Title
Fare Policy Amendment - Reduced Fare for Express/RAPID and Recent Program Changes (Ordinance S-53137) - Citywide
Description
Request the City Council to amend the City’s Public Transit Fare Policy and Uniform Fare Structure (Fare Policy) to include reduced fares for Express/RAPID bus service and to update the policy to reflect recent program changes resulting from the regional Fare Collection System Modernization project and the launch of a federally funded microtransit pilot program. The amendment will not result in any fare increases but instead will reflect the streamlining of regional fares the City is undertaking in partnership with Valley Metro. (Attachment A - Proposed Fare Policy)
Report
Summary
The Public Transit Department is piloting a three-year grant-funded congestion relief program which introduces microtransit service in parts of the city and expands RAPID service to include bi-directional trips throughout the day along two RAPID corridors (I-17 and I-10 West). Per Federal Transit Administration requirements, these new services require amendments to the region's Fare Policy as the introduction of off-peak RAPID service makes it eligible for reduced fares.
Additionally, changes from the recent Fare Collection System Modernization project has resulted in changes to the regional fare policies. These include the introduction of 'Smart Fare'. Riders using a Valley Metro reloadable smart card or the Valley Metro mobile app benefit from the use of Smart Fare, which allows riders to pay as they ride rather than paying in advance for the full cost of a daily, weekly, or monthly pass. Riders tap or scan their fare every time they ride but are only charged until they reach the daily/weekly/monthly maximum fare; there is no charge for rides thereafter. These changes have also resulted in the elimination of the underutilized 15-day pass from the regional Fare Policy.
During the Fare Collection System Modernization project, the administration of fare programs transitioned from the Public Transit Department to Valley Metro. Information and fares for those programs are now included in the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority Public Transit Fare Policy and Uniform Fare Structure and are therefore being removed from the City of Phoenix Fare Policy.
The policy now also includes a provision for up to four days per year when fares will not be required, intended to help promote ridership and support regionally significant events, initiatives, or celebrations. These specific days will vary annually and will be determined collaboratively by the City and Valley Metro.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Cynthia Aguilar and the Public Transit Department.