Transit Advisory Board Student Fare Recommendation_Initiate Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Items to be set for Public Hearing # 2.
ITEM TITLE: Transit Advisory Board Student Fare Recommendation
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending that a public hearing be set
for June 6, 2016 for discussion and approval of the Jule
Transit student fares for the 2016-2017 school year as
recommended by the Transit Advisory Board.
RESOLUTION Setting the date for a public hearing
establishing a fixed-route student fare
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Adopt
Resolution(s), Set Public Hearing for 6/6/16
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Student Fare Recommendation Set Public Hearing- City Manager Memo
MVM Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Resolution Resolutions
THE CITY OF Dubuque
UBE I
erica .i
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Transit Advisory Board Student Fare Recommendation
DATE: April 26, 2016
Transit Manager Candace Eudaley and the Transit Advisory Board are recommending
that a public hearing be set for June 6, 2016 to consider implementing student fares for
the 2016-2017 school year.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mich el C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Maurice Jones, Economic Development Director
Candace Eudaley, Transit Manager
THE CITY OF Dubuque
AII-Ame1 rica City
DUBgkE r
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007.2012.2013
TO: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Candace Eudaley, Transit Manager
RE: Transit Advisory Board Student Fare Recommendation
DATE: April 20, 2016
PURPOSE
To provide a summary of discussion from the Transit Advisory Board and their recommendation
regarding student rides for the 2016-2017 school year.
BACKGROUND
Student rides totaled 161,000 in FY15 and are expected to be even higher in FY16. Along with
the increase in ridership, the number of issues with student riders and complaints about safety
from general public passengers have also increased. The Transit Advisory Board members who
ride the bus believe that students intimidate general public riders and deter choice riders during
the early morning and afternoon as students fill the buses, are loud, profane and aggressive.
During the Transit Budget hearing, council members asked staff to explore options for students
paying to ride the bus.
All Iowa cities, with the exception of Davenport, charge a student fare ranging from $0.60 to
$1.55 per ride. School Year passes are available in about half of the cities for a cost ranging
from $160 to $200.
The Transit Advisory Board has had lengthy discussion of student accountability and payment
for rides over the course of the past year. The board requested that the Transit Manager talk
with DCSD staff regarding their openness to an annual pass and fee to be implemented using
swipe card technology. The Transit Manager met with DCSD Director of School and Community
Relations, Jefferson and Washington Middle School Principals and all parties were in
agreement that a minimal annual fee and the tracking capabilities of the swipe card would be
beneficial from both school and transit administration standpoints.
The Transit Advisory Board discussed the merits of offering an annual student bus pass as well
as a student fare to help deter students from riding short distances for the sake of riding. They
also discussed the benefits of having the ability to truly ban a student from riding who
continually breaks the rules while on board.
DISCUSSION
The Transit Advisory Board made a formal recommendation at their March 2016 meeting to
establish a student fare type. In this proposed scenario, all passengers will either be swiping a
card when they enter the bus or putting cash or coins in to the farebox.
Under the Transit Advisory Board's recommendation, each student aged 11-18 will show a
current year school ID when they purchase their$10 annual pass. They will be assigned a
swipe card and ID that can be deactivated in the case of poor behavior.
If a student aged 11-18 does not buy the annual pass, they can pay $0.75, the standard half-
fare, by showing a current school year ID.
Students under 11 years of age would continue to ride for free, but would need to request the
student swipe card for age verification.
The Transit Advisory Board advised that staff either be available or coordinate with the school
district to sell the annual passes during student orientation as well as where Jule bus passes
are sold.
FINANCIAL
There will be revenue related to this item, however, it is difficult to estimate. If 500 students
purchase the annual pass, fare revenue for fixed-route would increase by$5,000.
RECOMMENDATION/ACTION
The Transit Advisory Board has recommended that the following student fare type be created at
a rate of$0.75 per ride with school ID for students 11-18 and a student pass with an annual fee
of$10.00 for ages 11-18. Students under 11 years of age would continue to ride free with a free
student swipe card. The Transit Advisory Board recommended that these changes go into effect
with the 2016-2017 school year.
In concurrence with the Transit Advisory Board recommendation, I recommend that City Council
set public hearing at the May 2, 2016 meeting with public hearing to be held on June 6, 2016 for
the new fare type as presented in accordance with City Ordinance 60-10.
RESOLUTION NO. 175-16
SETTING THE DATE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ESTABLISHING A FIXED -ROUTE
STUDENT FARE
Whereas, the City of Dubuque provides fixed -route and paratransit services for the
citizens of Dubuque; and
Whereas, the number of rides to students has increased; and
Whereas, the cost to provide said services have continued to increase; and
Whereas, The City of Dubuque desires to continue to provide fixed -route and
paratransit services to its citizens; and
Whereas, the proposed fare will impact student riders and
Whereas, a student fare is proposed to include a per -ride and low-cost annual pass
option for students, the following student fare type categories and fares are proposed:
Student Fixed -Route Fares
Student under 11 years
Free with Jule -issued Swipe Card
Student 11-18 years annual pass
$10 annual pass with proof of age
Student 11-18 years per ride
$0.75 per ride with student ID
If approved, the proposed fixed -route fare type and related revisions take effect on
August 1, 2016.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1: A public hearing will be held as part of the City Council Budget Hearing
meeting on June 6, 2016. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the City
Council Chambers of the Historic Federal Building, 350 W 6th Street, Dubuque, Iowa.
The purpose of the hearing is to allow public comment on the establishment of a student
fare type.
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
increase.
Passed, approved and adopted this 2nd day of May, 2016.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
KevintS. Firnstahl; C =, City Clerk
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
OFFICIAL NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Dubuque City Council will conduct a public
hearing at a meeting to commence at 6:30 p.m. on June 6, 2016, in the Historic Federal
Building Council Chambers (second floor), 350 West 6th Street, on a proposed Jule
Transit student fare to include a per -ride and low-cost annual pass option for students.
The following student fare type categories and fares are proposed:
Student Fixed -Route Fares
Student under 11 years: Free with Jule -issued Swipe Card
Student 11-18 years annual pass: $10 annual pass with proof of age
Student 11-18 years per ride: $0.75 per ride with student ID
Written comments regarding the above public hearings may be submitted to the City
Clerk's Office on or before saidtime of public hearing. At said time and place of public
hearings all interested citizens and parties will be given an opportunity to be heard for or
against said actions.
Copies of supporting documents for the public hearings are on file in the City Clerk's
Office and may be viewed during regular working hours.
Any visual or hearing impaired persons needing special assistance or persons with
special accessibility needs should contact the City Clerk's Office at (563) 589-4100 or
TTY (563) 690-66.78 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Kevin S. Firnstahl, CMC, City Clerk
1t 5/20