Request to Set Date for Jule Public Hearing on Fare Restructuring Copyrig hted
J uly 6, 2020
City of Dubuque Items to be set for Public Hearing # 4.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Request to Set Date for Jule Public Hearing on Fare Restructuring
SUM MARY: City Manager recommending that the City Council set a public hearing for
August 17, 2020 on the restructuring of the Jule's existing fare system.
RESOLUTION Setting the date fora public hearing on restructuring
Transit Fixed-Route Fare
SUGGESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s), Set Public Hearing forAugust
DISPOSITION: 17, 2020Suggested Disposition:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Requestto Schedule Public Hearing on The Jule's City Manager Memo
Fare Structure-MVM Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Resolution Resolutions
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TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Request to Schedule Public Hearing on The Jule's New Fare Structure
DATE: July 1, 2020
Director of Transportation Services Renee Tyler requests the City Council set a public
hearing for August 17 on the restructuring of The Jule's existing fare system.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
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Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Renee Tyler, Director of Transportation Services
Dubuque
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Renee Tyler, Director of Transportation Services
SUB.IECT: The Jule's New Fare Structure
DATE: June 29, 2020
INTRODUCTION
The enclosed resolution is in reference to the public hearing for the restructuring of the
Jule's existing fare system. The Jule has implemented the Genfare automated fare
collection system in its fixed route service. The service accepts payment via smart
card, mobile app and cash. This memo requests a public hearing to review and
approve a proposed fare structure that will promote transportation equity for all of our
citizens.
DISCUSSION
Genfare won the fare collection RFP due to its robust collection's platform. The company has
provided solutions that meet the needs for the different riders in our city. This platform also
offers the Jule the opportunity to review its current fare structure to ensure that the City is
meeting the needs of all its residents. The proposed fare restructure will incorporate solutions
for Dubuque's school children, the college and university students, and veterans.
School children rode the Jule for free via a partnership with the Dubuque Public School
System prior to 2016. This fare policy was restructured in 2016, with the zero-fare initiative
replaced with a $10 annual bus pass for children aged 12 to 18. This fee increased the
following year to $15. The fare change affected a segment of one of our largest ridership
groups. One of the unforeseen outcomes from this policy has been a continual decline in the
ridership of school age children. Since 2016, the Jule has experienced a ridership decline of
100,000. This number is pre Covid-19.
The college partnership offered Dubuque's college and university students access to the Jule.
In 2020 this partnership did not receive funding. Genfare's automatic fare collection system
will allow the Jule to provide a beneficial solution to the college and university students with
unlimited access to Jule fixed routes.
Veteran agencies have expressed concern for veterans having funds to ride the Jule. It is for
this reason that an annual $20 fare for veterans is proposed. This fare will allow verified
veterans unlimited access to the Jule's fixed routes.
The Jule's current fare structure will be incorporated in the following manner:
Bus passes will be available via Mobile App & Smart Cards:
• $45.00 — Full Fare Monthly Pass (Unlimited rides for 1 month)
• $22.50 — Half Fare Monthly Pass (Unlimited rides for 1 month for eligible
passengers*)
• $15.00 — 11 Ride Full Fare Pass (11 rides for price of 10)
• $7.50 — 11 Ride Half Fare Pass (11 rides for price of 10 for eligible passengers*)
$1 cost added for every card purchased
*Passengers eligible for half-fare include people 65 and older or disabled. Passengers
must provide proof of half-fare status (ID or Medicare card) if asked in order to ride.
The Jule will maintain its one ride cards. These cards are currently purchased in bulk by
area agencies for patron usage. Bus operators will continue to collect the cards and
return them to the operations center for reuse.
Proposed New Fares/Fare Changes
Student Annual Pass (Aged 12-18) — Change from $15 a year to free. Student must
download the mobile app or present a smart card to board the bus (a $1 charge will be
assessed for the purchase of new or the replacement of lost smart cards).
• Grade 6 thru 12 must have current student ID. Operators may ask to see student
IDs upon boarding to validate the student's status. If the student does not comply
with the ID check, she/he/they will be denied admission to ride the bus.
• This zero-fare policy is like the newly enacted RTA policy which allows students
aged 12 to 18 to ride for free.
Veteran Annual Pass — New fare for honorably discharged veterans. $20 a year for
unlimited rides.
• At time of purchase, must provide valid photo ID and proof of Honorable
Discharge.
o DD Form 214 (Member copy 2-4*)
o VA Summary of Benefit Letter
*A Member 1 Copy of the DD Form 214 will not list the discharge status
and cannot be accepted for this purpose.
College Student Mobile App Pass — in lieu of the college partnership a $20 monthly
unlimited pass will be offered to students enrolled at Clarke, Loras, University of
Dubuque, Emmaus, and Northwest lowa Community College. During the first 90 days
of the introduction of the Mobile App students currently enrolled at Clarke, Loras,
University of Dubuque and Northwest lowa Community College will have the opportunity
to earn one year of unlimited rides for free if they download The Jule mobile fare app
2
within the first 90 days of the mobile app launch. This period will span a twelve-month
calendar year. If the app is downloaded on the 90th day of the promotion the student
will have access to the Jule for the next nine months.
• Operators may ask to see student IDs upon boarding to validate the student's
status. If the student does not comply with the ID check, she/he/they will be
denied admission to ride the bus.
Enforcement of Half-Fare and Special Passes
In order to ensure only qualified riders are using the half-fare and special passes, bus
operators will be asked on pre-determined dates to check IDs of riders as they board
the bus to make sure they are qualified to use the chosen fare. Inability to provide
proper identification will lead to the bus operator asking for full fare to ride at that time.
Proper signage on every bus noting that operators may ask for ID at any time is
recommended to make passengers aware.
It is also recommended that only one route be scheduled to check IDs on a given day,
as to not create further burden on passengers being asked on multiple bus routes
during a single trip.
BUDGETIMPACT
The impact of COVID-19 has deeply cut our ridership. Ridership volume is one of the
measures used to determine an agency's operational funding. The proposed fare
structure will allow the Jule to rebuild its ridership while broadening our transportation
equity within our community. The Jule was awarded $3.6 million from the CARES Act to
assist with supplementing operations. This grant has assisted in offsetting the initial
revenue loss that we suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smart fare collections will boost revenue through the removal of paper transfers that
were often used to avoid fares. Passengers will have opportunities to purchase passes
and refill those passes from their phone, computer or by coming to the Intermodal. This
also reduces the instance of fare shortage.
RECOMMENDATION
Please place the request to schedule a public hearing on the July 6, 2020 council
agenda.
Cc: Robert Daughters, Chair of The Jule Transit Advisory Board
Justin Harris-Davis, Transportation Operations Supervisor
Russell Stecklein, Field Operations Supervisor
Jacob Ironside, Transportation Services Analyst
3
Prepared by Renee Tyler,Transportation Services 949 Kerper Blvd,Dubuque,[A 52001,563-589-4196ReturntoKevinFirnstahl,City Clerk,50 W.13th St ,Dubuque,IA 52001,563-589-4100
RESOLUTION NO.199-20
SETTING THE DATE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON RESTRUCTURING TRANSIT
FIXED-ROUTE FARE
Whereas,the City of Dubuque provides fixed-route service for the citizens of
Dubuque;and
Whereas,the City of Dubuque has reevaluated the equity impact of its fares and the
promotion of transit mobility to its residents;and
Whereas,The City of Dubuque desires to continue to provide equitable accessibility
to fixed-route services to its citizens;and
Whereas,the proposed fare restructure will impact fixed route ridership and fare
types;and
Whereas,the proposed fare restructure will require a period of 30 days for public
review and comment,it is recommended that the date for public hearing is scheduled on
August 17,2020
Whereas,the following changes to fixed-route fares if approved will go into effect
August 18 ,2020 are proposed:
Single rides:
Adult -$1.50
Seniors,ADA -$0.75
Children aged 11 and under ride for free
Bus passes will be available for purchase in the form of the Mobile App
and Smart Cards:
•$45.00 -Full Fare Monthly Pass (Unlimited rides for 1 month)
•$22.50 -Half Fare Monthly Pass (Unlimited rides for 1 month
for eligible passengers*)
•$15.00 -11 Ride Full Fare Pass (11 rides for price of 10)
•$7.50 -11 Ride Half Fare Pass (11 rides for price of 10 for eligible passengers*)
$1 cost added for every card purchased
*Ha!f-fare eligibility includes people 65 and older or disabled.Passengers must
provide proof of half-fare status (ID or Medicare card)if asked in order to ride.
The Jule will maintain its $1.50 one ride cards.These cards are currently purchased
in bulk by area agencies for patron usage.Bus operators will continue to collect the
cards and return them to the operations center for reuse.
Proposed New Fares/Fare Changes
Student Annual Pass (Aged 12-18)-Change from $15 a year to free.Student must
download the mobile app or present a smart card to board the bus (a $1 charge will be
assessed for the purchase of new or replaced smart cards).
•Grade 6 thru 12 must have current student ID.Operators may ask to
see student IDs upon boarding to validate the student’s status.If
the student does not comply with the ID check,she/he/they will
be denied admission to ride the bus.
Veteran Annual Pass -Honorably discharged veterans.$20 a year for unlimited
rides.
•At time of purchase,must provide valid photo ID and proof of
Honorable Discharge.
DD Form 214 (Member copy 2-4*)
VA Summary of Benefit Letter
*A Member 1 Copy of the DD Form 214 will not list
the discharge status and cannot be accepted for this purpose.
o
o
College Student Mobile App Pass -a $20 monthly unlimited pass will be offered to
students enrolled at Clarke,Loras,University of Dubuque,Emmaus,and Northwest
Iowa Community College.
•Operators may ask to see student IDs upon boarding to validate the
student’s status.If the student does not comply with the ID check
she/he/they will be denied admission to ride the bus.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE,IOWA THAT:
Section 1.The City of Dubuque set a public hearing on the Jule Fixed Route fare
restructure on the 17th day of August 2020 at 6:30 p.m.in the City Council Chamber,
Historic Federal Building,350 W.6th Street,Dubuque,Iowa.
Section 2:Interested persons may comment on the proposed fare increase either in
writing by filing with the City Clerk prior to the time of the public hearing or in person at
the public hearing.Any comments submitted will be considered by the City Council and
following the public hearing,the City Council will act to adopt or reject the proposed fare
restructure.
Passed,approved and adopted this 6th day of July 2020.
'(T Roy D.Buol,Mayor
Attest:
G4
Kevir/S.'FirnstaKCCMC ^dity Clerk