REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
May 10, 2018
FROM: JIM SCHAAD, Director
Department of Transportation
BY: BRIAN BARR, Projects Administrator
Department of Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a cost-neutral First Amendment to Agreement with SPX/Genfare Corporation for the Bus Rapid Transit fare collection system
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Council approve a cost-neutral First Amendment to the Agreement with the SPX/Genfare Corporation (SPX) for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) fare collection system.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Department of Transportation (FAX) recently launched its first BRT service with 52 stations, supporting 10-minute frequencies along the Blackstone Avenue and Kings Canyon/Ventura Avenue corridors. A key benefit of the BRT service is the implementation of a new off-board fare collection system using Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs), which the City purchased from SPX. Upon implementation the off-board fare collection system requires some modification to best serve FAX and its customers. FAX worked closely with SPX to identify needed changes and associated cost additions/reductions, which are detailed in the attached amendment. The resulting amendment is cost neutral.
BACKGROUND
On February 19, 2018, FAX launched its first BRT service with 52 stations, supporting 10-minute frequencies along the Blackstone Avenue and Kings Canyon/Ventura Avenue corridors. The increased frequency and reduced station dwell times were designed to improve both travel time and schedule reliability for passengers along these corridors.
One method to reduce travel time is to decrease the time each bus dwells at each station. One approach FAX implemented to reduce station dwell times was to provide a convenient method of purchasing and activating fares. This was done by installing a new automated fare collection system, TVMs, at each BRT station and a validator on each BRT bus. This system allows passengers to purchase fares at the station prior to boarding the bus, which expedites the boarding process (and hence reduces dwell time). This system also allows users to quickly “tap and go” when using a valid smart card. Each TVM allows customers to pre-purchase, reload and activate a variety of fare media. This purchase also includes a system called “eFare,” which will allow users to purchase and reload a variety of fare types onto a smart card via the internet.
Though the TVMs were planned as a component of the BRT system, they were funded as a distinct element through a State Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) grant. The $4,234,743.90 of TIRCP funding was awarded specifically for the purchase and deployment of this new fare system and cannot be repurposed.
Now that the TVMs and fare collection system are being implemented, FAX has identified several modifications which will improve the functionality of the BRT. The modifications were negotiated with SPX, resulting in proposed cost-neutral changes detailed in the attached Amendment. Though the totality of the contract Amendment does not affect net contract value, the changes are material in nature to require Council approval. Therefore, staff recommends Council approve a cost-neutral First Amendment to the Agreement with SPX for the BRT fare collection system.
The City Attorney has reviewed the Amendment and approved it as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDING
This program is not a project pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered as this is an amendment to an existing contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund from this action.
Attachment:
First Amendment to Agreement for a BRT Fare Collection System