HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/11/2014 07 Elimination of Sunday Transit Services and Yakima/Ellensburg Commuter Bus ServiceBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No.
For Meeting of: 3/11/2014
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ITEM TITLE:
Consideration of eliminating Yakima Transit Services Due to
Lack of State Funding:
Item A. Elimination of Sunday Service for Fixed Transit
Routes.
Item B. Elimination of Yakima/Ellensburg Commuter Bus
Service.
SUBMITTED BY: Scott Schafer, Public Works Director, 576-6411
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The elimination of State funding is having an affect on current Yakima Transit services. The
first is Sunday Service which serves six fixed transit routes each Sunday from 8:45 am - 4:00
pm. This service costs approximately $198,000 per year to operate; City of Selah funds Route
10 in the amount of $33,000 with the City funding the remaining fixed routes in the amount of
$165,000. Various grants have funded this service the past three years; the last being funded
under a Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Grant that will expire on April 13, 2014. There is no
further grant availability for this service.
Dial -A -Ride (DAR) services will continue on Sundays even after the elimination of the Sunday
Service for the fixed transit routes since it is not funded by the grant. The hours of operation
currently coincide with the schedule of the fixed transit routes but will be condensed for
efficiency since DAR ridership is heavy utilized during the earlier hours of Sunday Service.
The second service affected by the elimination of State funding is the Yakima/Ellensburg
Commuter Bus Service, which in 2013 averaged 8.2 passengers/hour in ridership and cost
$531,624, of which $65,000 or 12% is contributed by the City of Yakima. Because RCW §
35.84.060 prohibits city -owned transit agencies such as Yakima Transit from operating more
than fifteen miles from their corporate limits, WSDOT allowed HopeSource to manage the
grant. The buses are owned by Yakima Transit, but driven and maintained by HopeSource.
Yakima Transit cannot afford to purchase new or newer buses for this service and the existing
buses are well past their useful life expectancy; resulting in high maintenance costs.
HopeSource cannot afford to continue maintaining them and the State has made it clear that no
further state funding would be made available for this service including the purchase of more
reliable buses. Without the support from the State, this service will also need to be eliminated
and is recommended to cease effective July 1, 2014.
Attached for your review in more detail are the following memos:
Memo Item A - Request for the elimination of Sunday Services for Fixed Transit Routes.
Memo Item B - Request for the elimination of the Yakima/Ellensburg Commuter Bus Service.
Resolution: Ordinance:
Other (Specify): Memos
Contract: Contract Term:
Start Date: End Date:
Item Budgeted: Amount:
Funding Source/Fiscal
Impact:
Strategic Priority:
Insurance Required? No
Mail to:
Phone:
APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL:
RECOMMENDATION:
Public Trust and Accountability
City Manager
Due to the lack of State funding, staff respectfully requests City Council approve the elimination
of Sunday Service for all fixed transit routes effective April 13, 2014, with the hours for Dial -A -
Ride condensed down to five hours on Sundays, and the elimination of the Yakima/Ellensburg
Commuter Bus Service effective July 1, 2014.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Memo - Elimination of Sunday Service for Fixed
Transit Routes
Memo - Elimination of Yakima/Ellensburq
Commuter Service
Upload Date Type
3/3/2014 Cover Memo
3/3/2014 Cover Memo
Item A
Informational Item
Date: March 3, 2014
To: Honorable Mayor, Members of City Council, City Manager
From: Scott Schafer, Public Works Director
Subject: Elimination of Sunday Service for Fixed Transit Routes
Sunday Service has been provided by Yakima Transit since April of 2011. The service consists
of six fixed transit routes operating a 7.25 -hour period each Sunday from 8:45 am - 4:00 pm.
Route 9 is the only exception, servicing just past 4:00 pm on its way back to Public Works. All
six routes operate on the hour.
Various grants have funded the Sunday Service the past three years; the last being funded
under a Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Grant and will expire on April 13, 2014. Yakima
Transit is not eligible for further grant funding for Sunday Service in accordance with the
Washington State Department of Transportation funding cycle until July 1, 2015. It costs
approximately $198,000 per year to operate the six fixed routes for the Sunday Service. The
City of Selah funds Route 10 in the amount of $33,000 with the City of Yakima funding the
remaining fixed routes in the amount of $165,000.
Since the inception of the Sunday Service program, ridership has averaged 18 passengers per
hour or 791 passengers per Sunday. Diagram below depicts the average Sunday Service
ridership per route for the past three years.
Hourly
Service
8:45
9:45
10:45
11:45
12:45
13:45
14:45
15:45
Hourly
Average
Per Route
Sunday Service Ridership
(2011, 2012, and 2013)
Sunday Routes
Hourly
Average Ridership
Averages
All Routes
Rt 1
Rt 2
Rt 4
Rt 6
Rt 9
Rt 10
7.5
15.1
12.2
11.2
11.9
12.5
12
11.9
18
15.6
22
16.9
12.3
16
11.2
19.2
14.7
23.7
24.5
13.4
18
11.8
27.1
17.1
28.1
18.7
16.7
20
11.9
27.5
19.9
34.7
21.6
18.6
22
13.7
31.3
21.7
29.9
20.7
16.6
22
10.8
22.9
17.5
22.1
21.1
13.9
18
5.2
15
15.4
26.9
16.2
16
11
22
17
23
20
15
Averaging at 18 passengers per hour at a cost of approximately $5.83 per passenger, this
service has been very successful and is very comparable to the 2013 averages of all of the fixed
routes (weekdays and weekends) at 23 passengers per hour at a cost of $5.00 per passenger.
Yakima Transit will continue to provide Dial -A -Ride services on Sundays even after the
elimination of Sunday Service for the fixed transit routes. Costs for Dial -A -Ride in providing
Sunday Service is approximately $50,000 per year and is not funded by the grant. The hours of
operation currently coincide with the schedule of the fixed transit routes (8:45 am - 4:00 pm).
Ridership of Dial -A -Ride indicates heavy utilization during the earlier hours of Sunday Service,
with very few being requested past 1:45 pm. A quick review of the Dial -A -Ride trips scheduled
on Sundays for the month of December 2013 and the first two weeks of January 2014 indicated
that at of the 117 trips, 12 were taken after 1:45p. To increase cost efficiency, Dial -A -Ride will
be modified to 8:45am - 1:45pm (5hrs) on Sundays beginning April 13, 2014.
When the Yakima/Ellensburg Commuter is cancelled later this year due to the lack of state
funding, a cost savings of approximately $65,000 per year will be recognized by Yakima Transit.
This could be applied to the cost of Sunday Service fixed routes. However, Yakima Transit
would still need to fund an additional $100,000 per year for the service as it cannot count on
future State funding. This amount would be in addition to the $300,000 already committed each
year for capital reinvestment.
It is extremely unfortunate that grant funding from the State is set to expire in April. Even
though this service has been extremely popular and successful with the citizens, the City does
not have the financial means to support and continue the service without grant funding. A
Public Hearing is not required.
Staff respectfully requests City Council approve the elimination of Sunday Service for all fixed
transit routes due to the lack of state funding effective April 13, 2014, with the hours for Dial -A -
Ride condensed down to five hours on Sundays.
Item B
Informational Item
Date: March 3, 2014
To: Honorable Mayor, Members of City Council, City Manager
From: Scott Schafer, Public Works Director
Subject: Elimination of Yakima/Ellensburg Commuter Bus Service
The Yakima -Ellensburg Commuter started in November of 2011 in an effort to provide
transportation services for students and teachers traveling to either the Yakima Valley
Community College or Central Washington University. The Yakima -Ellensburg
Commuter is supported by Yakima Transit along with WSDOT, HopeSource, and
Central Washington University. It is funded under a two-year state grant in the amount
of $1,063,247 with costs distributed as follows:
• WSDOT (mix of State and Federal funds): $422,247
• Fares: $377,000
• City of Yakima (Yakima Transit): $132,000
• Central Washington University: $120,000
• City of Selah (Selah Transit): $10,000
• HopeSource (the Contractor, non-profit organization): $2,000
The Yakima/Ellensburg Commuter Bus Service has been highly successful with
ridership increasing the second year. Below is a summary of the data.
Yakima/Ellensburg Commuter Bus Service
(2012-2013)
2012 2013*
Riders/Year 39,415 54,000
Ridership Per Hour 6.82 9.31
Average Cost/Rider $18.11 $11.33
System Cost/Year $713,906 $611,908
Revenue/Year $128,099 $188,500
* Projected numbers for year-end
Currently, RCW § 35.84.060 prohibits city -owned transit agencies such as Yakima
Transit from operating more than fifteen miles from their corporate limits. WSDOT
allowed Yakima Transit to transfer grant management to HopeSource to adhere to the
requirements of this RCW. Therefore, the Commuter buses are owned by Yakima
Transit, but driven and maintained by HopeSource. This is significant because Yakima
Transit cannot afford to purchase new or newer buses for this service and the existing
buses are well past their useful life expectancy. Due to the high maintenance required
of these older buses, HopeSource announced that it cannot afford to continue
maintaining them.
The State has made it clear to the City that no further state funding would be made
available for this service including the purchase of more reliable buses. Without this
support from state, this highly successful service will need to be eliminated and will save
Yakima Transit approximately $65,000 per year.
Staff respectfully requests City Council approve the elimination of the Yakima/Ellensburg
Commuter Bus Service due to the lack of state funding effective July 1, 2014 when
school is out and the ridership is historically at its lowest point for the year.
Distributed at the
Meeting 3-1(111 0 1
Mayor Cawley, March 11, 2014
And Councilmembers,
Kittitas County has enjoyed a partnership of Yakima Transit, Washington Dept. of Transportation,
Central Washington University, and HopeSource. As former mayor of Ellensburg I am aware of the need
for intercity commuter connections for many years. As former board member of HopeSource I am aware
of how much work has been done to make this commuter connection come to life. As current chair of a
four county transportation board called QUADCO I am aware that the Yakima Ellensburg commuter
connection is praised outside of Yakima, specifically because it has the second highest payment by the
riders towards expenses in the state of Washington. I am not able to quote numbers but I can give you
some examples of the ridership that uses this commuter connection regularly.
There are people who work in both Yakima and Ellensburg that keep their expenses under
control by using the Commuter. Some of these are teachers and instructors in the schools and colleges. I
met a lady last week who asked that I give her a lift to meet the commuter so she could get to her job as
a substitute teacher in the Yakima School District. She does not have a car and depends on the
commuter. She told me this is by choice because she also teaches overseas and not having a car affords
her the freedom to travel as needed.
There are people who go to Yakima to shop. There are also those people that use the commuter
to get to their doctors. As community leaders we all want local opportunities to meet all of our citizen's
needs, but that may not always be possible.
There are people who use the commuter to reach families. I was told of a lady who uses the
commuter to get to Selah to visit her grandchildren. I was told pointedly that I did not want to get in the
way of that lady and her visits with her grandchildren.
Lastly, I feel the need to point out that there are people who ride the commuter to be able to
visit with their young children because their children are in foster care and the parents are keeping
contact while they work through their issues with rehab or the courts. These parents have a very hard
uphill climb towards the goal of regaining custody of their children. Without the commuter they may not
be able to see their children.
Let's give all these people a chance to get to where they need to go by riding the Yakima -
Ellensburg Commuter. Please consider delaying any action stopping this valuable service to allow for
possible alternatives. It has been suggested that other funding or replacement busses may be available.
I am told that the midday routes usually have very few riders. Perhaps the smaller busses could be used
and thereby extending the life of the larger morning and evening busses. As an elected leader I really
hate being asked to rush a decision when I do not have confidence I have all the facts. You have an
opportunity to take the time to make an informed decision. Please take the time.
Obie O'Brien
Ellensburg WA
rid3111
.am
Distributed at the
Central Meeting 3-a-114 _ J
Washington
University
LEARN. DO. LIVE.
March 11, 2014
Mayor Micah Cawley
Yakima City Council
129 N. 2"d Street
Yakima, WA 98901
RE: Yakima / Ellensburg Commuter Bus Service
Dear Mayor Cawley:
It has come to my attention that at your meeting this evening there will be consideration given to
eliminating the Yakima / Ellensburg commuter bus service. Central Washington University was.a
key partner and supporter of the bus service. We knew that having such a service between our two
cities would support our students who my live in Yakima or who wanted to visit Yakima; support our
staff who live in Yakima and worked either at CWU or for other employers in the Kittitas Valley;
provide the ability of our service men and women to commute from the Yakima Training Center
where the bus stops; as well as support citizens in both of our towns. This has proven to be true as
ridership far exceeded expectations.
CWU has specifically seen a decrease in the number of permit sales, down 150 per month, in the
area where the bus picks up and delivers on campus, the Student Union and Recreation Center
(SURC). There are approximately 100 individuals being dropped off at the SURC daily. This service
not only helps the environment by decreasing the number of cars on the road, it allows individuals,
both students and employees, who would otherwise not be able to commute between our two
cities, the ability to do so.
I strongly support this vital service to both of our communities and respectfully request that a vote
on the elimination of this service be postponed until further discussion can be conducted. In
addition, the Associated Students of CWU Board of Directors, the governing body for our students,
also request that you postpone such a vote so that they may also be a part of the discussion.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Office of the President
400 East University Way • Ellensburg WA 98926-7501 • Office 509-963-2111 • Fax: 509-963-3206
Office location Barge Hall Room 314 • E-mail: CWU_President@cwu.edu • Web. www cwu edu/president
EEO/AA/TITLE IX INSTITUTION • FOR ACCOMMODATION E-MAIL. CDS(d1CWU.EDU
Ciity of iiT�[
Ell 1m s
Micah Cawley, Mayor
City of Yakima
129 North 2nd Street
Yakima, WA 98901
Mayor Cawley:
j Distributed at they
Meeting3-ice
CITY OF ELLENSBURG
501 North Anderson Street
Ellensburg, Washington 98926
Telephone: (509) 962-7221 Fax: (509) 962-7143
March 11, 2014
The City of Ellensburg is working to develop sustainable public transportation which
meets the needs those who live, work, and visit. The City's Public Transit Advisory Committee
provides advice and support for the development of public transit options to meet those needs.
The Committee if further charged with advising Council on the developing a sustainable local
funding source for public transit. Part of the Committee's charge is to,
To provide oversight and direction to current and future public transit providers
concerning, quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of the City's public transit
system, and;
The Yakima Ellensburg Commuter service is seen as a key in Zink the development of a
comprehensive public transit system for the Community. The Committee appreciates the
support your Council has provided for the system in the past. We also appreciate the difficult
decisions that Council's throughout the state have to make.
It is our understanding that you and the Council are reviewing the support needed to
ensure that the Yakima Commuter line remains a viable and vital link between communities.
The opportunity exists for Council to take time to ensure that all voices and appropriate
information informs that review and ultimate decision. The Committee supports and
encourages the Council to take that deliberate approach in forming the decision.
Thank you for your consideration. Please feel free to contact me at 509-899-0148 or
tabbb@ci.ellensburg.wa.us if clarification or further information is needed.
Sincerely yotts,
Bruce Tabb, Council Member
City of Ellensburg
Chair, City of Ellensburg Public Transit Advisory Committee
Distributed at they
Meeting 3•I I
March 11, 2014
Mayor Micah Cawley
Yakima City Council
129 N. 2nd Street
Yakima, WA 98901
RE: HopeSource Transit Authority/ Yakima Ellensburg Commuter Service
Dear Mayor Cawley,
This letter is in reference to the Yakima Ellensburg Commuter (YEC) Service that has
become a vital link for citizens who depend on this mode of transportation for everyday
living. These citizens live primarily in the cities and communities of Yakima and Kittitas
Counties. The purpose of the commuter travel is related businesses, institutions of higher
education, and professional and medical services (doctors, clinics and laboratories) and
again these daily rides are vital to everyday living for people who live primarily in Yakima
and Ellensburg.
I understand that tonight March 11, 2014 there will some action and a possible vote on
whether or not to retain the funding for this important Yakima Ellensburg Commuter
Service. I would like to recommend that the vote be delayed until some additional
information can be provided by the principal contractors and the subcontractors of this
venture. If economics is an issue perhaps the agencies that initiated the planning,
organization, fiscal support and implementation can be given the opportunity to provide
information, and highlight the positive results and outcomes of this, thus far, successful
collective agreement. I am sure the YEC decision makers given the opportunity will
provide and discuss current information, reasons, possible modifications as well as
possible additional funding.
1. Please be aware that there are data indicating a very large and increasing number of
riders from Yakima to Ellensburg and vice versa daily, weekly and monthly. This
includes students, staff and professors of CWU and Yakima Valley College. There
are also a number of people who visit both state and federal government agency
offices and Public School teachers who use the YEC as well. This transportation or
movement of people alone involves a major comprehensive university and
centrally located community college serving the constituents of central
Washington. Needless to say, this is vital to the workforce of the two cities and
lends itself to strengthening the ties, educationally, intellectually, economically
and socially.
2. The commuters bring immediate dollars into the institutions and businesses daily and
are so important for,the economic and occupational future of Yakima and Kittitas
counties. A total of the dollars from tuition and fees and also the two and four
year college degrees from YVC and CWU would be an eye opener!!
3. Senior citizens and other individuals use the commuter for transportation to medical
clinics and services, laboratories and hospitals.
4. Surely this daily movement of people that save transportation dollars in their personal
budgets transfer those savings to retailers and businesses in Yakima who collect
sales taxes which impacts the local government.
5. We must be aware that the interstate highway system and infrastructure is positively
impacted as well. For example
• Less wear and tear on 182, less traffic accidents, casualties all that reduces tax
payers money from Kittitas and Yakima Counties
• Reduction of fumes from automobiles into the atmosphere and the econ system.
• Movement of people transit, less congestion especially when roads are hazardous
from weather and accidents
In summary the YEC is just very good fiscal responsibility and excellent stewardship and
use of state tax payer dollars and funding from WSDOT and other agencies. The taxpayers
being transported can attest to the evidence above.
Please accept this letter from the HopeSource Board of Directors. We are a social service
and Community Action Agency serving low-income and senior citizens. As a
subcontractor for YEC our staff are dedicated to the daily operation(s) of this vital public
transportation service.
cerely,
es G Pappas
sident of the HopeSource Board
f