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(1) Receive a Presentation on the LA County Free Fare Proposals Related to LA Metro’s Fareless System Initiative; (2) Discuss the Impacts on Culver CityBus Operations; and (3) Provide Direction to Staff on Next Steps and Engagement with City Council.
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Meeting Date: April 27, 2021
Contact Person: Rolando Cruz, Chief Transportation Officer /Transportation
Phone: (310) 253-6500
Action Item: Yes [X] No [] Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail via GovDelivery) Meetings and Agendas - Mobility, Traffic & Parking Subcommittee; Notify Me - Construction, Street Maintenance and Closures; Stay Informed - Bicycle & Pedestrian / Culver CityBus / Construction, Street Maintenance and Closures (04/24/21)
Department Approval: Rolando Cruz, Chief Transportation Officer (04/21/21)
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
As part of its economic recovery planning, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) initiated an exploratory task force to develop a proposal to eliminate fares for all riders on LA Metro buses and trains. The effort is being called the Fareless System Initiative (FSI or Operation FSI).
Realizing that this initiative would significantly impact all LA County riders of Metro and the other municipal transit agencies operating in the region, the LA County Municipal Operator’s Association (LACMOA) requested that the study also consider the entire LA County region and created a FSI Ad-hoc committee. As a result, Culver City Chief Transportation Officer, Rolando Cruz, has been appointed to this committee to ensure that Culver CityBus interests are considered. Culver CityBus is working towards the participation in a pilot program and, if possible, a county-wide implementation of the FSI program.
LA Metro board has been actively involved in steering the work of the FSI Taskforce, which is composed of Metro Staff. At the March 25th meeting, Motion 43.1 directing the Taskforce to engage with municipal operators. Metro representatives have begun weekly update meetings, provided cost and revenue estimation data, and has sent a survey to gather information around regional impacts from the FSI Pilot Program. It is expected decision on the implementation of a pilot program will be made at the May 27 meeting date.
Staff will be presenting an update to the Mobility, Traffic and Parking Subcommittee on steps taken to prepare for such a program and the cost impact to Culver CityBus service. Staff is seeking guidance on next steps and ways to engage the City Council in this key decision.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
None at this time.
ATTACHMENTS
None
RECOMMENDATION
That the Mobility, Traffic and Parking Subcommittee:
1. Receive a Presentation on the LA County Free Fare Proposals related to LA Metro’s Fareless System Initiative;
2. Discuss the impacts on Culver CityBus Operations; and
3. Provide direction to staff on next steps and engagement with City Council.