| ITEM #: 5. DATE: 11/13/2023 AI #:1745 |
 |
CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | AUTHORIZATION OF EXPENDITURE OF REMAINING FY2024 EXPENSES FOR WERIDE MICROTRANSIT SERVICE |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Christine McMurdy, Project Management Coordinator |
SUMMARY
A request to authorize an expenditure of up to $1,000,000 for the remaining 8 months of FY2024 expenses related to the WeRIDE Microtransit Service.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
.png) |
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the expenditure of up to $1,000,000 for the remaining 8 months of FY2024 expenses related to the WeRIDE Microtransit Service. (Christine McMurdy, Project Management Coordinator)
FISCAL IMPACT
In the Fiscal Year 2023 budget, the City Council approved a supplemental request for $500,000 of local funds from the Park and Ride fund and $500,000 of federal funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for a total of $1M. An additional $50,000 in one-time funds was also approved for marketing expenses.
In order to align the Professional Services Agreement with the City’s fiscal year, staff shortened the second year of WeRIDE service to eight months. Increased service demand requires the addition of a Dodge Promaster Van to the current fleet of four (4) WeRIDE vehicles for the Goodyear zone. Staff is also changing the service hours from the current 7AM-7PM to 6AM-8PM to allow customers an opportunity to get to work in the morning and travel to dining and entertainment in the evening. An additional $10,000 is requested to cover maintenance costs for vehicle repairs if necessary.
Staff is requesting $500,000 of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds through the City of Phoenix Public Transit Department (PTD) to offset some of the operating costs for the shortened second year of service. Timing of the receipt of these funds is relatively uncertain. Should these funds become available during FY24, staff will request approval of the associated Intergovernmental Agreement from the City of Phoenix to offset expenditures from the second year of service. If the funds are delayed until FY25, staff will apply them to the third year of WeRIDE service. The balance of funding for the second year of service will come from the Park and Ride fund (Fund 207).
In order to align the Professional Services Agreement with the City’s fiscal year, staff shortened the second year of WeRIDE service to eight months. Increased service demand requires the addition of a Dodge Promaster Van to the current fleet of four (4) WeRIDE vehicles for the Goodyear zone. Staff is also changing the service hours from the current 7AM-7PM to 6AM-8PM to allow customers an opportunity to get to work in the morning and travel to dining and entertainment in the evening. An additional $10,000 is requested to cover maintenance costs for vehicle repairs if necessary.
Staff is requesting $500,000 of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds through the City of Phoenix Public Transit Department (PTD) to offset some of the operating costs for the shortened second year of service. Timing of the receipt of these funds is relatively uncertain. Should these funds become available during FY24, staff will request approval of the associated Intergovernmental Agreement from the City of Phoenix to offset expenditures from the second year of service. If the funds are delayed until FY25, staff will apply them to the third year of WeRIDE service. The balance of funding for the second year of service will come from the Park and Ride fund (Fund 207).
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
WeRIDE is a Microtransit service piloted by the City from November 2022-23. WeRIDE offers residents and visitors a demand-response, shared ride service within a 17-square mile area of central Goodyear, allowing them to get to jobs, shopping, healthcare, and recreation facilities via an efficient, affordable and convenient transit service.
The request to continue the service for an additional seven months is based on consistent growth in ridership over the pilot year, the success of the key performance indicators and unanimous Council support. The City Council will be offered the option to continue the service into a third year through a supplemental request during the FY2025 budget cycle.
The request to continue the service for an additional seven months is based on consistent growth in ridership over the pilot year, the success of the key performance indicators and unanimous Council support. The City Council will be offered the option to continue the service into a third year through a supplemental request during the FY2025 budget cycle.
STAFF ANALYSIS
Over 13,000 customers took a trip on WeRIDE in Goodyear during the Pilot year of service. Data provided by the technology contractor shows that the top 20 destinations needed by vulnerable populations in the central Goodyear area are being requested, and ridership statistics indicate over twenty (20) passengers per day are advance booking their trips on a regular basis. These destinations include schools, jobs, groceries, medical offices and retail.