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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda Report - November 4, 2009 J-03 PHAGENDA ITEM 505 CITY OF LODI ,. COUNCIL COMMUNICATION AGENDA TITLE: Report on Possible Transit Fare Increases and Route Modifications and Consider Setting Public Hearing for a Date Determined by City Council MEETING DATE: November4,2009 PREPARED BY: Public Works Director RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive a report on possible transit fare increases and route modifications and consider setting a public hearing for a date to be determined by City Council. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: At the Public Hearing on October 21,2009, City Council approved reducing service hours for the City's transit operations in response to reduced State funding. The changes became effective November2, 2009. City Council also directed staff to explore: 1) extending the service hours on Saturday and Sunday and 2) increasing fares. Staff recommendsthat Council approve the Extended Service Option and implement a proposed increase in transit fares based upon the information provided below. Staff recommends that a public hearing to considerthe increase in transit fares be set for December 19, 2009, or earlier if possible. Extending Service Option Staff worked with the City's transit contractor, MV Transportation, to determine the additional cost to extend service hours on Saturday and Sunday. The extended service hours on the Fixed Route and Dial-A-RideNineLine service are presented in Table 1 below. Table 1 Service I -D-aY Approved by Council Extended Service O tion Fixed Route 4 routes Saturday 9:15 a.m. -3:08 p.m. 7:45 a.m. -3:09 p.m. Fixed Route 4 routes Sunday No Service 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Dial-A-RideNineLine Saturday 9:15 a.m. -3:08 p.m. 7:45 a.m. -3:09 p.m. Dial-A-RideNineLine I Sunday No Service 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Based on MV Transportation's funding model, the additional cost for extending the Saturday service hours and adding Sunday service is approximately $53,000. Approximately 153 daily passengers (43 DARN and 110 Fixed Route) of the total Sunday ridership (241 passengers = 70 DARN and 171 Fixed Route passengers) will be serviced during the extended hours shown above. APPROVED: Blair Kina., Cit nager K:\WP\TRANSIT\ctransitfareservmod 110409. doc 10/29/2009 Report on Possible Transit Fare Increases and Route Modifications and Consider Setting Public Hearing for a Date Determined by City Council November4,2009 Page 2 Increase Transit Fares In January 2005, after the October 20, 2004 City Council public hearing, the Fixed Route fares were increased by $0.50 for the general public and $0.25 for Senior/Disabled/Medicare passengers, and the Dial-A-Ridefares were increased by $3.00 for general public and $0.50 for Senior/Disabled/Medicare passengers. It should be noted that there are very few general public Dial -A -Ride passengers. Following the fare increase, the Fixed Route and Dial -A -Ride ridership dropped approximately 17.2% and 7.7%, respectively. Due to federal regulations and City Council meeting schedules, the proposed new fares could not begin before January 2, 2010 and, therefore, the new fares would apply for only half of the current fiscal year. The federal process for implementing fare increases requires an informational public meeting followed by a public hearing. If a special meeting was scheduled for the public hearing in latter November, the proposed new fares could begin December 1, 2009, and the higher fares could be collected for seven months instead of six months. Staff recommends proposed fare increases as presented in Table 2. Assuming the new fares would apply to half of the current fiscal year and the ridership reductions noted above, the additional revenue resulting from the fare increase would be approximately $32,100. If the fare increase were implemented December 1, 2009, the additional revenue would be approximately $37,450. Table 2 Presented in ExhibitA is a comparison of transit fares for selected cities in the region. The proposed transit fares are, in staffs opinion, favorably comparable to these other cities. In summary, the estimated cost of the Extended Service Option is $53,000 and the additional revenue provided by the fare increase is $32,100 (or $37,450). Staff believes the system can be operated within budget under these conditions, given that budgets are estimates and minor cost control measure can be implemented through the year, if necessary. Staff recommends that Council approve the Extended Service Option and implement a proposed increase in Transit Fares based upon the information provided. Staff recommendsthat a public hearing K:\WP\TRANSIT\ctransitfareservmod110409.doc 10/29/2009 Current Fare Proposed Fare Dial -A -Ride General Public $5.00 $7.00 Senior/Disabled/Medicare $1.50 $2.00 10 -Ride General Public $50.00 $66.50 10 -Ride Senior/Disabled/Medicare $12.00 $20.00 VineLine ADA -Certified $1.50 $2.00 Fixed Route General Public 6-59 $1.00 $1.25 Senior/Disabled/Medicare $0.50 $0.65 General Public Monthly Pass $10.00 $12.50 Senior/Disabled/Medicare Monthly Pass $5.00 $6.25 Outsidie City Units Dial -A -Ride $1.00 No change Presented in ExhibitA is a comparison of transit fares for selected cities in the region. The proposed transit fares are, in staffs opinion, favorably comparable to these other cities. In summary, the estimated cost of the Extended Service Option is $53,000 and the additional revenue provided by the fare increase is $32,100 (or $37,450). Staff believes the system can be operated within budget under these conditions, given that budgets are estimates and minor cost control measure can be implemented through the year, if necessary. Staff recommends that Council approve the Extended Service Option and implement a proposed increase in Transit Fares based upon the information provided. Staff recommendsthat a public hearing K:\WP\TRANSIT\ctransitfareservmod110409.doc 10/29/2009 Report on Possible Transit Fare Increases and Route Modifications and Consider Setting Public Hearing for a Date Determined by City Council November4,2009 Page 3 to consider the increase in Transit Fares for December 19, 2009 or earlier if possible. By previous Council action, the City Manager is authorized to implement a required contract amendment with MV Transportation. FISCAL IMPACT: Increasetransit operations costs. FUNDING AVAILABLE: Pending future action to increase transit fares. Jordan Ayers ' Deputy City Man _ nterna Services Director Ah"Y" -JOA4,dP,(,,— F. Wally Sarigelin Public Works Director Prepared by Paula J. Fernandez, Transportation Man ager/Senior Traffic Engineer FWS/PJF/pmf Attachment K:\WP\TRANSITIctransitfareservmod110409.doc 10/29/2009 Exhibit A Comparison of Transit Fares Fixed Route Dial-A-Ride/ADA Paratransit General Sr/Dis/Med General Public ADA Paratransit Public Fare Fare Student Children (Adult/Children) Sr/Dis/Med Student Only 5 and under free per 2 fare Lodi $1.25 $0.65 $1.25 paying adults $7.00 $2.00 $7.00 $2.00 Unlimited Access with Unlimited Access free pass, with registration upon approval card; without Davis Unitrans $1.00 (Senior= 60+) card fare is $1.00 N/A none $2.00 for customers who Davis Community Transit none N/A N/A N/A qualify under ADA $3.50 local, $7.50 $3.50 local, $7.50 5 and under regional (Srs= regional (Srs= Elk Grove e-tran/e-van $2.25 $1.10 $1.10 free N/A 75+) N/A 75+) $3.00 (provided by Escalon $1.50 $0.75 $1.25 N/A N/A N/A N/A SJRTD) Fairfield $1.00 $0.50 N/A N/A N/A N/A $3.00 $2.50 / 4 and under free with Galt (DAR) none fare paying adult $1.75 $1.75 N/A Livermore (Livermore/Amador Valley 6 and under Transit Authority) $2.00 $1.00 N/A free N/A $3.50 N/A N/A 5 and under Manteca $1.00 $0.50 $0.75 free N/A $2.00 N/A N/A $1.00 (Ripon seniors and/or disabled, one Ripon Thur/ month, just (service provided by 4 and under to Modesto, within SJRTD Hopper Route 91) $1.50 $0.75 $1.25 free N/A 25 miles of town) N/A N/A 4 and under $3.75 Roseville $1.50 $0.75 N/A free 4 and under free $2.25 N/A $2.25 5 and under Stockton (SJRTD) $1.50 $0.75 $1.25 free N/A N/A N/A $3.00 $1.25 (only for travel to and from 6 and under the Unincorporated Tracy $1.00 $0.50 $0.75 free areas) $1.25 N/A $1.25 TABLE 2 Current Fare Proposed Fare Dial -A -Ride General Public (0-59) $5.00 $7.00 Sr/Disabled/Medicare $1.50 $2.00 10 -ride General Public $50.00 $66.50 10 -ride Sr/Disabled/Medicare $12.00 $20.00 VineLine ADA Certified $1.50 $2.00 Outside City Limits Dial -A -Ride $1.00 $1.00 Current Fare Proposed Fare Fixed Route General Public (5-59) $1.00 $1.25 Sr/Disabled/Medicare $0.50 $0.65 General Public Monthly Pass $35.00 $44.00 Sr/Disabled/Medicare Monthly Pass $17.50 $22.00 10 -ride General Public $10.00 $12.50 10 -ride Sr/Disabled/Medicare $5.00 $6.25 The City of Lodi Public Works Transportation Division r Item J-3 — Repo Possible Transit Fare Increases and Route Modifications .�. As Issue Extended Service Option Transit Fare Increase Comparison of Transit Fares Action Issue Revenues Expenditures Funding Shortfall Operations Savings (Jul - Oct) Operations Savings (Nov — Jun) Projected Deficit $3,034,170 -3,477,945 $443,775 - 70,000 -50,000 $323,775 �► Extended Service Option DAR/VineLine Saturday 9:15 AM - 3:08 PM 7:45 AM - 3:09 PM DAR/VineLine Sunday No Service 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM APPROVED BY EXTENDED SERVICE DAY COUNCIL SERVICE OPTION Fixed Route (4 routes) Saturday 9:15 AM - 3:08 PM 7:45 AM - 3:09 PM Fixed Route (4 routes) Sunday No Service 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM DAR/VineLine Saturday 9:15 AM - 3:08 PM 7:45 AM - 3:09 PM DAR/VineLine Sunday No Service 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM �r DAR/VineLine Fare Increase �► Fixed Route Fare Increase Current Proposed Fare Fare Fixed Route General Public (5-59) Current Proposed Sr/Disabled/Medicare Fare Fare Dial -A -Ride $35.00 $44.00 General Public (0 — 59) $5.00 $7.00 Sr/Disabled/Medicare $1.50 $2.00 10 -ride General Public $50.00 $66.50 10 -ride Sr/Disabled/Medicare $12.00 $20.00 VineLine ADA Certified $1.50 $2.00 Outside City Limits Dial -A -Ride $1.00 $1.00 �► Fixed Route Fare Increase Current Proposed Fare Fare Fixed Route General Public (5-59) $1.00 $1.25 Sr/Disabled/Medicare $0.50 $0.65 General Public Monthly Pass $35.00 $44.00 Sr/Disabled/Medicare Monthly Pass $17.50 $22.00 10 -ride General Public $10.00 $12.50 10 -ride Sr/Disabled/Medicare $5.00 $6.25 �► Exhibit A Comparison of Transit Fares �► Action Extend Service Hours Effective November 5th ➢Conduct Public Hearing on December 191h, or Earlier ➢By Previous Council Action, City Manager will Implement Required Contract Amendment with MV Transportation . . .......... W, Questions? �IOF� FOX; SUBJECT: PUBLISH DATE: Please immediately confirm receipt cf this fax by calling 333-6702 CITY OF LODI P. O. BOX 3006 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910 ADVERTISING INSTRUCTIONS PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER TRANSIT FARE INCREASES AND ROUTE MODIFICATIONS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14,2009 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER28,2009 TEAR SHEETS WANTED: One (1) please SEND AFFIDAVIT AND BILL TO: RANDI JOHL, CITY CLERK City of Lodi P.O. Box 3006 Lodi, CA 95241-1910 DATED: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11,2009 ORDERED BY: RANDI JOHL CITY CLERK JCONIFER 0. ROBISON, CMC ASSISTANT -CITY CLERK MARIA BECERRA ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK Faxed to the Sentinel at 369-1084 at (time) on (date) (pages) LNS Phoned to confirm receipt of all pages at ---ome) :_ F _MB -_JMR (initials) forms\advins.doc DECLARATION OF POSTING PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDERTRANSIT FARE INCREASES AND ROUTE MODIFICATIONS On Friday, November 13, 2009, in the City of Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, a Notice of Public Hearing to consider transit fare increases and route modifications (attached and marked as Exhibit A) was posted at the following locations: Lodi Public Library Lodi City Clerk's Office Lodi City Hall Lobby Lodi Carnegie Forum declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on November 13, 2009, at Lodi, California. JANIFER KU ROBISON, CMC ASSISTANT CITY CLERK N:\Administration\CLERK\Forms\DECPOSTPW.DOC ORDERED BY: RANDIJOHL CITY CLERK MARIA BECERRA ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK • CITY OF LODI , Carnegie Forum 305 West Pine Street, Lodi NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Date: December 16, 2009 Time: 7:00 p.m. For information regarding this notice please contact: Randi Johl, City Clerk Telephone: (209)333-6702 ,E OF PUBLIC 14LARING D. re�P NOTICE S HEREBY GIVEN that on Wednesday, December 16, 2009, at the hour of 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, the City Council will conduct a public hearing at the Carnegie Forum, 305 West Pine Street, Lodi, to consider the following matter: a) Transit fare increases and route modifications. Information regarding this' item may be obtained in the Public Works Department, 221 West Pine Street, Lodi, (209) 333-6706. All interested persons are invited to present their views and comments on this matter. Written statements may be filed with the City Clerk, City Hall, 221 West Pine Street, 2nd Floor, Lodi, 95240, at any time prior to the hearing scheduled herein, and oral statements may be made at said hearing. If you challenge the subject matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk, 221 West Pine Street, at or prior to the close of the public hearing. B der of the Lodi City Council: I City Clerk Dated: November4,2009 Approved as to form: D. Stephen Schwabauer City Attorney CLERK\PUBHEAR\N0TICES\NotPW.d0C 11/5/09