HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.16.22 Transit Board Staff ReportPlease contact the Transit Advisory Board at TAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns
TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD
STAFF REPORT
November 16, 2022
PUBLIC COMMENT
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
1. New Board Member – Jeff Armstrong
2. Access to Jobs Potentially Going Up – The board may be familiar with GO
Transit’s employment transportation program called “Access to Jobs”. This service
is a shared-ride, demand response transportation service designed to assist low
income individuals get to and from work. The current one way cost for a ride is $4.
The service is available when the bus is not in service or the bus stop is not within
reasonable walking distance. To qualify for Access to Jobs you must: live and work
in the City of Oshkosh, work at least 30 hours per week, have a work assignment
for a minimum of 2 weeks and have a household income that is at or below 225%
of the federal poverty level. The federal poverty level is updated at the beginning
of each year. Currently, 225% of the federal poverty level equates to an hourly
wage of $14.70 for a family of one. The level is adjusted by family size. Over the
last year or so, starting hourly wages have increased to $15 or more for many entry
level jobs causing many entry level employees to not qualify for this program. To
address this, GO Transit applied for a 2023 grant with the Oshkosh United Way
that would enable us to increase the qualification level for the Access to Jobs
program to 275% of the federal poverty level. The grant application was successful
and if accepted would allow those earning less than 275% of the federal poverty
level to be eligible for this program. This new qualifying wage equates to
approximately $17.97 per hour for a family of one (based on 2022 levels). This
program is consistent with GO Transit’s mission to provide reliable, affordable
and accessible public transportation to support our community’s mobility needs.
The program also matches nicely with Oshkosh United Way’s goal to help citizens
find and maintain employment that offers a family-sustaining wage.
We are looking for board support to accept this grant. Grant acceptance will then
be presented to the Oshkosh Common Council for acceptance approval.
3. Neenah Transit Center – The Neenah Transit Center is moving to an area near
Neenah’s City Hall. We are in the process of updating maps and brochures to
reflect the new location.
STAFF STATEMENTS
4. Student Ridership - We met with the school district and common council to
discuss how the program is going. We are experiencing record student ridership and
some challenges. It sounds like the school district and council are both in favor of
continuing the program along with some improvements to manage behavior on the
bus and at the transit center. The current 3 year pilot goes through the end of this
school year.
5. Update on Renovations at the Downtown Transit Center – The project should be
completed soon. We are working on environmental for a potential Phase 2.
6. New Hybrid Bus delivery update
FUTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
ADJOURNMENT