HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-146APRIL 28, 2009 09 -146 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED 5 -0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN )
PURPOSE: ACCEPTANCE OF THE REVISED OSHKOSH TRANSIT
SYSTEM FARE STRUCTURE
INITIATED BY: TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDED BY: TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD
WHEREAS, the Federal Transit Administration provides financial assistance for
capital improvement projects and transit operating assistance; and
WHEREAS, the Secretary of Transportation is authorized to make grants for the
above types of mass transit projects; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Transit Administration has imposed certain planning
requirements to be completed prior to route and fare modifications; and
WHEREAS, the Transit Advisory Board has afforded the opportunity for interested
persons and agencies to be heard with respect to the social, economic and environmental
aspects of this project; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh that the following modifications to the Oshkosh Transit System fare structure be
adopted.
EAA (one -way) .............................. $1.50
EAA (round trip ) .............................. $3.00
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City of Oshkosh - Transportation Department (1 fpk - ) rI---I
926 Dempsey Trail, Oshkosh, WI 54902 (920) 232 -5342 (920)232 -5343 fax
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mark Rohloff, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Strong, Transportation Director
DATE: April 22, 2009
RE: RESOLUTION REVISING THE OSHKOSH TRANSIT SYSTEM
FARESTRUCTURE
The Transit Advisory Board is recommending a fare change to our EAA fare schedule.
Oshkosh Transit System staff has been examining how our shuttle service to the annual
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture event complies with recently issued
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulations on charter service. Our review concluded that
the service complies with the regulation with one possible exception, which relates to the fare
that is charged. The regulation says that the transit provider cannot charge a "premium fare" for
the service, which it defines as a fare exceeding the provider's normal fixed route fare.
In 2008, the EAA fare was $5.00 for a round trip, with an EAA pass (which allows for rides on
our entire fixed route system during EAA) available for $20.00. A round trip on the Neenah
Route (# 10) is our highest fare on other fixed -route service, with a $2.00 one -way fare ($4.00
round trip). Our remaining fixed routes all have a $1.00 one -way fare ($2.00 round trip). The
EAA route is different from all of our other routes. Its route distance is more than most of our
routes but is less than Neenah. Its service hours go into the evenings after our other routes stop
service. Its service frequency is generally comparable with our routes within the City, with more
frequent service offered during peak periods.
In our assessment, we believe that a $1.50 one -way fare, as an average between the Neenah
Route and the normal fixed route fare, is a reasonable fare for this service. With this fare level
we would recommend that the round trip fare be reduced to $3.00. This is the level it was at in
2005.
In order to minimize passenger inconvenience, it is important to encourage quick boarding on the
buses. The use of round trip tickets and EAA passes helps to do that. We believe an increase in
the EAA pass price might encourage more passengers to pay for round trip tickets, which would
increase delay for passengers and buses. On the other hand, a decrease in the EAA pass price
would reduce revenues from this service. In addition, the current pass price is convenient from a
payment perspective. Therefore, we do not recommend changing the EAA pass price at this time.