To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Transportation and Public Works
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz 707-565-2231
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Participation in Regional Means-Based Transit Fare Program
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a resolution 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).
end
Executive Summary:
This resolution provides approval by the Board for the County of Sonoma/Sonoma County Transit to participate 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 would 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 first regional means-based transit fare program in the Bay Area. Launched by MTC in July 2020, the pilot program offers a discount on single-ride transit fares for eligible adults who earn under 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Transit operators currently participating in the initial launch include BART, Caltrain, Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transit District, and the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency.
In response to COVID-19, interest by MTC’s Blue Ribbon Transit Recovery Task Force and requests by transit operators, MTC has expanded the Clipper START Pilot Program to other interested operators in the region. In coordination with other transit operators in the region, Sonoma County Transit would like to participate in the Clipper Start Pilot Program. The program would be implemented via Clipper, the smart card used for electronic transit fare payments on all transit systems in the Bay Area.
As a participant in the Clipper START Pilot Program, Sonoma County Transit will offer a 20% per trip discount off its regular adult fare. After providing proof of identity and proof of income, eligible adults would receive a personalized Clipper card that can be used for single-ride discounts on all participating transit systems. Because fare collection is currently suspended on Sonoma County Transit due to COVID-19, it’s anticipated that the earliest effective date for the Clipper START Pilot Program on Sonoma County Transit would be January 2021.
MTC is providing federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to participating transit operators to help subsidize Clipper START fare discounts offered during the pilot period through December 2021. Sonoma County Transit’s share of CARES Act funding for the pilot program is $64,817. Funding for the Clipper START Program beyond the pilot period has not been identified. MTC will conduct an evaluation of the program during the pilot period to solicit feedback and determine if the program should be continued.
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
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Expenditures |
FY 20-21 Adopted |
FY21-22 Projected |
FY 22-23 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$32,408 |
$32,409 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$32,408 |
$32,409 |
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
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State/Federal |
$32,408 |
$32,409 |
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Fees/Other |
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Use of Fund Balance |
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Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$32,408 |
$32,409 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
This program will be funded with federal CARES Act funding provided through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Funding for this program is anticipated in December 2021, and will be included in the FY 21-22 recommended budget.
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None