TAMRMS#: B06
title
Students Ride Free - Local Transit
Presented by: Anthony Lake, Director, Public Works & Transit
label
RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
That the following postponed motion be approved:
(PM-21-017)
That the pilot project to provide free local public transit for youth between the ages of 12-18 years old, become a permanent program of the City of St. Albert and the 2021 budget be reduced by $4,200 to be reflective of projected ridership.
body
PURPOSE OF REPORT
To provide an update to Council on the on the Free Local Transit for Youth Program and recommend that the program become permanent.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
On ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On November 21, 2019 Council passed the following motion PM-20-048:
“That the Free Local Transit for Youth program be extended to December 31, 2020 and that the 2020 revenue budget be reduced, on a one-time basis, in the amount of $9,000.”
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The pilot project was launched on March 1, 2019 at the direction of City Council, with 15 St. Albert middle & junior high schools participating. All 12 of the retail outlets selling St. Albert fare media opted to participate.
The Students Ride Free Program aims to encourage youth to ride transit and become lifelong customers.
To date St. Albert Transit has provided 84,000 trips (March 2019 - Mid October) approximately 75,000 specific to the 2019/2020 school term.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
N/A
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDED MOTION
The pilot project has been successful at increasing local ridership with youth between the ages of 12-18. It will continue to reinforce good transit habits at an early age that could carry on to the post-secondary and adult stages of their lives.
Financial:
If the program is made permanent, a $4,200 reduction in 2021 revenues will be evident. If conventional ridership ...
Click here for full text