SUBJECT: Public Hearing: RTA Transit Fare Increase

Meeting

Meeting Date

Agenda Category

Agenda Item #

RTA Board October 27, 2016 Action 5

REQUESTED ACTION/SUGGESTED MOTION

Approval of the recommended fare increase. Note: A Public Hearing is required for this agenda item. ASSOCIATED OWP WORK ELEMENT/GOAL

Work Element 40, Regional Transportation Planning

SUMMARY

During the City of Tucson FY 2017 budgeting process, city staff presented a number of transit service changes intended to improve existing services while also reducing costs. These proposals included route changes and the elimination of certain services deemed unnecessarily expensive. The proposal also included an increase in transit fares. The Mayor and Council concurred with staff’s budgetary recommendations, including the recommendation that adjustments to transit fares be considered to help balance the City’s General Fund budget.

These proposed changes triggered the requirement to perform an equity analysis and to hold public outreach meetings for the purpose of receiving public comment on the proposed changes. During the public outreach process between May 1 and July 28, 2016, Sun Tran and RTA staff conducted 22 public open house meetings. These meetings allowed the public to voice opinions, first about the initial proposal, and then on the various fare proposals generated in response to the input received. Feedback collected indicated that 50% of the comments received were against the increase, 19% were in favor of the increase, and 31% of the comments favored one of the three fare increase options presented.

A public hearing before the Tucson City Council was held on Sept. 7, 2016. During the Council meeting, a number of fare proposals were discussed, as well as fare policy changes. On Sept. 20, the Mayor and Council approved a fare increase and policy changes. The approved fares will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2017.

In order to maintain a seamless regional transit system, the RTA has coordinated with the City on implementing fare increases for Sun Shuttle and Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride. Adopting the new fare structure would retain a seamless transit fare structure, and help balance the RTA contribution to transit contracted services by providing modest additional revenue. The fare increase in the Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride optional ADA service area would also help offset the increased demand that service has experienced in recent years. The fare increase for trips in the optional ADA service area would result in fares that approach the targeted 20% fare recovery goal for the transit system.

A public hearing is scheduled to take place during the RTA Board meeting on Oct. 27.

Staff recommends adoption of the new fare structure on Sun Shuttle and Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride.

PRIOR BOARD AND/OR COMMITTEE ACTION

The Transit Working Group has been advised of the actions taken by Mayor and Council in adopting the proposed fare schedule for the Sun Tran and Sun Van system. The Tucson City Council approved this fare increase on Sept. 20, 2016.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Sun Shuttle and Sun Shuttle Dial-a-Ride services will recognize additional revenue should the proposed fares be adopted. The increased fares for Optional ADA Para-transit service may reduce demand for the optional trips, reducing the RTA financial commitment for these trips.

TECHNICAL, POLICY, LEGAL OR OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

None.

ATTACHED ADDITIONAL BACKUP INFORMATION

A. Proposed RTA Transit Fare Schedule

Staff

Contact/Phone

Farhad Moghimi, 495-1420

Jim DeGrood, 495-1481

James McGinnis, 49 -1483

Katharine Mitchell, 495-1415