To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Continued Participation in Regional Means-Based Transit Fare Program
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution approving the County of Sonoma/Sonoma County Transit to continue participating in the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Regional Means-Based Transit Fare Program (Clipper START Pilot Program).
end
Executive Summary:
This resolution provides approval by the Board for the County of Sonoma/Sonoma County Transit to accept program terms and continue participating in the Regional Means-Based Transit Fare Program established by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). The Regional Means-Based Transit Fare Program, branded as Clipper START, is a pilot program that seeks to improve affordability for adult transit passengers who earn a lower income. MTC will provide funding from the Regional Means-Based Transit Fare Program to subsidize adult fare discounts offered during the Clipper START pilot program.
Discussion:
The Clipper START program is the regional means-based transit fare program in the Bay Area. Launched by MTC in July 2020, the initial pilot program included only four transit agencies in the Bay Area offering a discount on single-ride transit fares for eligible adults earning under 200 percent of the federal poverty level. The pilot program was soon expanded to include all transit agencies in the Bay Area and Sonoma County Transit began offering a 20% discount on single-ride transit fares for eligible adults beginning in November 2020.
After a review of the initial Clipper START pilot program, MTC has decided to extend the pilot program through June 2025. In coordination with other transit operators in the region, Sonoma County Transit would like to continue to participate in the extended Clipper START pilot program. During the extended pilot program for Clipper START, Sonoma County Transit will offer a 50% discount on single ride transit fares for eligible adults beginning on January 1, 2024. The eligibility requirements are residency in one of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties, between the ages of 19 and 64, do not already have a Regional Transit Connection Clipper Card for people with disabilities, and a household income of 200% or less of the federal poverty level.
The program will be implemented via Clipper, the electronic transit fare payment system on all transit systems in the Bay Area. After providing proof of identity and proof of income, eligible adults will receive a personalized Clipper card that can be used for single-ride discounts on all transit systems in the Bay Area.
MTC will be providing funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, State Transit Assistance, and the State Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program to participating transit operators to help subsidize the Clipper START fare discounts offered. Sonoma County Transit will use Transportation Development Act funding for any discounts that are not reimbursed by MTC. MTC will conduct additional evaluations of the pilot program to solicit feedback and determine if it should be continued beyond June 2025.
Adoption of the Resolution will also include acceptance of all Clipper START program terms and conditions, including project delivery and obligation deadlines and federal nondiscrimination and language access requirements. Transit staff has reviewed all program terms and conditions and recommends them for approval and implementation.
Strategic Plan:
NA
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
11/10/20: Resolution adopted by the Board approving the County of Sonoma/Sonoma County Transit participation in the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Regional Means-Based Transit Fare Program (Clipper START Pilot Program). Resolution No. 20-0419
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$32,408 |
$32,408 |
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
|
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$32,408 |
$32,408 |
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$32,408 |
$32,408 |
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$32,408 |
$32,408 |
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
The continuation of the Clipper START pilot program will be subsidized with federal CARES Act funding, State Transit Assistance, and State Low Carbon Transit Operations Program funding provided through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. There are sufficient appropriations included in the Fiscal year 2023-24 budget for the revenues and the related expenditures. Fiscal Year 2024-25 will be requested during the budget process.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
Resolution
Attachment A- PowerPoint Presentation
Attachment B - Metropolitan Transportation Commission Resolution 4320
Attachment C - Clipper START Pilot Key Findings
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.