Keyline Free Rides for School StudentsTHE CITY OF
DLTB E
Masterpiece an the Mississippi
MEMORANDUM
May 16, 2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Free Rides for School Students
The KeyLine Transit Board is recommending City Council approval to proceed with a
partnership with the Dubuque Community School District to provide better transportation
options for students that would include offering free KeyLine rides to students.
Similar to a program successfully implemented in Clinton, Iowa, KeyLine would begin
providing free rides to K-12 students. This would include all students, not just those
from Dubuque Community School District. Students would be required to show their
school ID to receive the free ride and would be expected to adhere to a code of
conduct.
The Dubuque Community School District has agreed to provide 50% of the $13,000 in
lost revenue this will cost KeyLine. If there is an increase in ridership related to this
program, future State reimbursements may reduce the amount of this loss.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
ti~
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David Heiar, Economic Development Director
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
MEMORANDUM
May 16, 2007
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: David Heiar, Economic Development Director
Jon Rodocker, Transit Manager
SUBJECT: Free Rides for School Students
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to provide information on ways KeyLine could work with
the Dubuque Community School District to provide better transportation options for
students.
DISCUSSION
On January 4, 2007, we met with School Superintendent, John Burgart, Transportation
Director Vicki Kelly and the principals of the Dubuque Community School District to
discuss the busing of students to intercity schools. The discussion included the
transportation need for students that the yellow buses did not serve in the downtown
area. The principals also mentioned that many times, truancy is being blamed on lack of
transportation for students. Jon agreed to research the possibilities of KeyLine assisting
with such transportation for downtown area students.
On February 24, 2007, we again met with John Burgart and Vicki Kelly to discuss the
options available, including an expansion of the current KeyLine fleet to accommodate
more students and offer more routes. The proposed expansion would include the
purchase of new buses, leased buses and/or used buses, and the subsequent
operational cost. Consequently, a substantial amount of financial subsidy would be
needed from the City or the Dubuque Community School District to make this option
viable.
Another option that was evaluated, would offer free rides to enrolled students from K-
12th grades. This option was successfully implemented in Clinton. The students would
be required to show their school ID to receive free transportation. This would entitle
students to ride throughout the year free-of-charge on any KeyLine fixed route bus
during all hours of operation, including weekends. Many youth already ride free in the
summer to participate in activities provided by the Leisure Services Department. Initially,
under this option, there is a projected loss in revenue of $13,000 annually. John Burgart
has agreed to pay $6,000 of the lost revenue and Barry Lindahl recommends a 28E
agreement for this arrangement. If ridership increases dramatically, within two years
KeyLine may receive more State Assistance Funding, thus recouping a portion or all of
this revenue.
On April 24, 2007, John Burgart agreed that if the City authorizes the free ride option,
changes must be made concerning the conduct policies and procedures for the
students using the KeyLine buses. KeyLine agreed to install several older security
camera systems on three buses that currently transport the students. The intent of the
cameras would be to deter unruly behavior and provide a record of any inappropriate
conduct while riding the bus. New conduct policies directly related to the students have
been created with stiffer consequences. The new conduct policies will be made
available to all students with their registration packets for the 2007-08 school year.
The Transit Board is interested in increasing KeyLine ridership. The Board also places
great value on encouraging young people to become regular users of public transit. The
initial Board concern was unruly student conduct which we hope is addressed in the
attached conduct policies. The Board recommends that the Council proceed with
offering free rides to students. This would extend to students attending all Dubuque
schools including the parochial school system.
ACTION REQUIRED
That the Transit Board's recommendation be taken to the City Council for
consideration/discussion.
F:\USERS\DHeiar\Transit\memo for mvm dh concerning approval of free rides.doc
THE CITY OF
DuB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
KeyLine Transit
2401 Central Ave
Dubuque IA, 52001
Phone: 563-589-4196
Fax: 563-589-4340
Effective August 28, 2007 KeyLine Transit will offer free rides to students enrolled in
Dubuque Schools. Students will be required to show a current school identification to
receive the free ride. In conjunction with this service KeyLine and the Dubuque
Community School District have developed the following guidelines.
KeyLine Bus Safety and Security Guidelines
Each transported student has the right to a safe and pleasant ride that is free from
intimidation, threat, or harassment.
Any form of discrimination or harassment can be devastating to an individual's academic
progress, social relationships, and sense of self-worth. Therefore, KeyLine will not
tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of a person's protected status, such
as age, color, creed, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, physical
attributes, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
A student's eligibility to ride KeyLine buses may be suspended or revoked for a violation
of bus safety and security guidelines, KeyLine bus passenger rules, or for violation of
any other law or policy governing conduct on a public bus. The removal of a student's
KeyLine bus riding privileges is not considered to be a suspension or expulsion from
school.
KeyLine Bus Passenger Rules
The following activities and items are NOT allowed:
^ Fighting, spitting or making threatening gestures
^ Using obscene, profane or offensive language
^ Harassing, offensive or rowdy behavior
^ Smoking or possessing any lighted tobacco product
^ Destroying, defacing, soiling or removing any part of the bus
• Throwing or sticking objects out the windows
^ Soliciting, peddling and panhandling
^ Animals out of carriers (except trained service animals)
^ Gasoline and other flammable liquids
^ Firearms and air guns
^ Open or exposed knives
^ Bicycles
• Toxic or illegal materials
• Other bulky items that cannot safely be carried/transported on the
bus
Passengers will:
Obey all bus rules.
Board buses in single file (pushing and shoving is not allowed)
Walk to buses (do not run) when they are loading or unloading
Use appropriate language, no profanity, hand gestures allowed
Talk at a classroom noise level, no yelling, screaming or
distracting noises
Keep hands, feet and other objects to yourself
Respect other passengers and property
Keep the interior of the bus clean and free from litter
Pay for vandalism damage to KeyLine buses
Passengers may use electronic games, media players or cell phones on the bus;
but headphones must be used on any device producing sound or music. The
volume on electronic games must be turned off.
KeyLine Transit assumes no responsibility for damaged, misplaced or stolen
items.
Rule Violation Consequences
First Incident - Student loses fifteen (1 5) school days of bus riding
privileges. KeyLine Transit notifies the
parent/guardian. The parent/guardian becomes
responsible for student transportation.
Second Incident - Student loses forty-five (45) school days of bus
riding privileges. KeyLine Transit notifies the
parent/guardian. The parent/guardian becomes
responsible for student transportation.
Third Incident - Student loses bus privileges for the remainder of
the school year. KeyLine Transit notifies the
parent/guardian. The parent/guardian becomes
responsible for student transportation.
The second and third incidents require that a Mandatory Behavior Contract be
written and signed at a conference with the student, parent/guardian, a school
representative, and the manager of KeyLine Transit before the student can begin
riding again.
KeyLine Bus Behavior Contract
During the course of the 2007 - 2008 school year,
(hereinafter "student"), has received suspension(s) from KeyLine bus(es)
operated by the City of Dubuque, KeyLine Transit. These suspensions are due
to violations of the bus rules as distibuted prior to the school year, posted at the
front of the KeyLine bus and contained in the KeyLine Bus Safety and Security Guidelines.
Due to the safety of other passengers and operators on this day of
200 it is agreed, by and between the undersigned
parties, that the above named student upon being allowed to resume use of the
KeyLine bus(es), the student will follow all posted bus rules and directions of the
bus operator.
In the event the student fails, at any time hereinafter, to follow the posted rules or
the directions of the operator, said student shall be removed from all
buses operated by the City of Dubuque, KeyLine Transit for school days.
1, , as parent/guardian of
have read and understand the above statements.
Dated this day of , 200
Signature of Parent/Guardian
Signature of Student
Signature of School Official
Signature of KeyLine Representative
KeyLine Bus Behavior Contract
During the course of the 2007 - 2008 school year,
(hereinafter "student"), has received suspension(s) from KeyLine bus(es)
operated by the City of Dubuque, KeyLine Transit. These suspensions are due
to violations of the bus rules as distibuted prior to the school year, posted at the
front of the KeyLine bus and contained in the KeyLine Bus Safety and Security Guidelines.
Due to the safety of other passengers and operators on this day of
200 it is agreed, by and between the undersigned
parties, that the above named student upon being allowed to resume use of the
KeyLine bus(es), the student will follow all posted bus rules and directions of the
bus operator.
In the event the student fails, at any time hereinafter, to follow the posted rules or
the directions of the operator, said student shall be removed from all
buses operated by the City of Dubuque, KeyLine Transit for remainder of the school
year.
as parent/guardian of
have read and understand the above statements.
Dated this day of
Signature of Parent/Guardian
200
Signature of School official
Signature of Student Signature of KeyLine Representative