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CC - Approval of Free Fare Days for Culver CityBus in Association with (1) Bike to Work Day 2016 (May 20, 2016) and (2) National Dump the Pump Day 2016 (June 16, 2016).
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Contact Person/Dept: Art Ida/Transportation Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-6545
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: Yes [] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Commission Name:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (03/24/16)
Department Approval: Art Ida, Director of Transportation (02/03/16)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) approve a free fare day for passengers boarding Culver CityBus with a bike or bike helmet on the Los Angeles area Bike to Work Day (May 20, 2016), and (2) approve a free fare day for all passengers boarding Culver CityBus on National Dump the Pump Day (June 16, 2016).
BACKGROUND
Culver CityBus provides public transit services to over 6 million passengers per year and interfaces with other transit agencies while providing these services throughout the western area of Los Angeles.
May is National Bike Month and Monday, May 16 through Sunday, May 22, 2016 is the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike to Work Week. Bike to Work Day on May 20th is just one element of Bike Week L.A., an annual week of community events sponsored by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to promote bicycling as a sustainable and practical transportation mode. Transit agencies nationwide participate by offering free fares to those riders who board the bus, train, and light rail systems with bicycles and/or with a bike helmet to encourage this alternative mode of transportation.
The first National Dump the Pump Day was organized in June 2006 after gas reached $2 a gallon - a price considered astonishingly high at the time. Public transit systems and other organizations across the country continue to participate in National Dump the Pump Day to encourage the public to try out public transit - if only for a day - to help reduce commute expenses, protect air quality and reduce congestion. This year, Thursday, June 16, 2016 is designated as National Dump the Pump Day. Staff is proposing to participate by offering free rides to all passengers who board Culver CityBus that day.
DISCUSSION
Culver CityBus partners with other transit agencies in the region be participating in a free fare structure on Bike to Work Day, including Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus, Torrance Transit, Norwalk Transit, the City of Commerce, Beach Cities Transit, Long Beach Transit and Metro.
By acknowledging Bike to Work Day through free fares to riders who are also using their bikes to commute and travel throughout the area and by recognizing National Dump the Pump Day through free fares for all riders, Culver City is encouraging people to utilize public transit. When people try transit during days when incentives are provided, there is a greater likelihood that they will become long-term transit users. With these efforts, Culver City continues to do its share for clean air and reduce traffic congestion in our region.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Revenue impacts on Bike to Work Day are projected to equal approximately $700. Revenue impacts on Dump the Pump Day are projected to equal approximately $14,500. No General Fund dollars are impacted by these reduced fares.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Approve a free fare day for riders with a bicycle and/or bike helmet on Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 20, 2016; and,
2. Approve a free fare day for all riders on National Dump the Pump Day, Thursday, June 16, 2016.