Okaloosa County BOCC — November 16, 2013 — reading text

All BACKGROUND: During the initial review of the public transportation budget, the Board requested additional information regarding potential fare increases to the fixed route (WAVE) system. The attached spreadsheet illustrates the potential impact of two fare increase scenarios in regard to both revenue and ridership. It is important to note that the fare increase scenarios are based on a reduction in routes necessitated by funding availability, specifically that routes 11 and 12 (Crestview) and 33 (Destin) would be eliminated. The Okaloosa County Public Transit Fare and Route Modification Policy requires the County hold a public hearing to hear comments on proposed rate or route changes prior to adoption. The Department of Growth Management and Okaloosa County Transit staff has met to discuss increasing fares for the WAVE fixed route service. In comparison to nearby and peer transit systems (attached), the proposed fare increase for Okaloosa County falls below that of these other systems. Okaloosa County’s last fare increase occurred January 1, 2009. To bring Okaloosa County closer in line with nearby and peer systems, it is recommended that the fares be revised as shown in the 2014 Fare Increase Estimates"; the staff recommended rates are shown in the red boxed-columns. Due to increased operating costs and decreased funds, it is proposed that Routes 11 and 12 in Crestview and Route 33 in Destin (Crystal Beach) be eliminated. These routes have been selected for elimination due to the lack of appropriate funding levels and the lower ridership numbers these three routes generate in comparison to all other WAVE routes that operate within the system. Notice of the public hearing and proposed changes was accomplished through an announcement in the Northwest Florida Daily News, www.rideoct.org website, posting of proposed fares and route changes in the fixed-route transit vehicles and at bus stops. Following public comments, if the Board of County Commissioners approves the fare increase and route eliminations, the changes will be implemented no earlier than 60 (sixty) days following the date of approval, in this case, changes will occur on November 3, 2013. Notices of the revised fare and route eliminations and the implementation date will be placed in all public transit vehicles, published in the North West Florida Daily News and posted on Okaloosa County Transit’s www.rideoct.org website. RECOMMENDATION: The Department of Growth Management recommends that the Board Packet Pg. 9 conduct a public hearing to receive public input regarding the proposed revisions to the fare structure of the fixed-route (WAVE) service and elimination of routes 11 and 12 in Crestview and 33 in Destin (Crystal Beach). Staff recommends that the Board approve revised fares for the fixed route WAVE service and authorize elimination of Routes 11 and 12 in Crestview and Route 33 in Destin (Crystal Beach). If it is determined that routes and fares will change, the changes will be implemented on November 3, 2013. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: Ernie Padgett, County Administrator Packet Pg. 10  Fare Comparison Florida Transit Systems* LOCAL SYSTEMS: ECAT (Pensacola) Regular Fare $ 1.75 Senior (+65)/Disabled $ 0.85 Transfer Free 31-Day Pass Reg. $ 47.00 31-Day Pass Senior/Dis $ 35.00 Bay Town Trolley (Panama City Beach) Regular Fare $ 1.50 Senior (+65)/Disabled $ 0.75 Transfer Not Available 31-Day Pass Reg. $ 30.00 31-Day Pass Senior/Dis $ 30.00 FLORIDA PEER SYSTEMS: SunTran (Ocala) Regular Fare $ 1.50 Senior (+65)/Disabled $ 0.75 Transfer Not Available Monthly Pass $ 45.00 Monthly Pass Senior/Dis $ 23.00 Treasure Coast Connector (Port St.Lucie) Regular Fare $ 2.00 Senior (+65)/Disabled $ 1.00 Transfer Not Available 31-Day Pass Reg. $ 50.00 31-Day Pass Senior/Dis $ 25.00 *Fares reported as of August 27, 2013 Packet Pg. 11 FY14 FARE INCREASE ESTIMATES Ridership Based on Actual Ridership October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 For Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 14, 20, 30, 32. Routes 11,12 and 33 are not included in the Ridership count due to projected route reductions in FY14 PER USE FARES WAVE ROUTES FWB: 1, 2, 3, 4 ISLAND: 20 DESTIN: 30, 32 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 CURRENT FARES FARE OPTIONS Ridership $1.00 A B Regular Fare 51,336 $51,336 $1.25 $1.50 10% ridership decline 46,202 $57,753 $69,304 15% ridership decline 43,636 $54,545 $65,453 20% ridership decline 41,069 $51,336 $61,603 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 CURRENT FARES FARE OPTIONS Ridership $0.25 A B Reduced Fare 16,757 $4,189 $0.50 $0.75 10% ridership decline 15,081 $7,541 $11,311 15% ridership decline 14,243 $7,122 $10,683 20% ridership decline 13,406 $6,703 $10,054 WAVE EXPRESS ROUTE 14 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 CURRENT FARES FARE OPTIONS Ridership $1.50 A B Regular Fare-EXPRESS 6,761 $10,142 $1.75 $2.00 10% ridership decline 6,085 $10,649 $12,170 15% ridership decline 5,747 $10,057 $11,494 20% ridership decline 5,409 $9,465 $10,818 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 CURRENT FARES FARE OPTIONS Ridership $0.75 A B Reduced Fare-EXPRESS 1,796 $449 $1.00 $1.25 10% ridership decline 1,616 $1,616 $2,021 15% ridership decline 1,527 $1,527 $1,908 20% ridership decline 1,437 $1,437 $1,796 TRANSFERS October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 CURRENT FARES FARE OPTIONS Ridership $0.25 A B C Transfers 14,852 $3,713 $0.00 $0.25 $0.50 10% ridership decline 13,367 $0 $3,342 $6,683 15% ridership decline 12,624 $0 $3,156 $6,312 20% ridership decline 11,882 $0 $2,970 $5,941 Packet Pg. 12  31-DAY PASS WAVE ROUTES FWB: 1, 2, 3, 4 ISLAND: 20 DESTIN: 30, 32 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 CURRENT FARES FARE OPTIONS Passes Sold 31-Day Pass Cost $26.00 A B Regular WAVE Pass 588 $15,288 $30.00 $35.00 10% ridership decline 529 $15,876 $18,522 15% ridership decline 500 $14,994 $17,493 20% ridership decline 470 $14,112 $16,464 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 CURRENT FARES FARE OPTIONS Passes Sold 31-Day Pass Cost $7.50 A B Reduced WAVE Pass 2,237 $16,778 $15.00 $17.50 10% ridership decline 2,013 $30,200 $35,233 15% ridership decline 1,901 $28,522 $33,275 20% ridership decline 1,790 $26,844 $31,318 EXPRESS ROUTE 14 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 CURRENT FARES FARE OPTIONS Passes Sold 31-Day Pass Cost $40.00 A B Regular EXPRESS Pass 62 $2,480 $45.00 $50.00 10% ridership decline 56 $2,511 $2,790 15% ridership decline 53 $2,372 $2,635 20% ridership decline 50 $2,232 $2,480 October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012 CURRENT FARES FARE OPTIONS Passes Sold 31-Day Pass Cost $20.00 A B Reduced EXPRESS Pass 60 $1,200 $22.50 $25.00 10% ridership decline 54 $1,215 $1,350 15% ridership decline 51 $1,148 $1,275 20% ridership decline 48 $1,080 $1,200 The Simpson-Curtis rule identifies through a series of studies performed over the past thirty years that for every 10 percent increase in fares, there is a 3.3 percent decline in ridership. Increase in fare will TOTALS Ridership (Transfers