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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - FREEDOM FOR SENIORS PILOT PGM (2)CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: _— CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval Item to be presented by: January 23, 2007 _-11 Jeff O'Keefe RECEIVE REPORT OF THREE-MONTH TRANSIT PILOT PROGRAM - FREEDOM FOR SENIORS Administrative Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council authorize staff to continue the FREEdom for Seniors Transit Pilot Program, and expand the program to include the disabled community, effective February 1, 2007 through June 30, 2007. BACKGROUND In September of 2006, the City Council approved the FREEdom for Seniors pilot program. The primary goal of the program was to transition ambulatory seniors from the costly paratransit service to Santa Clarita's fixed -route network, thereby increasing capacity aboard the paratransit system for non-ambulatory residents and a possible cost savings to the City. The findings from this pilot program, as well as a discussion on including the disabled in the program, are found in the attached report. During the first three months of the program, the fixed -route system lost approximately $15,000 in farebox revenue with the introduction of free rides. During this same period, the revenue hours for the paratransit system decreased an average of 3.1 percent per month compared to the same period a year before. This equates to a cost savings of approximately $17,700 for the first three months of the FREEdom for Seniors program, a net cost saving of $2,700. Assuming this trend continues over the next six months, the total estimated cost savings in operating costs for the paratransit system would be $35,400. The inclusion of disabled riders would not significantly reduce the level or revenue hours provided on the paratransit service, as very few would be able to make the transition to the fixed route. " Ei ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT If the program were extended to include disabled riders, the revenue aboard the fixed -route system would decrease approximately $50,000 over a six-month period. Compared to the cost savings, this expansion would result in a net loss of $14,600 over the next six months. This decrease would impact account #801-6301 "Farebox Revenues." ATTACHMENTS Analysis of FREF.dom for Seniors Pilot Program ANALYSIS OF FREEDOM FOR SENIORS PILOT PROGRAM In September of 2006, the City Council approved a pilot program called FREEdom for Seniors. The primary goal of the FREEdom for Seniors program was to transition ambulatory seniors from the costly paratransit service to Santa Clarita Transit's fixed -route network. The anticipated results of this effort were an increase in capacity aboard the paratransit system for non-ambulatory residents and a possible cost savings to the City. During the initial three months of the FREEdom for Seniors program, Santa Clarita Transit experienced a significant increase in the number of senior passengers using the fixed -route service. Compared to the same period (October, November, and December) in 2005, senior ridership aboard the fixed -route service increased an average of 258 percent. During this same period, ridership among Dial -A -Ride users decreased 3.31 percent. As the graph below illustrates, much of the gains in the local fixed -route system occurred during the month of October. This increase can be explained by the traditionally high ridership experienced each October and the recent introduction of the FREEdom for Seniors program. Based on the number of inquiries received during the first month of the program, we can assume the transition from the Dial -A -Ride program was not immediate for many riders. However, ridership patterns do indicate ridership is beginning to decline as riders become more familiar with the fixed -route service. 9,000 8,000 7,000 8,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 August September October November December 00*= Fixed Route Senior Ridership tDAR Ridership Conversely, the tremendous jump in senior ridership during the initial month of the program can be attributed to increased usage among seniors already familiar with the Santa Clarita Transit fixed -route system. Also supporting hypothesis is the ridership growth aboard fixed routes serving senior -related traffic generators. Route 5-6, which provides service to and from the Santa Clarita Senior Center, experienced the largest increase, averaging 2,736 new senior riders each month. Despite traditional decreases in ridership during the holiday season, the month-to-month decreases in ridership were far lower among seniors riding the fixed -route service compared to Dial -A -Ride. This would indicate that the traditional decreases in ridership experienced in December were offset by riders transitioning from the Dial -A -Ride to fixed -route. The second objective of the FREEdom for Seniors program was to help control the operating cost of the Dial -A -Ride program. A comparison to previous year data shows that revenue hours decreased an average of 3.1 percent for the first three months of the project. This further supports the idea that riders are slowly transitioning from the DAR service to the fixed -route network. 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 October November December ■ 2005 ■ 2006 During the first three months of the program, the fixed -route system lost approximately $15,000 in farebox revenue with the introduction of free rides. During this same period, the revenue hours for the paratransit system decreased an average of 3.1 percent per month compared to the same period a year before. This equates to a cost savings of approximately $17,700 for the first three months of the FREEdom for Seniors program, a net cost saving of $2,700. Assuming this trend continues over the next six months, the total estimated cost savings in operating costs for the paratransit system would be $35,400. The inclusion of disabled riders would not significantly reduce the level or revenue hours provided on the paratransit service, as very few would be able to make the transition to the fixed route. Based on requests from the general public, we have reviewed extending the FREEdom program to include disabled members of the community. Based on disabled ridership data for the first three months of the program, the inclusion of the disabled riders would have a moderate impact on the system's farebox. During the first three months of the FREEdom for Seniors program, the fixed -route system provided 23,318 rides to disabled passengers. Of those, approximately 92 percent traveled with a $15 reduced monthly pass. Total revenue generated from disabled cash fare and reduced monthly passes was approximately $11,070 during the first three months of the FREEdom for Seniors program. In terms of providing free rides to disabled members of the community, City staff has been in discussions with Access Services, Inc. (ASI) to enter into an agreement that would allow all ASI -certified passengers to use the Santa Clarita Transit fixed -route service free of charge when they travel with their ASI -issued ID. In exchange, ASI will reimburse the City for the lost fare revenue. For accounting purposes, it is envisioned that this program would be introduced in conjunction with the installation of the City's new farebox system, which is currently scheduled for March 2007. Recommendation Continue FREEdom for Seniors pilot program through June 30, 2007, and expand program to include disabled riders. Prior to the June 30, 2007 expiration date, staff will return to Council with an update on the program's performance. Fiscal Impact: If the program were extended to include disabled riders, the revenue aboard the fixed -route system would decrease approximately $50,000 over a six-month period. Compared to the cost savings, this expansion would result in a net loss of $14,600 over the next six months. This decrease would impact account #801-6301 "Farebox Revenues."