1,500 residents are now enrolled, and the program covers up to $16 per ride. City staff pointed to the increase in ridership and community reliance as key justifications for the funding boost, which will not impact the General Fund.
General city improvement plan
The city council also approved a preliminary update to its five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which outlines infrastructure priorities through 2030. Projected funding for the new CIP cycle is $175 million—down from $296 million—due to reduced private development activity and federal funding uncertainty. Still, the city will maintain a “status quo” investment strategy focused on essential maintenance and previously funded projects.
Shaped by community input, highlights include launching construction on a new Central Park community center in 2026, upgrading outdated restrooms in multiple parks, and expanding pickleball courts and dog parks citywide. The city will also invest in clean energy upgrades in public facilities and expand EV charging infrastructure.
Transportation improvements include median landscaping, modernized traffic signals and safety upgrades along key corridors such as Fremont Boulevard and Paseo Padre Parkway. Funding will also support long-term planning for regional initiatives like the Irvington BART Station and new trail systems.
Calls for more added to the CIP
During public comment, members of the Niles Main Street Association (NMSA) called on the city to prioritize lighting improvements on Niles Boulevard. Citing safety concerns, they urged the council to add the project to the CIP.
While the area’s two large parking lots accommodate over 100 vehicles, there are only two working lights, creating what NMSA described as an “insufficiently lit area that makes residents and visitors feel unsafe.”
“I believe public lighting is a simple yet effective solution to enhance public safety,” said NMSA president Krysten Laine, adding that improved lighting could also help reduce theft, vandalism and sideshows.
