HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/28/2023 07. Free Bus Passes for Students 18 and Under 1
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 7.
For Meeting of:August 28, 2023
ITEM TITLE: Free Bus Passes for Students 18 and Under
SUBMITTED BY: Scott Schafer, Public Works Director- (509) 576-6411
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
In March 2022, the Washington State Legislature passed the Move Ahead Washington
transportation funding package. A component of this funding package provided grant funding to
cover the cost of youth fare revenue for transit agencies that adopted "fare-free" policies for
individuals 18 years of age and younger. Youth fares represent approximately 27% of Yakima
Transit's farebox revenues.
Upon City Council approval, Yakima Transit began offering this fare-free service on October 1,
2022 to those ages 18 and under on all forms of Yakima Transit services. Services include,
Yakima Transit fixed route bus service, the Yakima-Ellensburg Commuter and the Dial-A-Ride
paratransit service (for those qualified to use Dial-A-Ride). Children under the age of 6 continue
to ride Yakima Transit for free with a fare-paying adult.
Approximately 25% of Yakima Transit riders are students and since the fare-free service began,
youth ridership has substantially increased. In addition, the Move Ahead Washington
transportation funding package has provided a potential savings to the Yakima School District.
Up until October 2022, the Yakima School District provided youth passes to their students that
utilized Yakima Transit to get to and from school.
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Partnership Development
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
D Memo-Free Bus Passes for Students 18 and Under 8/21/2023
2
City of Yakima, Transit Division
2301 Fruitvale Blvd.
Main Office Phone: 575-6175
August 17, 2023
To: Yakima City Council
From: Alvie Maxey, Transit Manager
Subject: Fare-Free Youth
Dear City Council,
In March 2022, the Washington State Legislature passed the Move Ahead Washington transportation
funding package. This package provides grant funding to fully replace lost youth fare revenue for transit
agencies that adopt fare-free policies for individuals 18 years of age and younger.
During the August 16, 2022 City of Yakima Council meeting,the City Council approved an ordinance in
which Yakima Transit would utilize the Move Ahead Washington grant funding in order to provide fare-
free service for those ages 18 and under on all forms of Yakima Transit services,beginning October 1,
2022. These services include, Yakima Transit fixed route bus service,the Yakima-Ellensburg Commuter
and the Dial-A-Ride paratransit service(for those qualified to use Dial-A-Ride). Children under 6
continued to ride Yakima Transit services for free with a fare-paying adult.
Approximately 25 percent of Yakima Transit riders are students and since the fare-free service began,
youth ridership has increased substantially. In addition, the fare-free service has also provided a
significant potential savings to the Yakima School District. Prior to this fare-free program, the Yakima
School District was funding youth passes for their students utilizing Yakima Transit.
To utilize the fare-free service,those ages 18 and under need to carry proof of eligibility in the form of a
current school photo ID card, a valid government-issued ID card, passport, a birth certificate or a free
Yakima Transit Youth Card, which is preferred.
Sincerely,
Alvie Maxey,
Yakima Transit Manager