HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-07-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - COMMUTE CONNECTION PROJECT (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
DATE: July 14, 1998
City ManageWpproval-.-o .
Item to be presented by: Paul Zaengle
SUBJECT: COMMUTE CONNECTION PROJECT
DEPARTMENT: City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council receive report regarding the Commute Connection and provide direction.
BACKGROUND
At the meeting of June 23;1998, the Council adopted the proposed 1998/99 Fiscal Year Budget
and funded an additional transit service, entitled the Commute Connection. At the request of
the Mayor, this report outlines the details of the Commute Connection for the Council.
Description:
The Commute Connection project would consist of two alternate -fueled vehicles, seating 14 —
20 passengers, connecting with each train arriving from the Los Angeles Basin and the
Antelope Valley in the morning. One vehicle would serve Valencia Boulevard office buildings,
the Valencia Corporate Center, and the Magic Mountain employee gate. The other vehicle
would serve the Industrial Center and Commerce Center. In the evening,. the reverse would
take place.
Funding:
The following table outlines the project's funding:
Vehicles
Operations
TOTAL
1998/99
1999/2000
2000/2001
MTA Grant
City Match
MTA Grant
City Match
MTA Grant
City Match
$64,000
$86,000
$0
$0
$0
$0
23,000
50,000
53 000
94,000
0
147,000
$87,000
$136,000
$53,000
$94,000
$0
$147,000
The grant is for two years for a total of $140,000. The City's portion, $136,000 the first year
and $94,000 the second year, would be paid using transit funds. As shown, the operating cost
for the first year is $73,000, and in each subsequent year it will be $147,000.
Benefits:
The Commute Connection will have several significant benefits.
• By targeting non-residents who must now drive to work, this service would reduce traffic
on Santa Clarita roads, thus reducing vehicle emissions.
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Local residents would benefit as well, as this would be the only transit service to the Magic
Mountain employee gate and the Valencia Commerce Center. It would also provide the only
peak service to the Valencia Corporate Center.
The grant is for a demonstration project. If the service fails to generate sufficient ridership
(at least 14 passengers per vehicle hour), it will be cancelled. If one route succeeds and the
other does not, the successful service will be retained and the failing service cancelled. The
vans can be used for other transit services if the project is discontinued.
Drawbacks:
As mentioned, this project did not get funded through the internal 1998/99 Budget decision
package process for the following reasons.
• It is targeted to non-residents,making it easier for them to work in the Santa Clarita
Valley. A recent Economic Development poll of residents that work outside the Santa
Clarita Valley revealed that 45% of those surveyed would be willing to take a 10% cut in
pay for a similar job locally.
• The grant is limited to two years, and to keep the service, the City would have to fund the
full operational cost of $147,000.
• Based on current calculations and projected funding levels, this project would create a
negative balance in the City's transit funds by the 1999/2000 Fiscal Year. Funding for
transit comes from several different sources, both County and Federal based. These sources
are very susceptible to changes in the economy and the political arena, making future
projections difficult. Based on these factors, the current negative trend forecasted for Fiscal
Year 1999/2000 may correct itself.
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