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R-12-07-26-G2 - 7/26/2012 S 4 RESOLUTION NO. R-12-07-26-G2 t h WHEREAS, the City Council desires to approve a written Fare and Major Service Reduction Policy governing demand response bus service and future transit services, and E WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the attached Policy and wishes to approve same, Now Therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TEXAS, That the Fare and Major Service Reduction Policy, attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and I incorporated herein, is hereby approved and adopted. The City Council hereby finds and declares that written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of the meeting at which this Resolution was adopted was posted and that such meeting was open to the public as required by law at all times during which this Resolution and the subject matter hereof were discussed, considered and formally acted upon, all as required by the Open Meetings Act, , Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, as amended. RESOLVED this 26th day of July, 2012. 4 i. ALAN MCGRAW, Mayor City of Round Rock, Texas i W ATTEST: SARA L. WHITE, City Clerk k f i s d. 0:Awdox\SCC1ntsV0112\1204\MUNICIPALV00254346.DOCrmc r s t s ROUND ROCK PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Fare and Major Service Reduction Policy Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish goals, objectives and guidelines to assist City of Round Rock staff in making decisions regarding adjustments to fares and major service reductions. 4 Goal The goal of this Policy is to support the City of Round Rock's overall strategic mission to provide quality public transportation choices for our community which meets the needs # of our growing region. The City will strive to provide an equitable public transportation service, which takes into account the socioeconomic make-up of our customers. The City will establish a public transportation system which is uniform and easy to understand. t r f r R k i t k {S i i i a i S i I I i EXHIBIT Page 1 a E 3 t Fare Policy Objectives: The following objectives are designed to support the City of Round Rock's policy goal and balance the desire to keep fares affordable for Round Rock public r. transportation customers with the need to maximize fare revenue to help maintain and expand operations. All fare adjustments will follow the process as outlined in this policy. fi 1. Customer/Community: City staff will consider what the impact of setting or restructuring fares has on customers and the community. The City seeks to set fares which are equitable to the widest possible range of existing and potential { users. The fare structure will always take into account the socioeconomic make-up of our customers. The City will establish fares which are uniform and } easy to understand for all public transportation options provided by the City. 2. Financial: Fare revenue is an important component of the operating budget for public transportation provided by the City. Fare revenue helps offset the cost of operating the system; the City's fare structure will support a predictable f fare revenue stream. Setting or restructuring fares should ensure the total fare t revenue stream is maintained at an appropriate level. The City Council and staff will consider what the financial impact of setting or restructuring fares has on the long-term sustainability of public transportation provided by the City. The City will monitor ridership, operational productivity, and efficiency and propose fare adjustments, as necessary. Fare Change Process: The following guidelines outline the required steps for developing, evaluating and implementing fare changes. 1. Recommendations for setting or restructuring fares will be developed by city staff, in keeping with this policy. Multi-year increases may be proposed. 2. City staff will complete or have completed an operations and ridership analysis to evaluate the overall costs of operating the service and levels of ridership. 3. A public meeting will be held to solicit public comments on any fare increases. There will be a minimum ten (10) calendar day notice prior to the meeting. Public comments will also be received via email and regular mail for those persons who cannot attend the public meeting. All public comments will be considered by the City before any fare adjustments are made. 4. All fare structure changes, adjustments or increases must be approved by the City Council. Page 12 h. S T k 5. Once fare increase(s) have been approved by the City Council, appropriate ads will be placed with local media outlets, posted on public transportation vehicles and posted on the City's website 30 days prior to the effective date of the fare increase. Fare Policy Review: The City of Round Rock will review its fare policy and pricing annually with the expectation fares may be adjusted as necessary to keep pace with the rate of increase in the cost of operations. Generally, fare changes will become effective at the beginning of the fiscal year, October 1St. The City reserves the right to make fare ti adjustments at any time due to unexpected operational impacts. x t s g€, f F k zS tt S t Page 3 F' F Maior Service Reduction Policy Definition: A major service reduction is defined as a reduction in service which impacts at least half of the users of the City's public transportation. Objective: The City Council and staff will consider the impact that reducing service has on customers and the community. f' Major Service Reduction Process: The following guidelines outline the required steps for developing, evaluating and implementing a service reduction. Z 1. Recommendations for major service reductions will be developed by city staff, in keeping with this policy. 2. City staff will complete or have completed an analysis to evaluate the overall impact of the service reduction. 3. A public hearing is required for any major service reduction, with a minimum 21 calendar day notice prior to such hearing. 4. All major service reductions must be approved by the City Council. f 5. Once major service reductions have been approved by the City Council, F> appropriate ads will be placed with local media outlets, posted on public transportation vehicles and posted on the City's website 30 days prior to the effective date of the service reduction. Major Service Reduction Review: The City of Round Rock will review its public transportation service annually with the expectation service may be adjusted, as necessary. 4 Emergencies: Notwithstanding the above policy, the City Council or City Manager may with no notice, make reductions in service in times of emergencies, such as adverse weather, mass evacuations, etc. Once the emergency has ended the service will be f returned to its pre-emergency service level. The return to pre-emergency service level may be done in stages. ; Y i; S' E { t Z Page 4 ROUND ROCK,TEW City Council Agenda Summary Sheet c PURPOSE.PASSION.PROSPERITY. Agenda Item No. G2. ` Consider a resolution approving a "Fare and Major Service Reduction" policy governing Agenda Caption: demand response bus service and future transit services. Meeting Date: July 26, 2012 Department: Transportation Staff Person making presentation: Gary Hudder k Transportation Director i e I Item Summary: '. In order to be able to adjust fares and/or make major service reductions the City is required by 49 U.S.C. Section 5307 to create a policy covering the process the City will follow to adjust fares and/or make major service reductions. l f Cost: N/A Source of Funds: N/A Date of Public Hearing(if required): N/A Recommended Action: Approval