Title
Fare Policy Amendment to Platinum Pass Program (Ordinance S-47398)
Description
Request the City Council amend the City of Phoenix’s Public Transit Fare Ordinance to expand the eligibility requirements of the regional Platinum Pass Program to allow more organizations the option to participate in the program.
Report
Summary
The Platinum Pass is a transit-specific smart card currently available to organizations (schools, employers, etc.) for their employees or students. The cardholder registers each trip when boarding local or Express/RAPID bus or rail service, and at the end of each month, an invoice and itemized statement is issued to each organization for each card’s use up to the monthly cap. The organization is responsible for the costs incurred by its users, usually through trip reduction programs or as a subsidized employer benefit.
While other organizations have expressed interest in the Platinum Pass Program, the current Fare Ordinance language limits participation to employees and students only, thereby excluding organizations who wish to offer the program to their tenants, residents, or other individuals.
Recently, the Public Transit Department and Valley Metro were approached by a real estate developer building a 1,000 resident, car-free community adjacent to the light rail system in Tempe. The developer is considering offering the Platinum Pass as a benefit to their residents with the goal of car-free residents accessing transportation conveniently and consistently throughout the metro Phoenix area. Broadening the eligibility requirements of the Platinum Pass Program would allow organizations the option to offer the Platinum Pass to their residents.
Public Transit staff request that the City Council approve an amendment to the City of Phoenix Public Transit Fare Ordinance to expand the Platinum Pass Program, thus making it available to companies, agencies, or organizations for their employees, students, tenants, residents, or other individuals permitted to participate by each organization. The amendment request will also be heard by the Valley Metro Board at an upcoming meeting.
Financial Impact
No financial impact is anticipated with the fare policy revision.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Citizen's Transportation Commission heard this item on Feb. 25, 2021.
The Transportation, Infrastructure and Innovation Subcommittee recommended approval of this item on March 3, 2021, by a vote of 4-0.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit Department.