REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
August 3, 2017
FROM: GREGORY A. BARFIELD, Assistant Director
Department of Transportation
BY: JEFF LONG, Planning Coordinator II
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
“Authorize the Director of Transportation to execute agreements between the City of Fresno and California State University, Fresno, and the State Center Community College District allowing both colleges to use agency-issued identification cards for access on Fresno Area Express (FAX) fixed-route buses.”
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council authorize the Director of Transportation to execute one year agreements between the City of Fresno and California State University, Fresno (CSUF) and the State Community Center College District, Fresno City College (FCC), allowing both colleges to use their agency-issued identification cards for access on Fresno Area Express (FAX) fixed-route buses.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
With the installation of new automated fare collection equipment, FAX has the opportunity to accept new fare media. The system will allow CSUF and FCC students, faculty, and staff to swipe their ID cards at the farebox for fare payment. FAX will bill the agencies monthly for all rides provided at a rate of $1.10 per ride. This rate is equivalent to a 12-percent discount off the regular fare and is the same cost as buying bulk tokens. The agreements are for one year and can be renewed for up to two one-year extensions.
BACKGROUND
In 2013, FAX installed Genfare Odyssey Fareboxes capable of accepting various new fare media, including magnetic stripe cards, which are used on various ID cards. CSUF partnered with FAX during the original procurement process as a regional partner. The goal of the partner agencies is to reduce parking congestion, improve air quality, and provide an alternative method of arriving on campus. This agreement will allow CSUF and FCC students, faculty, and staff to swipe their ID cards at the farebox for fare payment. FAX will bill each agency monthly for all rides provided at a rate of $1.10 per ride, which is a 12-percent discount off the regular fare and equal to the bulk token discount price.
This program first rolled out with CSUF in 2014 as a three year demonstration project. It has been very successful with almost 200,000 passenger trips per year.
The CSUF campus is served by FAX Routes 38, 28, and 9 and Clovis Transit Route 10. FCC is served by FAX routes 20, 28, 30 and 45. With the new fare technology and this agreement, FAX will be able to track university and college ridership independent from other riders. The proposed contracts would be for one year, effective upon execution, and will be evaluated annually.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved as to form the proposed agreements.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
This is not a “project” pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable since City is not purchasing goods or services.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed agreements will have no impact to the General Fund.
Attachments:
Agreement with CSUF
Agreement with FCC