| AGENDA ITEM #: 1. DATE: 04/05/2021 CAR #: |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | RIDECHOICE PILOT PROGRAM REVIEW |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Tom Young, Valley Metro Accessible Transit Services Manager and Christine McMurdy, Project Management Coordinator |
OTHER PRESENTER(S):
Tom Young, Valley Metro Accessible Transit Services Manager
SUMMARY:
Council to receive an update on the status of the RideChoice Pilot Program
Recommendation:
Staff is requesting Council authorization to continue the RideChoice program in FY22. (Tom Young, Valley Metro Accessible Transit Services Manager and Christine McMurdy, Project Management Coordinator)
FISCAL IMPACT:
Continued funding for the RideChoice program was requested in the FY22 supplemental budget and is included in the RPTA IGA scheduled for Council action on 4/12/2021
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS:
The purpose of this work session is to provide an overview of the progress of the two-year RideChoice Pilot Program, which started in October 2019. The Pilot Program will end in October 2021.
On June 3, 2019, staff presented the RideChoice program at a City Council Work Session regarding Goodyear's Paratransit (Dial A Ride) service. In addition to being a less expensive alternative to Dial A Ride, RideChoice does not adhere to a federally mandated service area, so the service is available to all Goodyear residents that are ADA certified. If qualified, residents can reserve a ride to work, school or medical appointments for a fare of $3 for up to 8 miles, with any additional miles costing $2 per mile. Users of the service may take up to 20 trips per month. If customers need to take longer trips, they can receive their service as a monthly allocation of 400 miles for trips of no more than 50 miles in length within Maricopa County.
On June 3, 2019, staff presented the RideChoice program at a City Council Work Session regarding Goodyear's Paratransit (Dial A Ride) service. In addition to being a less expensive alternative to Dial A Ride, RideChoice does not adhere to a federally mandated service area, so the service is available to all Goodyear residents that are ADA certified. If qualified, residents can reserve a ride to work, school or medical appointments for a fare of $3 for up to 8 miles, with any additional miles costing $2 per mile. Users of the service may take up to 20 trips per month. If customers need to take longer trips, they can receive their service as a monthly allocation of 400 miles for trips of no more than 50 miles in length within Maricopa County.
STAFF ANALYSIS
Ridership on RideChoice began outpacing Dial A Ride trips in April 2020, and RideChoice continues to exceed requests for Dial A Ride service in Goodyear through February 2021. Staff recommends continuing the program.