HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5h. Adopt a Resolution approving SLO Transit to provide Fare-Free Transit during Rideshare Week Item 5h
Department: Public Works
Cost Center: 5201
For Agenda of: 9/3/2024
Placement: Consent
Estimated Time: N/A
FROM: Matt Horn, Public Works Director
Prepared By: Alex Fuchs, Mobility Services Business Manager
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING SLO TRANSIT TO PROVIDE
FARE-FREE TRANSIT DURING RIDESHARE WEEK
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo, California, approving San Luis Obispo (SLO) Transit to provide Fare-Free Transit
during Rideshare Week.”
POLICY CONTEXT
SLO Regional Rideshare is a division of the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments
(SLOCOG) that is dedicated to reducing the number of single occupant vehicles used for
commuting by encouraging use of transit, biking, vanpool, and carpo oling. The City of
San Luis Obispo is a partner agency of SLOCOG and works closely to promote
sustainable transportation through a variety of programs and events. This partnership
directly supports the City’s Major City Goal of Sustainable Transportation, the Climate
Action Plan, and multiple policies and programs of the City’s General Plan Circulation
Element1.
DISCUSSION
Background
SLOCOG holds an annual event during the first full week of October called Rideshare
Week aimed at promoting sustainable transportation methods to reduce traffic congestion
and to improve air quality. Prior to the pandemic, participating transit agencies, including
SLO Transit, offered fare-free transit during Rideshare Week. The costs of providing fare-
free services were reimbursed by SLOCOG via grant funding. Fare-free transit has not
been part of Rideshare week since 2020 as agencies focused on adjusting operations in
response to the pandemic.
1 Policy 2.1.3 – Work-based Trip Reduction – The City shall encourage employers within the city limits and
work with the county to work with employers outside of the city limits to participate in trip reduction programs.
Program 2.2.1 – Agency Cooperation – In coordination with county agencies, the City shall support efforts
in establishing county-wide trip reduction programs.
Policy 7.1.1 – Peak Hour and Daily Traffic – The City shall cooperate with County and State government
to institute programs that reduce the levels of peak-hour and daily vehicle traffic.
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Item 5h
In July 2024, SLOCOG notified City staff that a recommendation would be presented to
their board on August 14 seeking approval to pilot a week of fare-free transit during this
year’s Rideshare Week (October 7-11, 2024) and to coordinate with transit operators on
public outreach and promotion. Attachment B is a copy of the SLOCOG staff report.
SLOCOG’s board approved the recommendation as well as the use of Low Carbon
Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) funds to fully offset the cost of offering fare-free
transit.
Rideshare Week is a great opportunity for the City to promote use of transit and other
forms of sustainable transportation. The recommendation of this report is for Council to
adopt a Resolution (Attachment A) approving SLO Transit to provide fare-free transit
during Rideshare Week this year and in future years provided SLOCOG has funding
allocated to reimburse transit agencies for costs associated with offering fare -free transit.
If approved, Mobility Services staff will coordinate with SLOCOG and other participating
transit agencies on promotion of the event, report ridership activity, and reimbursement
of associated costs after completion of the event.
Previous Council or Advisory Body Action
Even though SLO Transit participated in past Rideshare Week events including offering
fare-free transit services, staff did not find record of previous related Council action(s).
Public Engagement
Rideshare Week and fare-free transit promotion will be coordinated between the
participating agencies and advertised on social media, radio, print publications, and in
Rideshare’s newsletter that is distributed to over 16,000 commuters, employers, and
residents. Surveys will also be distributed to passengers and ridership data will be
collected from transit operators at the conclusion of the campaign to evaluate the impact
on ridership.
CONCURRENCE
SLOCOG staff concurs with the recommended action of this report.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the recommended
action in this report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA
Guidelines Sec. 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Budgeted: N/A Budget Year: N/A
Funding Identified: Yes
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Item 5h
Fiscal Analysis:
Funding
Sources
Total Budget
Available
Current
Funding
Request
Remaining
Balance
Annual
Ongoing
Cost
Transit Fund $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
State
Federal
Fees
Other:
Total $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
There is no fiscal impact to the Transit Fund. SLOCOG will reimburse the City to fully
offset costs associated with offering fare-free transit during Rideshare Week.
ALTERNATIVES
Council could decide not to approve SLO Transit providing fare-free transit during
Rideshare Week. This action is not recommended by staff because Rideshare Week is
a great opportunity to promote use of transit and other forms of sustainable transportatio n.
Participating in Rideshare Week also aligns with multiple City policies and programs.
ATTACHMENTS
A - Draft Resolution approving SLO Transit to provide fare-free transit during Rideshare
Week
B - August 14, 2024 - B-5 Rideshare Week Fare-Free Transit Pilot staff report
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R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2024 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING SAN LUIS OBISPO (SLO)
TRANSIT TO PROVIDE FARE-FREE TRANSIT DURING RIDESHARE
WEEK
WHEREAS, Climate Action, Open Space and Sustainable Transportation is a
Major City Goal; and
WHEREAS, SLO Regional Rideshare, a division of the San Luis Obispo Council
of Governments (SLOCOG), operates programs to promote use of sustainable
transportation modes, to reduce fuel consumption, and to improve air quality ; and
WHEREAS, one of the programs managed by SLOCOG is Rideshare Week which
takes place the first full week of each October and encourages people to commute using
transit, biking, carpool, and vanpool instead of driving alone; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo and San Luis Obispo (SLO) Transit are
partner agencies of SLOCOG and participate in their programs and events including
Rideshare Week; and
WHEREAS, prior to 2020, SLO Transit offered fare-free transit during Rideshare
Week and costs associated with providing fare-free transit was fully offset by SLOCOG
via grant funding; and
WHEREAS, SLOCOG is interested in offering fare-free transit during Rideshare
Week taking place October 7-11, 2024; and
WHEREAS, on August 14, 2024, SLOCOG’s board approved a pilot week of fare -
free transit during Rideshare Week and use of Low Carbon Transportatio n Operations
Program (LCTOP) funds to offset cost of participating transit agencies that offer fare-free
transit; and
WHEREAS, SLO Transit’s participation in Rideshare Week and providing fare-free
transit during the event is a great opportunity to encourage use of transit by commuters
as a sustainable transportation mode; and
WHEREAS, SLO Transit wishes to provide fare-free transit during the Rideshare
Week event this year and in future years provided SLOCOG has funding allocated to
reimburse the City for costs associated with offering fare-free transit.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of San Luis
Obispo does hereby approve SLO Transit to provide fare -free transit during Rideshare
Week as follows:
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Resolution No. _____ (2024 Series) Page 2
R ______
SECTION 1. Approval. The City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo does
hereby:
1. Approve SLO Transit to provide fare-free transit during Rideshare Week this
year and in future years so long as SLOCOG has funding allocated to
reimburse the City for costs associated with offering fare-free transit; and
2. Authorize staff to coordinate marketing, outreach, and promotion of Rideshare
Week with SLOCOG and other participating transit agencies; and
3. Authorize staff to seek reimbursement from SLOCOG to offset costs associated
with providing fare-free transit during Rideshare Week.
Upon motion of Council Member ___________, seconded by Council Member
___________, and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of ______________ 2024.
___________________________
Mayor Erica A. Stewart
ATTEST:
______________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________.
___________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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B-5-1
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: AUGUST 14, 2024 ITEM B-5
SUBJECT:
STAFF CONTACT:
Rideshare Week Fare-Free Transit Pilot
Mallory Jenkins
SUMMARY
This report seeks approval from the SLOCOG Board to pilot a week of fare-free transit during Rideshare Week
(October 7-11, 2024) and coordinate with transit operators on public outreach and promotion.
Currently, over $1M of Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) funds are programmed to provide
free public transit during construction of the U.S. 101 South County managed lane project. If approved by the
SLOCOG Board, up to $30k of these funds will be used for early implementation of the pilot during Rideshare
Week, to offset the loss of farebox revenue otherwise collected from paying riders (excluding students and
riders over 80). The Rideshare Week promotion will allow staff to evaluate the impact of free transit on ridership
and public perception while identifying challenges prior to starting construction of the managed lane project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff: Approve Rideshare Week Fare-Free Transit pilot using up to $30k of budgeted Low Carbon
Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) funds and direct staff to coordinate with transit operators
on outreach and promotions
SSTAC: Support staff recommendation
TTAC: Support staff recommendation
CTAC: Support staff recommendation
DISCUSSION
In April 2024, the SLOCOG Board approved the current Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP)
program of projects, which included funding for free public transit during construction of the U.S. 101 South
County managed lane project, to help alleviate congestion during the construction. This report seeks approval
to implement the pilot during Rideshare Week (October 7-11, 2024) and coordinate with fixed-route transit
operators (RTA, SLO Transit, and Morro Bay Transit) on public outreach and promotion of the pilot project.
Rideshare Week is an annual event aimed at promoting alternative transportation methods to reduce traffic
congestion and improve air quality across the state. The campaign is promoted regionally by SLOCOG’s
Rideshare division. Held in early October, the initiative encourages commuters to try carpooling, taking
public transit, biking, walking, or telecommuting instead of driving alone. Participants can join various
activities, contests, and incentives organized by local agencies and employers to raise awareness about
the benefits of ridesharing. By highlighting the convenience and sustainability of shared transportation
options, California Rideshare Week strives to foster long-term behavioral changes that contribute to a
greener and more efficient transportation system.
Staff are proposing to pilot free transit on fixed routes during Rideshare Week. Regular fares would still
apply on all dial-a-rides and Runabout services. The pilot will allow staff to evaluate the impact on transit
ridership and public perception while identifying challenges early, prior to starting construction of the managed
lane project. The fare-free week will be advertised on social media, radio, print publications/newspapers, and
in the Rideshare newsletter that is distributed to over 16,000 commuters, employers, and residents. Surveys
will also be distributed to passengers and ridership data will be collected from transit operators at the conclusion
of the campaign to evaluate the impact on ridership.
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B-5-2
Public transit is an extremely efficient way to get people around and access to transit services is a critical
component to ensuring mobility for all. Fare-free transit reduces barriers by not requiring advance purchase of
a pass or needing an exact cash fare. Fare-free transit was previously included as part of the 2019 (and prior)
Rideshare Week campaign(s) but was paused during pandemic years. The current availability of LCTOP
funding fully offsets the loss of passenger fares associated with free service and provides a new opportunity
to pilot fare-free transit promotion post-pandemic while collecting data on its impact.
Staff recommends using budgeted LCTOP funds to offer fare-free transit during Rideshare Week through
coordination with transit operators on marketing and outreach. Additionally, staff will draft a policy and work
with operators to mitigate potential negative impacts to the rider experience such as those who board without
a destination, carry excess personal belongings, etc. All three of the fixed-route transit operators including SLO
RTA, SLO Transit, and Morro Bay Transit have expressed their interest and support for the promotion, so long
as funding is available to offset the cost of providing free service. SLO Transit’s (City of San Luis Obispo
Transit) participation is tentative, pending City Council’s approval at their September 3rd meeting.
Examples of fare-free transit promotions:
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