SR-1000-001-02 (2)
BBB:DEVEL:JC:PC:F:\STAFFREPORTFOR FARE
Council Meeting: March 6, 2001 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Scheduling a Public Hearing Concerning Bus Fare Adjustments
Introduction
This report requests that the City Council set May 22, 2001 as the public hearing date to
consider proposed adjustments to the City’s Big Blue Bus fare structure. The last fare
adjustment was implemented July 1, 1991.
Background
Since the adoption of the first Big Blue Bus Service Improvement Program in Fiscal
Year 1997, the Big Blue Bus has increased service by 30 percent, and passenger
boardings have increased 14 percent. During the same period, the operating cost per
passenger increased 28 percent. Since the implementation of the 50 cent fare in 1983,
the operating cost per passenger has increased 126 percent. An expanded workforce
and the increased cost of labor, fuel and materials have contributed to the increase in
operating expenses. Traffic congestion system-wide requires the deployment of more
buses to maintain the same frequency of bus service. The cost of providing transit
service has been steadily increasing for the Big Blue Bus since the last fare adjustment
ten years ago.
As part of the Big Blue Bus triennial Line-by-Line Analysis process and Service
Improvement Plan update, surveys of Big Blue Bus passengers have been conducted
and travel patterns have been analyzed to determine what service improvements are
needed over the next five years. Future service costs and future fare revenues have
been projected. Fare restructuring is necessary to permit the Big Blue Bus to stay
within Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s county-wide farebox
return guidelines and finance future service improvements.
In addition to the on-board passenger surveys that were conducted, the potential fare
increase was discussed at a series of community outreach meetings held between
January 13 – 20, 2001. Broadly defined fare scenarios were presented to the public to
determine customer opinions of various restructuring options. Prior to the proposed
public hearing, specific information about the fare structure to be presented to the City
Council will be made available to the public for review approximately three weeks prior
to the fare hearing.
Discussion
Before considering a fare change, the City Council must hold a public hearing. Notice
of the hearing will be advertised in the newspaper and posted in all buses thirty days
prior to the hearing. In order to allow time to prepare notices, staff recommends that the
hearing be scheduled for the City Council meeting of May 22, 2001. Details of the
proposed fare structure will be provided to the City Council and public in advance of the
public hearing at a community outreach meeting.
Budget Impact
There is no budget impact associated with this item.
Recommendation
City staff recommends that the City Council set May 22, 2001 as the date of a public
hearing to consider adjustments to the City’s Big Blue Bus fare structure and authorize
staff to publish all appropriate notices.
Prepared by: John Catoe, Director of Transit Services
Joe Stitcher, Deputy Director of Transit Services
Paul Casey, Senior Transit Programs Analyst