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Receive a Presentation Fareless System Initiative Approval and Implementation
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Meeting Date: August 10, 2021
Contact/Dept: Rolando Cruz, Chief Transportation Officer /Transportation
Phone Number: (310) 253-6500
Action Item: Yes [ ] No [X] Attachments: Yes [ ] No [X]
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) 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 (06/18/2021)
Dept Approval: Rolando Cruz, Chief Transportation Officer (07/28/2021)
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Chief Transportation Officer will give an update as to the implementation of the Fareless Service Initiative. At the June 28, 2021 City Council Meeting, Culver City’s inclusion and participation in the Regional Fareless Service Initiative was approved. In addition, Council authorized the development of a partnership agreement with the Culver City Unified School District (CCUSD) to leverage the opportunity and provide an additional $250,000 in service hours towards fixed route service extensions targeting student riders.
Regional FSI Implementation
Culver City continues to engage with LA Metro pending the implementation of FSI. At present, Transportation Staff is participating in the ongoing weekly discussion of the FSI program. Many municipal operators remain engaged and are likely to participate. In a recent survey conducted by LA Metro, it was shared that four operators (including Culver City) have stated that they intend to participate. Six other agencies expresses their intention to participate upon approval of their governing body.
At the most recent LA Metro board meeting on June 22, 2021, LA Metro staff presented a plan to delay the regional FSI K-12 and college program implementation (originally planned for August 1st) to January 2022, pending approval of the full FSI program. It should be noted, that at present, Metro staff has identified funding for the K12 and Community college portions. Metro is seeking additional funding opportunities to finance the cost of the low-income portion to commence in January 2022. A final determination on the low-income will be forthcoming.
Culver City staff determined that is was in the best interest to continue with our K-12 pilot program as both City Council and the CCUSD board approved. LA Metro has agreed to support our program and will provide K-12 TAP cards that are good for Culver CityBus and LA Metro buses and trains. We will defer the community college and low income program to the start date of the region-wide FSI program.
CCUSD New Routes
Staff has developed 2 pilot CityRide Circulator services (5C1 and 5C2) in alignment with our Route 5 to align with the Middle and High School start and end times. These new routes will serve the Arts District / Clarkdale and the Overland / Fox Hills neighborhoods. The Transportation department intends to commence the additional service hours with the start of the school year on August 19, 2021. Additionally, staff has created an engaging student campaign to educate all students of the new program, assist in registering the new K-12 TAP card, and promote/reward those that ride the bus for the month of August.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The proposed actions will not result in any new fiscal impacts to the City as funds have been budgeted and approved for this program.
ATTACHMENTS
None
RECOMMENDED MOTION
That the Mobility, Traffic and Parking Subcommittee:
1. Receive a Presentation on the LA County Free Fare proposals being discussed as a result of LA Metro’s Fareless System Initiative and Culver City’s partnership with Culver City School District.