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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-24 - AGENDA REPORTS - FREEDOM SENIORS FREE RIDE (2)CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item• CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: June 24, 2008 UPDATE ON THE FREEDOM FOR SENIORS FREE RIDE PROGRAM Administrative Services RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council authorize staff to extend the FREEdom Fare program for an additional six months to allow staff to further analyze the impact of the planned route adjustments on the program, and identify any contributing factors for the low transition rate from Dial -A -Ride to the fixed -route system. BACKGROUND Freedom Fare Program In September 2006, the City Council approved the FREEdom for Seniors pilot program, which allowed customers over the age of 60 to ride the local fixed -route service free of charge. In January 2007, this program was expanded to include disabled customers and continued through June 2007. The initial results showed a transition of ridership from the paratransit service to the fixed -route system. However, this transition was not as high as initially estimated. In June 2007, City Council approved an extension of the program through June 2008 to allow staff to collect additional data on program usage and travel patterns. Since the introduction of the FREEdom for Seniors program, senior and disabled ridership has increased 500 percent on board the fixed -route system. More than half of the FREEdom program trips occurred during the off-peak hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is significant, because it does not adversely impact the fixed -route network during peak travel times (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) and generates ridership aboard the fixed -route system during a day -part that has been traditionally underutilized. In conjunction with the introduction of the FREEdom program, the City of Santa Clarita Transit has expanded the level of service provided in and around the Senior Center, as well as to major senior destinations, further making the fixed -route system a viable alternative. While some of this ridership was generated by transitioning customers from the Dial -a -Ride program (DAR ridership decreased approximately 3 percent), the majority of the ridership was generated by attracting new riders to the system and the increased usage of existing riders. It is assumed these trips were previously made by automobile, or in some cases, not at all. As a result, the FREEdom program has significantly increased the mobility of the City's senior and disabled population. It is believed that the relatively low number of DAR riders transitioning over to the fixed -route program is due in part to existing DAR policies. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS 1. Discontinue the FREEdom program. 2. Other action as determined by Council. FISCAL IMPACT Over the past 12 months, the cost (in terms of forgone fare revenue) of the FREEdom program was $89,660. By extending the program for an additional six months, the City would forgo approximately $45,000 in fare revenue aboard the local fixed -route service. ATTACHMENTS FREEdom Program Analysis City of Santa Clarita Analysis of FREEdom for Seniors Pilot Program June 2008 In September 2006, the City Council approved the FREEdom for Seniors pilot program with the goal of transitioning ambulatory seniors and disabled riders from the costly Dial -a -Ride program over to the fixed -route network. Since the introduction of the FREEdom for Seniors program, senior and disabled ridership has increased significantly onboard the fixed -route system. Prior to the program's introduction, the fixed -route service provided an average of 2,500,rides each month to seniors and persons with disabilities. Currently, the fixed -route service provides an average of 15,200 free rides each month to senior and disabled customers. . 25,000 7FREEdom 20,000 15,000 10,000 i 5,000 FREEdom Program Fixed Route Ridership Jul- Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr- May- Jun- Jul- Aug- Sep- Oct- Nov- Dec- Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr - 06 06 06 06 06 06 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 07 08 08 08 08 This dramatic jump represents a 500 percent increase in senior and disabled ridership aboard the fixed -route system. A review of travel patterns reveals more than half the FREEdom program trips occurred during the off-peak hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is significant, because it does not adversely impact the fixed -route network during peak travel times (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) and generates ridership aboard the fixed -route system during a day -part that has been traditionally underutilized. J1 The two routes with the highest level of FREEdom program ridership continue to be Routes 5 and 6. This is due to the fact that Routes 5 and 6 operate along the Soledad Canyon corridor and provide service less than one block from the Santa Clarita Senior Center. In addition, Routes 4 and 14 carry a proportionally large segment of the FREEdom program ridership. This is due to the fact these routes provide direct service to the Senior Center each weekday, every 30 minutes. While some of this ridership was generated by transitioning customers from the Dial -a -Ride program (DAR ridership decreased approximately 3 percent), the majority of the ridership was generated by attracting new riders to the system and the increased usage of existing riders. It is assumed these trips were previously made by automobile or, in some cases, not at all. The relatively low number of DAR riders transitioning over to the fixed -route program is due in part to existing DAR policies. Recommendation In an effort to further expand senior and disabled access to the fixed -route system, City staff is working to realign the existing fixed -route structure to serve additional senior destinations, including senior living communities. Staff recommends Council extend the FREEdom fare program for an additional six months to allow staff to further analyze the impact of the planned route adjustments, as well as identify any contributing factors for the low transition rate from Dial -a -Ride to the fixed -route system. Fiscal Impact Over the past 12 months, the cost (in terms of forgone fare revenue) of the FREEdom program was $89,660. By extending the program for an additional six months, the City would forgo approximately $45,000 in fare revenue aboard the local fixed -route service.