HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/02/1996, C-3 - FREE TRANSIT DAYS city of San lues OBISPO MEED Z_
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITE
lM�NUMBEA:
FROM: Michael McCluskey, Public Workr
's lDirecto
PREPARED BY: Harry Watson, Transit Manageo J
SUBJECT: Free Transit Days
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
By motion, designate May 7, 1996 and October 8, 1996 as "Free Transit Days" as a part of the City's
contribution to and recognition of the nationwide "Try Transit 96" and "Ride Share Week".
DISCUSSION:
A number of transportation-related groups throughout the country have designated May 7, 1996 as "Try
Transit Day". The day is a promotion designed to generate awareness among major employers and the
general public regarding alternate modes of transportation.
Again in October, the week of October 7th is Ride Share Week. Locally, transit operators have chosen
October 8th as "Transit Tuesday".
According to figures from the California Department of Transportation, vehicle miles traveled has
increased five percent per year, which has led to a fifteen percent yearly increase in traffic congestion.
Traffic congestion has a direct correlation to degradation of air quality. Therefore the increased use of
mass transportation can improve air quality by reducing the number of automobiles on the road. The
purpose of holding a free transit day is to heighten awareness of the benefits of mass transportation and
to hopefully attract new riders to use the City's transit system in the future.
San Luis Obispo Transit intends to promote the "Transit Tuesdays" by distributing press releases, public
service announcements, and by incorporating it into a program of paid media advertising in partnership
with Regional Transit, other local transit operators and Rideshare.
This promotion is done to attract new riders to the system, to replace those riders who have moved away
and to entice those who now use their cars for every trip. By offering a free day on transit, the benefits
of transit to fill some or all of their particular needs may become apparent. Last year, we estimate that
some 400 riders took us up on our offer. Based on our increasing ridership, many may have made a
modal switch decision.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Because the City derives the majority of its revenues from monthly bus passes and contractual
arrangements, a free transit day is estimated to reduce anticipated revenues by approximately $250.
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