TAMRMS#: B06
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Free Local Transit for Youth
Notice given by: Councillor Joly
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BUDGET POSTPONED MOTION:
recommendation
That the Free Local Transit for Youth program is extended to December 31, 2020.
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POSTPONED MOTION ADMINISTRATIVE BACKGROUNDER:
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Administration’s Understanding of Intent Motion:
The “Free Local Transit for Youth” program is slated for discontinuation at the end of June 2020.
Due to the success of the program, Council wishes to extend this period to end of 2020 - six additional months.
Operational or Organizational Impacts if Motion is Approved:
Organizationally, the program has been established and staff have structured their workloads to administer it on an on-going basis. This current practice will continue with no significant impact on resources.
Financial Implications of Motions:
Since the program was introduced, sales of local senior/student passes have declined from approximately 51 to 17 passes per month on average. At $40.60 per pass, this represents a revenue impact of $1,380 per month. To extend the program to the end of 2020 (additional six months) would increase the negative revenue impact by $8,280.00
Currently, youths wishing to ride are asked to deposit a special ticket into the fare box so the that Administration can gather data on usage. This requirement could be discontinued after June of 2020, and additional printing costs would not be incurred.
Usage of Free tickets on Handibus represents less than $1000 per year.
Total estimated cost to extend program six months = $9,000.
For clarity, it is recommended that motion be extended to add "..and that the 2020 revenue budget be reduced, on a one-time basis, in the amount of $9,000"
Stakeholder Consultations:
Communications would have to take place with the schools and the School Boards. Announcements at the schools have proven to be the most effective way of informing the youth of the details of the program. Retail outlets would no longer be required to stock ticket books. It is not anticipated that the extension would encounter any resistance from any party.
Background:
The goals of the “Free Local Transit for Youth” program were to 1.) raise ridership on the local network, 2.) explore ways to assist families and school boards with local school travel, and 3.) expose youth to transit and hopefully develop habits that they will carry forward to adulthood. This pilot program is slated for discontinuation at the end of June 2020.
Due to the success of the program, Council proposes to extend this period to end of 2020 - six additional months. Administration recommends maintaining the practice of ticket usage at least to the end of the original mandate (end of June 2020) so that ridership usage can continue to be assessed over the course of an entire school year, after which the requirement to deposit a ticket can be discontinued - and additional printing costs will not be incurred.
There may be implications to parents of students if their children who use the program for the first four months of the school year are then subjected to the cost of pass purchases for the remainder of the year. These parents may potentially demand that the schools re-admit their children to school bus programs, to which schools would have to adapt mid-year.
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Report Date: November 21, 2019
Author: Tony Lake
Department: Public Works & Transit
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble
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