Agenda No. 7.
CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
| City Council Meeting: | August 20, 2024 |
| Department: | Executive Team |
| Subject: | Resolution 24-R-96 - Authorizing a tenth amendment to the Interlocal Agreement with the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) to provide funding for transit services in the City of Schertz. (S.Williams/B.James) |
BACKGROUND
Schertz' residents benefit from access to ART (Alamo Regional Transit), the demand-response transit service operated by the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG). ART makes it possible for the residents that use this service to be independent and improves their quality of life. Schertz and AACOG entered into an interlocal agreement for AACOG to provide the ART service in 2013. The agreement is amended annually to establish Schertz' financial contribution for the year. A match of $42,666 is required this year, the same as the last four years. In addition to the on demand response service, two years ago ART began a one day a week fixed route. The route runs on Tuesdays and serves Schertz and Cibolo.
Ridership is down almost 40% this past year from the prior year. The attached report from AACOG provides statistics. A few things to note. As mentioned the number of trips is down from 2021 to 2022 - from 3,251 to 1,973. The City's cost remains the same as does VIA's match and ART provides $25,756 to fund the program's full cost of $111,000 for this past year. The full program cost the prior year was $176,777. Last year's agreement was approved on July 11, 2023 if Council wishes to compare all of the statistics in this year's report to last year's. One point of note, is that the City of New Braunfels became their own Transportation UZA (urbanized area) as a result of the last census, and as such have dedicated funding direct from the FTA that is no longer reported as part of this program.
As mentioned, this resolution is for the current fiscal year (October 2023 through September 2024). Staff is proposing to run the 11th agreement in a few months, but would suggest informing AACOG that the City will be exploring other options for service in the last part of this calendar year, with the goal of presenting options to Council in early 2025 and then letting AACOG staff know if we anticipate continuing to participate in the program (with ample time for AACOG to make any needed plans).
A few other communities (Kyle and Pflugerville) have begun utilizing rideshare programs. Kyle's is Uber Kyle and Pflugerville's is Pfetch a Ride. Staff is planning to explore these types of programs.
Ridership is down almost 40% this past year from the prior year. The attached report from AACOG provides statistics. A few things to note. As mentioned the number of trips is down from 2021 to 2022 - from 3,251 to 1,973. The City's cost remains the same as does VIA's match and ART provides $25,756 to fund the program's full cost of $111,000 for this past year. The full program cost the prior year was $176,777. Last year's agreement was approved on July 11, 2023 if Council wishes to compare all of the statistics in this year's report to last year's. One point of note, is that the City of New Braunfels became their own Transportation UZA (urbanized area) as a result of the last census, and as such have dedicated funding direct from the FTA that is no longer reported as part of this program.
As mentioned, this resolution is for the current fiscal year (October 2023 through September 2024). Staff is proposing to run the 11th agreement in a few months, but would suggest informing AACOG that the City will be exploring other options for service in the last part of this calendar year, with the goal of presenting options to Council in early 2025 and then letting AACOG staff know if we anticipate continuing to participate in the program (with ample time for AACOG to make any needed plans).
A few other communities (Kyle and Pflugerville) have begun utilizing rideshare programs. Kyle's is Uber Kyle and Pflugerville's is Pfetch a Ride. Staff is planning to explore these types of programs.
GOAL
Enter into the agreement with AACOG for the ART service to provide transportation service for Schertz residents.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
Allow Schertz residents to use this transportation service to improve their quality of life.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approval of Resolution 24-R-96 authorizing the City Manager to enter into this tenth amendment to the interlocal agreement with AACOG for ART service.
FISCAL IMPACT
Schertz' match will be $42,666 which has been budgeted.
RECOMMENDATION
Approval of Resolution 24-R-96.