The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 11/18/2003 - PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLUTION 2003-126 MAKING ADJU ITEM NUMBER: 18 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: November 18, 2003 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Tom Frazier SUBJECT Public Hearing and Resolution 2003-126 Making Adjustments to Transfort and Dial-A-Ride Fares. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution. FINANCIAL IMPACT The amount of new revenue will be determined by the impact of the fare change on ridership. The fare study consultants projected ridership reductions with the proposed fare increase without substantial increase in revenue. For Council's information,financial impacts are shown on the fixed route and Dial-A-Ride systems with no change in ridership and the projected reduced ridership. RIDERSHIP FINANCIAL IMPACT Fixed-Route No Drop in Ridership 1,477,735 Additional $30,422 Reduced Ridership 1,435,848 Additional $ 3,830 Dial-A-Ride No Drop in Ridership 75,033 Additional $12,840 Reduced Ridership 69,030 Additional $ 6,477 The fares for the FoxTrot transit service are not included in these proposed rate changes. The FoxTrot service is part of an Intergovernmental Agreement with Loveland and Larimer County, and those discussions are pending. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The City Council requested the examination of the Dial-A-Ride eligibility criteria and the fees and fares for Transfort/Dial-A-Ride. At the October 14, 2003 study session, Council direction was to increase fares/fees for the fixed route and Dial-A-Ride transit services by 25%except for Youth fares and Dial-A- Ride Special low-income fare. The Youth fare will remain the same, at no charge. November 18, 2003 -2- Item No. 18 Other items discussed at the study session but not included for Council action: • Weekdays free for youth with fares charged for weekends • Increasing Youth Fare to 25 cents • No fare increase for Dial-A-Ride transit services. This proposed Resolution would establish the fares and fees for 2004 as follows: CURRENT PROPOSED TRANSFORT FARES 10 Ride $ 7.00 $ 9.00 Monthly Pass $ 19.00 $ 25.00 Senior Annual Pass $ 19.00 $ 25.00 Disabled Annual Pass $ 19.00 $ 25.00 Single Ride Regular $ 1.00 $ 1.25 Senior, Disabled $ .50 $ .60 Youth FREE FREE Transfers FREE FREE CSU Student $ 12.19/semester Flat fee of approximately $540,000 Passfort Annual Pass $ 35.00 $ 35.00 DIAL-A-RIDE FARES 33 Ride Ticket $ 60.00 $ 75.00 Regular $ 2.00 $ 2.50 Lower Income A. $ 1.00 $ 1.25 B. $ .50 $ .50 BACKGROUND In 2001, City Council asked staff to: (1) look into the eligibility requirements for Dial-A-Ride service; and to (2) to determine if the fees and fares for Transfort/Dial-A-Ride are appropriate. These items were discussed at the May 28,2002 study session. At that session,Council agreed that Dial-A-Ride eligibility should stay the same and fares and fees should increase by 25% and should include a Youth Fare of $.25. At the July 19,2002 City Council meeting,Council deferred the fare increase decision until staff completed the ASCSU/CSU negotiations. Staff brought the item back to Council at the October 14, 2003 study session with the recommendation that the Youth Fare not be implemented due to the projected drop in youth ridership. November 18, 2003 -3- Item No. 18 Staff sought input from the public and numerous boards and commissions. The general comments were that they were not opposed to the proposed fare increases. The Senior Transportation committee felt that youth should be charged a fare, and were not opposed to an increased senior/disabled fare. RESOLUTION 2003-126 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO TRANSFORT AND DIAL-A-RIDE FARES WHEREAS, the fares for the use of City's Transfort bus system and the City's paratransit service, Dial-A-Ride, have not been increased since July of 1999; and WHEREAS, the cost of providing Transfort and Dial-A-Ride services has continued to increase; and WHEREAS, Transfort and Dial-A-Ride fares need to be increased to keep pace with inflationary costs of providing Transfort and Dial-A-Ride services; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that effective January, 2004, the fares for Transfort and Dial-A-Ride shall be as follows: CATEGORY NEW FEE/FARE Transfort Fares: 10 Ride $ 9.00 Monthly Pass $25.00 Senior Annual Pass $25.00 Disabled Annual Pass $25.00 Single Ride Regular $ 1.25 Senior, Disabled $ .60 Youth Free CSU Student Negotiated annual flat fee of approximately $540,000 Passfort Annual Pass $35.00 Dial-A-Ride Fares: 33 Ride Ticket $75.00 Regular $ 2.50 Lower Income: A. $ 1.25 B. $ .50 Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 18th day of November, A.D. 2003. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING November 18, 2003 RE: Fare Increase for Transfort/Dial-A-Ride The City of Fort Collins is proposing fare increases for Transfort/Dial-A-Ride bus service. The proposed fazes are indicated below: Transfort Fare: $1.25 Senior/Disabled Fare: $.60 Youth: Free Transfers: Free Transfort Monthly Pass: $25.00 Transfort 10-Ride Pass: $9.00 Transfort Disabled Pass: $25.00 Transfort Senior Pass: $25.00 Dial-A-Ride Fare: $2.50 Dial-A-Ride Lower Income A: $1.25 Dial-A-Ride Lower Income B: $.50 Dial-A-Ride 33 Ride Ticket: $75.00 The proposed fare increases are needed to help defer increased transit operating costs. The proposal will be presented to City Council for a decision on November 18, 2003 at 6pm. If you have questions or comments about the proposed increases, you may call (970)224-6161 or send an email to sgriffith@fcgov.com Transportation Services Transfort ' Dial-A-Ride 'Off 404� I ra& -itv of Fort Collins MEMORANDUM DATE: October 15, 2003 TO: Mayor and City Council Members THRU: John F. Fischbach, City Manager Roil Phillips, Transportation Services Director FROM: Marlys Sinner, Transfort/Dial-A-Ride Operations Manager Thomas L. Frazier, Transfort/Dial-A-Ride General Manager RE: OCTOBER 14, STUDY SESSION SUMMARY— TRANSFORT/DIAL-A-RIDE FEES AND FARES Council Members present: Mayor Ray Martinez, Mayor Pro Tern William Bertschy, and Council Members David Roy, Marty Tharp, Kurt Kastein, Karen Weitkunat, and Eric Hamrick. Staff Present: John F. Fischbach, Ron Phillips, Diane Jones, Marlys Sittner, Thomas L. Frazier The purpose of the study session was to determine if City Council wanted to change the fares/fees for riders on the fixed route/paratransit (Dial-A-Ride) bus system. The Council direction was to increase fares/fees for the fixed route and Dial-A-Ride transit services by 25% except for Youth fares and Dial-A-Ride Special low income fare. The Youth fares will remain the same, no charge. Council directed staff to prepare a report on "Youth Ridership to School", documenting the cost for that service. Council plans to present this report to the school board. Council asked staff to continue negotiations with the Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) and Colorado State University (CSU) administration to increase their payment for transit service. TRANSFORT • 6570 Fortner Road • Fort Collins,CO 80525-4194 • (970)221-6620 • FAX(970)221-6285 DIAL-A-RIDE • 6570 Fortner Road • Fort Collins,CO 80525-4194 • (970)''^4-6066 • FAX(970)221-6285 Other items discussed but not included for Council action: • Weekdays free for Youth with fares charged for weekends • Increasing Youth Fare to .25 cents • No increased fare for Dial-A-Ride transit services Discussion was held on providing discounts to low income individuals. Currently and included as part of the proposed fare increases for 2004, discounts are provided for seniors, disabled, and persons who have a Medicaid Health card. Additionally, half-priced passes are sold to Foothills Gateway, Larimer County Workforce Center, New Bridges, Larimer County Probation Department, Latimer County Department of Health and Human Services, and Larimer County Corrections. As part of assisting people who are identified by agencies as "very needy", Transfort distributes free ride tickets (in 2002, 8400 tickets were distributed to 32 social service agencies). The next step is to present the above proposed fare increases to City Council for a decision on November 18, 2003. In conformance to federal policies, the fare increase item will be identified as a Public Hearing for citizens to voice their support or concerns. DATE: October 14, 2003 STUDY SESSION ITEM STAFF: Tom Frazier FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL Marlys Sittner SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION Establishing the Fees and Fares for Trap sfort/Dial-A-Ride for 2004-2005. GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED Staff is seeking direction on increasing Transfort/Dial-A-Ride fares and fees. The City Council requested the examination of the fees and fares for Transfort/Dial-A-Ride in 2002. Fort Collins' existing fare policy and fare strategy was evaluated for consistency of goals,equity among ridership groups, and was compared to regional peer organizations. At the May 28, 2002 Study Session, findings were presented from the fare/fee study conducted by KA Associates of Kansas City. Council all agreed that the Youth fare should be $.25 with accommodations for youth who couldn't afford the new fare. Council agreed the Elderly/Disabled Annual Pass should increase and Council directed staff to increase the other fixed route fares by 25% to help cover the future cost for Dial-a-ride operational expenses. There was significant discussion regarding increasing the Dial-a-Ride fares, however, there was an interest in maintaining a reduced fare for individual s with financial limitations. Council also directed staff to pursue increasing the CSU student's transit fees for the next contract period. Due to the ridership impact of the route changes and the potential impact of reduced ridership caused by major fare increase, staff proposed no significant changes in fares for 2003. In particular, staff did not support a youth fare increase because of the potential 59% reduction of youth ridership. At the July 19,2002 Council meeting,based on Council's direction,staff presented a Resolution that would increase fares and fees. Council tabled the issue until after the ASCSU/CSU negotiations were completed. Staff has completed part of the ASCSU/CSU negotiations. The initial negotiations resulted in a one- year agreement for a flat annual fee equal to the payment from the previous contract year. In addition, staff renegotiated the night service agreement,which included redesigning the routes with ASCSU paying 100%of the night service costs. Staff is continuing negotiations to finalize a 3-year contract for 2004 through 2007 with a fee increase. ASCSU/CSU is opposed to any fee increase. Public input was included as a significant part of the 2002 fare study and feedback was gathered from numerous impacted groups. A summary of the input is attached. October 14, 2003 Page 2 Pending Council direction,the new fares would be effective January 1, 2004. Proposed fares are as follows: TRANSFORT FARES CURRENT PROPOSED 10 Ride $ 7.00 $ 9.00 Monthly Pass $ 19.00 $ 25.00 Senior Annual Pass $ 19.00 $ 25.00 Disabled Annual Pass $ 19.00 $ 25.00 Youth Monthly FREE $ 10.00 Single Ride Regular $ 1.00 $ 1.25 Senior, Disabled $ .50 $ .60 Youth FREE $ .25 Transfers FREE FREE CSU Student $ 12.19/semester $ 12.19/semester Passfort Annual Pass $ 35.00 $ 35.00 DIAL-A-RIDE FARES 33 Ride Ticket $ 60.00 $ 75.00 Regular $ 2.00 $ 2.50 Lower Income A. $ 1.00 $ 1.25 B. $ .50 $ .50 As noted it the previous presentation to Council,staff is projecting a decrease in ridership with a fare increase, however, a range from the projected decrease to no decrease is demonstrated in the following charts: Fare Increase to $1.25 Full Fare- Fixed Current Reduced Stable Rt. $1.00 Ridership Ridership Projected Ridership 111,188 91,174 111,188 Projected Revenue $111,188 $113,968 $138,985 Variance $2 780 $ 27,797