Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04-02 - AGENDA REPORTS - TRANS FARES (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Boyer and Councilmembers FROM: George Caravalho, City Manager DATE: April 2, 1996 ic SUBJECT: CHANGES IN TRANSIT OPERATIONS AND FARES During the next six months, Santa Clarita Transit will be undergoing two and possibly three transformations, which should improve the delivery of transit services in the Santa Clarita Valley. Furthermore in conjunction with these changes, staff is exploring possible changes to the fare structure. The first transformation will be the awarding of a new contract(s) for providing all fixed route and dial -a -ride services. The current contract for fixed routes service (except services operated to the San Fernando and Antelope Valley) and dial -a -ride service expires August 4, 1996. The contract for service to the San Fernando and Antelope Valley expires August 31, 1996. A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued, seeking a contractor to operate all services currently operated under both contracts for a five year period commencing August S, 1996. The RFP does allow proposers to submit a proposal only for fixed route or dial -a -ride services and for the city to award separate fixed route and dial -a -ride contracts. The focus of this RFP is improving the service quality of all transit operations. Staff will summarize these changes as part of the study session presentation. The second transformation will be changes to the dial -a -ride operation that are tentatively scheduled to take effect September 3, 1996. These changes are designed to bring Santa Clarita Transit into full compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), however all dial -a- ride customers will benefit. Access Services Inc. (ASI), a non profit agency charged with funding ADA compliance in Los Angeles County using Prop. C funds, will contract with Santa Clarita Transit to enhance existing dial -a -ride operations instead of establishing a separate demand response service as has been done in most other areas of Los Angeles County. Among the enhancements that ASI will fund include longer operating hours, expand dial -a -ride service to Sylmar and the Antelope Valley, and improve reservations procedures to allow trips to be scheduled up to 14 days in advance as well as on the same day as the trip. Agenda Item:.. The third potential change is a new relationship with the William S. Hart Union High School District. Among the issues being discussed by the City and School District staff includes a cooperative service arrangement to avoid overlapping services, better match demand to capacity and make the best use of limited resources; sharing the cost of providing bus monitors; and possible use by Santa Clarita Transit of a portion of the School District's transportation facility. Any service changes that may result from these discussions would be implemented in September 1996, when the new school year begins. Staff is exploring adjustments to fares as they relate to dial -a -ride service and youth fares on local fixed route service. Currently dial -a -ride has a 2% fare box recovery. The ADA allows dial -a - ride fares to be double the base fare for fixed route service, therefore fares could be raised as high as $1.50. This is the fare currently changed on many Los Angeles County para -transit operations including the Antelope Valley: The monthly youth pass for local fixed route service is $10, half the adult pass rate as well as half the charge levied by the Hart School District for travel on school buses. In order for service coordination to work as proposed above, fares between the two agencies need to equalized. Many transit systems throughout California do not offer discounts for students and most who do offer smaller discounts than what Santa Clarita Transit currently provides. Tonight's session will present a more detailed description of the issues discussed above. Receive staff report.