| AGENDA ITEM #: 7. DATE: 07/12/2021 AI #:173 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | APPROVE AMENDMENT TEN TO THE IGA BETWEEN THE CITY OF GOODYEAR AND THE REGIONAL PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY FOR THE CONTINUED PROVISION OF TRANSIT SERVICES |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Christine McMurdy, Project Management Coordinator |
SUMMARY
The tenth amendment to the IGA will renew Valley Metro’s obligation to provide express bus trips at the Goodyear Park and Ride, fixed route bus service on Route 3 and Route 17, Zoom Circulator service along Litchfield and McDowell Roads and Paratransit/Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) services via Dial A Ride and the RideChoice program. American Rescue Plan federal funding will offset $32,050 of the city’s cost to provide FY2022 Zoom, Dial A Ride and RideChoice services, requiring a city share of $368,780.
Recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to approve Transit Services Amendment Ten between the City of Goodyear and the Regional Public Transit Authority for the continued provision of transit services in Goodyear and related FY2022 budget transfer. (Christine McMurdy, Project Management Coordinator)
FISCAL IMPACT
The FY2022 total cost of the city’s share of services under this agreement is $368,780, which is composed of $235,434 for the Avondale Zoom extension in Goodyear, $110,718 for Regional Paratransit and $22,628 for RideChoice services.
The Zoom cost is only for the portion of the route in Goodyear. The cost, net of fare revenue, is split between Federal operating assistance and the city. The city share of $235,434 is included in the FY2022 base budget using Arizona Lottery Funds (ALF). This is an increase of $44,992 from FY2020 (FY2021 transit expenses were offset by federal CARES Act funds), due to reduced fare revenue and a financial adjustment requested by the Contractor to mitigate service reductions in the region caused by the pandemic.
The FY2022 city share of the cost to provide federally mandated paratransit service is $133,346 after fare revenue and $14,440 in Public Transportation Funds (Prop 400) is deducted. Staff is requesting a budget transfer in the amount of $62,427 from the ALF fund balance ($805,944.33) to cover the increased cost.
The Zoom cost is only for the portion of the route in Goodyear. The cost, net of fare revenue, is split between Federal operating assistance and the city. The city share of $235,434 is included in the FY2022 base budget using Arizona Lottery Funds (ALF). This is an increase of $44,992 from FY2020 (FY2021 transit expenses were offset by federal CARES Act funds), due to reduced fare revenue and a financial adjustment requested by the Contractor to mitigate service reductions in the region caused by the pandemic.
The FY2022 city share of the cost to provide federally mandated paratransit service is $133,346 after fare revenue and $14,440 in Public Transportation Funds (Prop 400) is deducted. Staff is requesting a budget transfer in the amount of $62,427 from the ALF fund balance ($805,944.33) to cover the increased cost.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
Schedule A of the Amendment refers to regionally funded Fixed Route Bus Service, which includes the Route 562 Express bus operating out of the Goodyear Park and Ride Monday through Friday, Route 17 (McDowell Road) and Route 3 (Van Buren), which operate Monday through Sunday. Public Transportation Funds (Prop 400) pay for these services.
Schedule B refers to the Avondale ZOOM neighborhood circulator, which connects residents of Goodyear, Avondale and Tolleson to local destinations for $0.50 per ride. In Goodyear, the route operates from Dysart & McDowell Road west to Litchfield Road, north to Indian School Road and east to north 138th Drive. The Circulator operates Monday-Friday from 5am-9pm, and Saturday, and Sunday from 6am-6pm. The cost of service for FY2022 is $235,434.
Schedule C refers to federally mandated ADA Paratransit (Dial A Ride) service, which is required to be provided within ¾ miles of Route 17, Route 3 and the ZOOM circulator route in Goodyear. Schedule C of the Amendment shows that after the city’s allocation of Proposition 400 Paratransit funds (identified in Schedule E), the cost for Paratransit service in FY22 is $110,718.
Schedule D refers to the RideChoice program, which offers ADA certified residents of Goodyear a trip to work, school or medical appointments for $3 for up to 8 miles or a mileage-based option that allows customers up to 400 miles per month, for trips of up to 50 miles in length, for $3 per trip. The cost of service for FY2022 is $22,628. The city pays for RideChoice services using advertising revenue from the Digital Marquee at the Park and Ride.
Schedule B refers to the Avondale ZOOM neighborhood circulator, which connects residents of Goodyear, Avondale and Tolleson to local destinations for $0.50 per ride. In Goodyear, the route operates from Dysart & McDowell Road west to Litchfield Road, north to Indian School Road and east to north 138th Drive. The Circulator operates Monday-Friday from 5am-9pm, and Saturday, and Sunday from 6am-6pm. The cost of service for FY2022 is $235,434.
Schedule C refers to federally mandated ADA Paratransit (Dial A Ride) service, which is required to be provided within ¾ miles of Route 17, Route 3 and the ZOOM circulator route in Goodyear. Schedule C of the Amendment shows that after the city’s allocation of Proposition 400 Paratransit funds (identified in Schedule E), the cost for Paratransit service in FY22 is $110,718.
Schedule D refers to the RideChoice program, which offers ADA certified residents of Goodyear a trip to work, school or medical appointments for $3 for up to 8 miles or a mileage-based option that allows customers up to 400 miles per month, for trips of up to 50 miles in length, for $3 per trip. The cost of service for FY2022 is $22,628. The city pays for RideChoice services using advertising revenue from the Digital Marquee at the Park and Ride.
STAFF ANALYSIS
Coronavirus Impacts to Transit
Valley Metro began instituting additional safety measures on bus and Light Rail in March 2020, including distancing between operators and passengers by requiring passengers to enter and exit the bus using only the rear doors. Bus operators had to inspect evidence of fare payment from their rearview mirrors in order to comply with CDC recommended distancing protocols.
Valley Metro staff also began posting notices warning passengers that transit service adjustments would be necessary due to reduced ridership and bus/train operator shortages. In April 2020, Valley Metro eliminated one of the four daily round trips on Express Route 562 because passenger counts on each of the buses were around five or fewer. Vanpools also began declining. Valley Metro replaced the smaller Zoom Circulator buses with larger, 40’ buses normally used for longer trips across the valley to allow for social distancing. By the end of April, combined bus and rail ridership hovered around 50% below 2019 levels and Paratransit saw a 70% reduction in trip requests.
While ridership is still well below pre-pandemic levels, staff is seeing some very gradual improvement in passenger boardings on Paratransit and Zoom service. Express bus use will be the slowest to recover because many of these passengers are choice riders – they have options on whether to telecommute, drive or ride the bus.
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ZOOM Ridership
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Paratransit Services – Dial A Ride & RideChoice
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Valley Metro began instituting additional safety measures on bus and Light Rail in March 2020, including distancing between operators and passengers by requiring passengers to enter and exit the bus using only the rear doors. Bus operators had to inspect evidence of fare payment from their rearview mirrors in order to comply with CDC recommended distancing protocols.
Valley Metro staff also began posting notices warning passengers that transit service adjustments would be necessary due to reduced ridership and bus/train operator shortages. In April 2020, Valley Metro eliminated one of the four daily round trips on Express Route 562 because passenger counts on each of the buses were around five or fewer. Vanpools also began declining. Valley Metro replaced the smaller Zoom Circulator buses with larger, 40’ buses normally used for longer trips across the valley to allow for social distancing. By the end of April, combined bus and rail ridership hovered around 50% below 2019 levels and Paratransit saw a 70% reduction in trip requests.
While ridership is still well below pre-pandemic levels, staff is seeing some very gradual improvement in passenger boardings on Paratransit and Zoom service. Express bus use will be the slowest to recover because many of these passengers are choice riders – they have options on whether to telecommute, drive or ride the bus.
ZOOM Ridership
Paratransit Services – Dial A Ride & RideChoice