REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Assistant City Manager
& Interim Director Department of Transportation
BY: CAROLINA ILIC, Planning Manager
Department of Transportation/Planning Division
JEFF LONG, Senior Regional Planner
Department of Transportation/Planning Division
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the Department of Transportation Director or their Designee to execute revenue agreements with the State Community Center College District and California State University, Fresno, subsidizing transit fares on Fresno Area Express buses
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council authorize the Department of Transportation Director or their Designee to execute a one-year revenue agreement with two one-year extensions between the City of Fresno and the State Center Community College District (SCCCD), and the First Amendment to the agreement between the City of Fresno and California State University, Fresno (CSUF). These agreements allow students, faculty, and staff from both colleges to use their agency-issued identification cards for free access on Fresno Area Express (FAX) fixed-route buses.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Through its automated fare collection equipment, FAX has the ability to accept different types of fare media, including agency-issued magnetic stripe identification cards. These cards can be used by Fresno City College, Clovis Community College, and CSUF students, faculty, and staff to swipe their ID cards at the farebox for fare payment. FAX will bill the colleges for all rides provided at a rate of $0.75 per ride, with a maximum of $22.00 per month per rider, subsidizing the cost for students, faculty, and staff. The SCCCD agreement is for one year and can be renewed for up to two one-year extensions. The CSUF amendment adjusts the per-trip pricing to be in line with the new Student Fare. The goal is to implement the subsidy program beginning in January 2023 for the start of the spring semester. A Title VI Fare Equity Analysis for Student Fares, proposed for City Council approval on December 1, 2022 with the Budget Resolution amending the Master Fee Schedule, finds no disparate impact on minority populations or disproportionate burden on low-income populations.
BACKGROUND
In 2013, FAX installed SPX Genfare Odyssey Fareboxes capable of accepting various new fare media, including magnetic stripe cards, which are used on various ID cards. SCCCD began using the ID based card system in August 2017 for Fresno City College and in August 2018, added Clovis Community College. In June 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to remote learning, SCCCD elected to not renew the agreement with FAX.
SCCCD students, faculty, and staff have taken 1,036,684 unlinked passenger trips on FAX fixed-route buses. This has generated over $730,000 in farebox revenue for FAX.
The Fresno City College campus is served by FAX Routes 1(Q), 20, and 28. The Clovis Community College campus is served by FAX Route 3.
CSUF began using the ID based card system in August 2017. In April 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to remote learning, CSUF temporarily suspended the program with FAX. In September 2021, CSUF reinstated the ID Card system. This amendment adjusts the per-trip pricing for CSUF to be in line with the new Student Fare of $0.75 per trip with a monthly cap of $22.00 per rider.
CSUF students, faculty, and staff have taken almost 500,000 unlinked passenger trips on FAX fixed-route buses and generated over $360,000 in farebox revenue for FAX.
The CSUF campus is served by high frequency FAX Routes 9 and 38.
The ID based program allows students, faculty, and staff from CSUF, Fresno City College, and Clovis Community College to swipe their ID cards at the farebox for payment. FAX will bill the colleges monthly for all rides provided at a rate of $0.75 per ride, up to a maximum of $22.00 per month. This rate is in line with new Student Pass fare in the Master Fee Schedule, scheduled to be approved by the City Council on December 1, 2022, as part of the Budget Resolution. The Title VI Fare Equity Analysis completed for the student fare found no disparate impact on minority populations or disproportionate burden on low-income populations.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form the proposed agreements.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a “project” pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Not applicable since City is not purchasing goods or services.
FISCAL IMPACT
This agreement will have no impact to the general fund.
Attachments:
Agreement between SCCCD and City of Fresno through FAX
Amended Agreement between CSUF and City of Fresno through FAX