REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, M.A., Interim Director
Department of Transportation
BY: CAROLINA ILIC, Assistant Director
Department of Transportation
JEFF LONG, Senior Regional Planner
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Approve the Department of Transportation / Fresno Area Express (FAX) federally mandated Title VI Service Equity Analysis for proposed service changes, with conclusions of no disparate impacts on minority populations or disproportionate burdens on low-income populations.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve the federally mandated Title VI Service Equity Analysis, which evaluates and concludes that the proposed service changes will not result in disparate impacts on minority populations or disproportionate burdens on low-income populations.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Based upon a Service Equity Analysis mandated by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and a comprehensive public outreach process conducted in May and August 2022, it was determined that proposed service changes to Routes 3, 20, 45, and 34 do not result in disparate impacts on minority populations or disproportionate burdens on low-income populations, and no mitigation measures are required.
BACKGROUND
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular 4702.1B establishes Title VI requirements and guidelines for FTA recipients to ensure the level and quality of public transportation service is provided in a nondiscriminatory manner; promote full and fair participation in public transportation decision-making without regard to race, color, or national origin; and ensure meaningful access to transit-related programs and activities by persons with limited English proficiency.
As mandated by the FTA under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, evaluation of major service changes as defined in FAX’s 2022 Title VI Program, which was accepted by Council on October 13, 2022, requires a Title VI Service Equity Analysis. The purpose of the equity analysis is to examine whether any major service changes would result in disparate impacts on minority populations or disproportionate burdens on low-income populations, and if so, methods to avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential impacts or burdens. The analysis is included in Attachment 1 and its appendices.
After a comprehensive public outreach process which included seven “Pop Up” events held at heavily used bus stops throughout the City, and five Open House public workshops in May and August of 2022, the Department received overwhelming support for the proposed service changes. The proposed service changes consist of frequency enhancements to Routes 3, 20, 45, and 34; an extension of Route 45 to service Justin Garza High School; and extension of Route 34 to service the North Pointe Business Park, including the IRS, Amazon, Ulta, and other businesses. As explained in Attachment 1, the Title VI Service Equity Analysis concludes that all the proposed changes are considered major, but when examined in context, the changes do not cause a disparate impact or disproportionate burden and no mitigation measures are necessary.
Implementation was delayed until now allowing the department to staff up with additional drivers and to bring additional buses into the fleet allowing for the additional service upgrades proposed.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines, approval of these service changes is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not applied as the program adoption is not an award of a contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The preparation of this report was financed in part through the FTA and local funds from the Fresno Council of Governments. Implementation of the service changes will have no impact on the general fund.
Attachments:
Title VI Service Equity Analysis and Appendices, June 2023