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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/21/2008 19 Public Transportation Fares Schedule Revision; YMC Adding 7.90.020 • BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Q Item No. V 1 For Meeting of: October 21, 2008 ITEM TITLE: Consideration of an Ordinance amending Chapter 7.90 of the Yakima Municipal Code to "Transit"; revising the schedule of fares for the City's public transportation system; and adding section 7.90.020 to the Yakima Municipal Code SUBMITTED BY: Chris Waarvick, Director of Public Works Ken Mehin, Transit Manager CONTACT PERSON/TELEPHONE: Ken Mehin/576-6415 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: Public hearings were conducted on September 16 and 23, 2008, receiving public comments about proposals to increase transit fares. Participation results of a two-day passenger survey (September 24 & 25, 2008) were also presented. The last fare increase took place in 1995. The fare increase would offset a portion of increased fuel and operational costs. At the Study Session held on October 14, 2008, staff was directed to prepare p pa re legislation increasing walk -on fares for Adults ($0.75), Youth ($0.50), and Reduced ($0.35). Passes would remain at the current rate and Dial -A -Ride continues to be double the walk -on price ($1.50). The fare adjustments will be factored into the 2009 operating budget. The Transit Fare increase would take effect January 1, 2009. Resolution _ Ordinance X Other (Specify Contact Person: Funding Source:. Transit Fares APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: ' � City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff respectfully requests City Council to pass the Ordinance authorizing the Transit Fare adjustments as described in the attached Ordinance. BOARD /COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: The Council Transit/Transportation Committee supports processing the fare adjustment through the full Council. COUNCIL ACTION: • ORDINANCE NO. 2008- AN ORDINANCE relating to public transportation, amending the title of Chapter 7.90 of the Yakima Municipal Code to "Transit"; revising the schedule of fares for the City of Yakima's public transportation system known as Yakima Transit, said fares previously having been set by Resolution; and adding section 7.90.020 to the Yakima Municipal Code. WHEREAS, .Chapter 7.90 of Yakima Municipal Code is currently titled "Transit Center Hours" and should be amended to the more general title of "Transit" to represent other relevant aspects of the public transit system; and WHEREAS, the City of Yakima Transit Division is faced with increasing costs, including significantly escalated costs of fuel; and WHEREAS, the Transit Division is dedicated to maintaining the current level of service . for the benefit of the community; and WHEREAS, the Transit Division has not had an increase in fares since 1995, NOW, THEREFORE, 40 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF YAKIMA: Section 1. Chapter 7.90 of the Yakima Municipal Code is hereby amended to "Transit". Section 2. Section 7.90.020 is hereby enacted as a new Section to Chapter 7.90 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code to read as follows: "Chapter 7.90.020 Transit Fees The Transit Division fare rates, effective January 1, 2009, are as follows: A. Adult Fare. . (1) Except as provided in sub - paragraph A(2) or paragraphs B and C of this ordinance, a fare of seventy five cents ($.75), referred to as an "adult fare", shall be collected from each transit passenger for each trip taken on a transit bus, "trip" being defined for purposes of this Chapter as the duration of a single transport from the point of a passenger entering the bus to the point of the passenger exiting the bus. (2) An adult holding a current and valid monthly adult pass issued by the City of Yakima Transit Division for a fee of Seventeen Dollars ($17.00) per month shall be entitled to ride any Yakima City transit bus an unlimited number of times, and at any time, by exhibiting such pass to the bus driver. B. Youth Fare. (1) Except as provided in sub - paragraph B(2) of this resolution, a fare of fifty cents ($.50), referred to as a "youth fare ", shall be collected from each passenger who is between the ages of six (6) and eighteen (18) years of age for each trip taken on a transit bus. No fare shall be required for a passenger five (5) years of age or III younger when attended by another passenger who pays their appropriate fare. A youth fare shall be collected from each unattended passenger under six years of ' age. (2) A passenger holding a current and valid youth bus pass issued by the City of • Yakima Transit Division, for a fee of Twelve Dollars ($12.00) per month shall be entitled to ride any Yakima City transit bus an unlimited number of times, and at any time, by exhibiting such pass to the bus driver. C. Reduced Fare. (1) "Reduced Fare" Defined. "Reduced Fare" shall mean a fare available to a person who has in his/her possession a Reduced Fare ID card and meets the following requirements: (a) Is a person sixty -two (62) years of age or older; or (b) Is a person with disabilities and Medicare cardholders. (2) "Reduced Fare" Rates. (a) A fare of thirty -five cents ($.35) shall be collected from each "Reduced Fare" bus passenger. (b) A passenger holding a current and valid "Reduced Fare Bus Pass" issued by the City of Yakima Transit Division for the fee of Five Dollars ($5.00) per month shall be entitled to ride any Yakima City transit bus an unlimited number of times by exhibiting such pass to the bus driver. __ D. Dial -A -Ride Fare. A fare of One Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50), referred to as the "Dial -A -Ride Fare ", shall be collected from each passenger who has been pre - qualified by the City as being eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act for Dial -A -Ride transport. The Dial -A -Ride Fare shall be required for each one -way trip made on the demand responsive service provided by the City of Yakima and referred to as Dial -A -Ride, for qualified individuals with disabilities and subject to the following conditions: (a) The Dial -A -Ride fare will not be collected from an attendant accompanying a Dial -A -Ride passenger who has been authorized and pre - approved by the City as requiring a Personal Care Attendant. (b) The Dial -A -Ride fare will be collected from each person six (6) years of age or older who accompanies the disabled passenger, except as provided in subsection (a) of this paragraph, and in accord with the established Dial -A -Ride Operating Rules." Section 3. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its passage, approval and publication as provided by law and by the City Charter. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved this 21s day of October, 2008. ATTEST: David Edler, Mayor City Clerk Publication Date: Effective Date: 110 • STUDY SESSION MEMORANDUM October 14, 2008 TO: Honorable Mayor, Members of the City Council, and Dick Zais, City Manager FROM: Ken Mehin, Transit Manager SUBJECT: Study Session on Alternatives of Adjusting the Current Fare Policy Transit staff had proposed in the preparation of the 2008 Budget that transit fares be nominally increased to reflect an awareness of the length of time it has been since the last fare adjustment and to offset, albeit marginally, the increase in costs to operate the system. Since that time, fuel prices have risen dramatically again and created the need for two alternatives for rate adjustment consideration; one more comprehensive than the other in adjustments with higher revenue -- generation._ User rates generate $352,000 or 4.45% of total 2008 revenues. The larger the system, the more important user rates become. Staff has followed federal guidance in the process of considering fare adjustment. Two Public Hearings have been held and comments taken. A survey has been done and results will be provided. This Study Session is for City Council to examine the rate increase proposals and citizen comments prior to a vote on the preferred option. Formal action on the fare adjustment is 41) scheduled for October 21, 2008. The fare adjustments will be factored into the 2009 operating budget. The following are the alternative proposals to the current fare policy: Yakima Transit Fare Increase Proposals Adult Youth Reduced Adult Youth Reduced Cash Cash Cash fare fare fare Pass Pass Pass CURRENT FARES $0.50 $035 $0.25. $17.00 $12.00 $5.00 PROPOSED FARES 1 $0.75 $0.50 $0.35 $17.00 $12.00 $5.00 PROPOSED FARES 2 $0.75 $0.50 $0.35 $20.00 $15.00 $8.00 Note: The Dial -A -Ride fare is currently twice the Regular Adult Cash Fare. Staff recommends that Council conduct the Study Session and provide direction on which fare adjustment proposal to bring back to Council for formal action. List of attachments: ' ❖ The passenger opinion survey sheet (the results will be presented at the meeting). ❖ Excerpt from September 16, 2008 City Council Minutes -- Public Hearing to consider a fb Transit Fare Adjustment Yakima Transit Bus Fare Increase Survey - 2008 Q1. Where is your primary destination on the bus? 1 Work 410 2 School 3 Shopping 4 Medical 5 Other Q2. How often do you ride the bus? 4 4 or more times a week 3 1 to 3 times a week 2 1 to 3 times per month 1 Less than once a month Q3. Do you have another option for transportation other than the bus? 1 Yes - If yes, what is it? 2 No Q4. Transit has not increased the fare since 1995. The Yakima City Council is reviewing an increase now. The Adult cash fare will go from 50¢ to 75¢. Do you think that is a reasonable increase to help cover the cost of fuel? 1 Yes 2 No - If no, why is that? Q5. Are you happy with the transit system the way it is? 1 Yes 2 No - If no, why it is? Supplemental questions Q6. How likely would you be to use extended hours on weekdays? 5 Definitely Should bus service be extended 4 Probably from 5a.m. to 10p.m. additional 3 Might or might not funding will be needed for 2 Probably not providing this service. 1 Definitely not Q7. How likely would you be to use Sunday service? 5 Definitely Service hours to mirror Saturday 4 Probably service levels. To provide Sunday 3 Might or might not service additional funding will be 2 Probably not needed. 1 Definitely not • Excerpt from the Minutes of the YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 — 5:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS — YAKIMA CITY HALL 6:00 P.M. — PUBLIC SESSION 1. RoII Call Present: Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding, Assistant Mayor Micah Cawley, Council Members Rick Ensey, Norm Johnson, Bill Lover and Neil McClure Staff: City Manager Zais, Acting City Attorney Harvey, and City Clerk Moore 7. Public Hearing to consider a Transit fare adjustment proposal Ken Mehin, Transit Manager, proposed two alternatives for a fare increase: 1) cash increase for walk -ons only, or 2) cash increase and an increase on monthly passes. There is a second public hearing scheduled to be held on September 23 at 4 p.m. in • Council Chambers. It was pointed out that the fare increase would not cover the fuel cost increases, but is an attempt to help offset them. Council Member McClure advised that the recommendation from the Transit Committee was for Option 1. It was their intent to not impact those that use Transit as a primary mode of transportation and obtain bus passes. • Mayor Edler opened the public hearing. Mary McDaniels, 924 S. 16 Avenue, said she supports a transit increase as we need to financially support the bus system. Don Meighan, 312 N. 4 Street, asked questions about federal money in the transportation budget.. He suggested that the federal government probably wouldn't give more money, but they may be amenable to forgiving the federal gas tax for transit. He also asked about the potential of having a phone line for call -ins from viewers of the various televised committee meetings. He closed by saying he would be in favor of increasing the senior rate to 50 cents as we all should be doing our share Lynne Kittelson said she would also support the increase for seniors. • Mayor Edler dosed the public hearing and announced the next hearing will be held September 23, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. • • YAKIMA CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED MEETING / STUDY SESSION OCTOBER 14, 2008 - 8:00 - 9:30 A.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - YAKIMA CITY HALL 1. RoII Call Present: Council: Mayor Dave Edler, presiding, Assistant Mayor Micah Cawley, Council Members Kathy Coffey, Rick Ensey, Norm Johnson, Bill Lover and Neil McClure Staff: City Manager Zais, Acting City Attorney Cutter, and City Clerk Moore Mayor Edier introduced Paige Delp from East Valley High School who is participating in the Job Share Program. 2. Alternatives of Adjusting the Current Transit Fare Policy City Manager Zais clarified that this was a 2008 budget policy issue approved by ® Council. It recently went through the formal public hearing process. The proposed increase is due to increasing costs, especially fuel. Transit is the single biggest consumer of fuel in City of Yakima. Ken Mehin, Transit Manager, spoke about the two public hearings and participation in a two -day passenger survey. The public hearings were poorly attended; of the six people attending, five supported the increase and one requested free bus service. There were 125 responses to the survey with a clear indication that people are supportive of the fare increase (82 %). Mr. Mehin reviewed the results and pointed out that 75% said they were satisfied with the current bus service and there were requests for additional services, e.g. expanded hours and Sunday service. Council Member Lover raised the subject of Dial -A -Ride expressing his concern with handicap people using Yakima's Dial -A -Ride and having to change to a Union Gap Dial -A -Ride service at the City limits to continue into Union Gap. He asked if there were any arrangements that could be made to eliminate the need to change vehicles. Karen Allen, Program Administrator, advised that it has been a long standing City Council decision to use the city limits as the paratransit boundary. While the City of Union Gap and Yakima have been under contract (as well as Selah), the boundaries were expanded to those cities' limits. There are a number of options that could be considered, e.g. Americans with Disability Act allows a 1/4 mile boundary around all existing transit routes, or we could extend it according to federal regulations, up to fifteen miles. OCTOBER 14, 2008— STUDY SESSION TRANSIT FARE POLICY Discussion covered whether medical and personal trips could be handled separately. That is not allowed. It was noted that Dial -A -Ride is not a service based on ability to pay, but on physical assessment. Union Gap's decision to sever the contractual relationship was discussed and it was noted that if we decide to extend Dial -A -Ride service into Union Gap, we will also be extending Yakima's citizens shopping in Union Gap and generating their sales tax revenues. It was asked how many trips are related to medical versus shopping and Mrs. Allen advised that, although they keep records of destinations, it is by address and not by destination name making it difficult to make that distinction. Council Member Coffey suggested that the Council is not prepared to discuss the Dial -A -Ride issue yet as there are questions that need to be answered before decisions can be made. Mayor Edler brought the discussion back to the subject of the transit fare increase. Council Member McClure, as chair of the Transit Committee, offered their recommendations. He pointed out that the original request for a fare increase began more than a year ago when fuel was still below $3 a gallon. Fares have not increased since 1995, nor have the Dial -A -Ride fee. The committee recommends Proposal 1 that would increase the cash fares and Dial -A -Ride as a result of it • being twice the current regular adult cash fare. McCLURE MOVED AND JOHNSON SECONDED TO HAVE LEGISLATION PREPARED THAT WOULD INCREASE TRANSIT WALK -ON FEES TO THOSE PROVIDED IN OPTION 1; ADULT- $0.75, YOUTH- $0.50, REDUCED- $0.35, AND KEEP THE PASSES AT THE CURRENT RATE WHILE MAINTAINING THE RELATIONSHIP WITH DIAL - A -RIDE AT DOUBLE THE WALK -ON PRICE. Discussion covered the suggestion of increasing passes as well. Increasing the walk -on fare would cover about 25% of the increased expenses while increasing across the board would generate about 40 %. But, there is a concern that could cause monthly pass use to go down. It was noted that transit funding is 70% sales tax, 25% federal money, and 5% bus fares. The motion carried by a 6 -1 roll call vote; Edler voting nay. The discussion went back to the Dial -A -Ride issue. Council Member Ensey suggested that the issue be discussed by the Transit Committee to determine what it would cost to extend the service and what other options there were. Mr. Mehin reminded Council that the Union Gap contract is over at the end of November. Mayor Edler made a point that, with regard to Union Gap's decision to discontinue the integrated service, one of the ways to bring political pressure is by allowing citizens to experience the repercussions of the politician's decisions, He feels that one of the mistakes we have made with regard to the initiative process is trying to hide much of the impacts and causing things to crumble later. Council Member Lover said he feels just the opposite, the unintended consequences should be dealt with as best we can. Council Member Coffey asked what Union Gap is doing with their Dial -A -Ride when their citizens need to come into Yakima. Mr. Mehin advised that Union Gap chose to go with the fifteen mile radius and their service is free. • OCTOBER 14, 2008 — STUDY SESSION TRANSIT FARE POLICY 3. Audience comments No one came forward to speak. 4. Adjournment Mayor Edler adjourned the study session at 8:42 a.m. READ AND CERTIFIED ACCURATE BY COUNCIL MEMBER DATE COUNCIL MEMBER DATE ATTEST: • CITY CLERK DAVID EDLER, MAYOR Minutes prepared by Deputy City Clerk Watkins. A CD and DVD of this meeting are available in the City Clerk's Office •