04-16-19 - Item 04 - Evaluation of Senior Discount For City Transportation Councilmember ShewmakerAGENDA ITEM NO. 4
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina | Office of the City Manager
DATE:April 16, 2019
TO:Mayor and City Council
FROM:David Carmany
Interim City Manager
SUBJECT:EVALUATION OF SENIOR DISCOUNT FOR CITY TRANSPORTATION-
COUNCILMEMBER SHEWMAKER
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council direct the City Manager to reduce the Dial A Ride and City
Shuttle fare from $1.00 per ride (one way) to $0.50 per ride for seniors ages 55 and over.
BACKGROUND:
This item was requested to be agendized by Councilmember Jessica Shewmaker at the March 5,
2019 City Council Meeting.
DISCUSSION:
MV Transportation, Inc. (MV) has staffed and managed the City of West Covina's Fixed Route
Shuttle (Shuttle) and Dial-A-Ride (DAR) services since March 2014. The Shuttle service consists of
three alignments (Red, Blue, and Green) that operate Monday-Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The estimated annual hours of operation for the Shuttle service are 11,650, with over 47,925 annual
passengers in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-18. The City Shuttle program is open to riders of all ages
including school-age children. The DAR operates Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and
Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The estimated annual hours of operation for the DAR service are
7,600, with over 15,945 annual passengers in FY 2017-18. The City's DAR program predominately
serves seniors and individuals who are disabled.
Fare revenue offsets the contract cost of providing the services. Fare rates are set by the City. The
current fare of $1 for a one-way trip on the Dial-A-Ride or Shuttle was made effective on January 6,
2014, with the September 17, 2013, approval of the City Fee Schedule. The increase in the fare from
$0.50 to $1.00 was recommended by staff in June 2013 to offset anticipated higher fuel costs and the
expected increase in a new contract which required new vehicles. It should be noted that this
occurred prior to the award of the transit contract to MV in December 2013.
Revenue collected in FY 2017-18 for the DAR program totaled $14,507. Revenue collected for the
Shuttle program totaled $45,415. If the City provides a senior discount for riders of either or both
the transit programs, it is reasonable to expect that the City would need to use additional
transportation funds from Prop C and Measure R to compensate for the loss of fare revenue. A
reduction in fare, however, may potentially increase ridership, helping to make up the difference.
MV is able to accommodate the decrease in fare cost for seniors, but the drivers do not make change
and only take the exact fare amount.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options:
1.Approve staff's recommendation; or
2.Provide alternative direction.
Prepared by: Kelly McDonald, Public Services Manager
Additional Approval: Nikole Bresciani, Assistant City Manager/Public Services Director
Fiscal Impact
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient funds available in Prop C and Measure R to compensate for the loss in fare
revenue which may result from a discount in the fare for senior riders. There is no impact to the
General Fund.