Title:
Title
Agreement with the Sacramento Regional Transit District for Fare Free Transit for Youth (I02181400)
End
FileID
File ID: 2019-01265
Location
Location: Citywide
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Pass a Motion authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to execute an agreement with the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) to reimburse SacRT the fixed sum of $1,000,000 for implementation of the Annual Student Transitional Kindergarten to 12th Grade Pass program.
Contact: Fedolia “Sparky” Harris, Principal Planner (916) 808-2996; David Edrosolan, Interim City Traffic Engineer, (916) 808-5974, Department of Public Works
Body
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1- Description/Analysis
2-Student Ridership Initiative Group Pass Agreement
3-August 12 Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors Agenda Item #5
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: In the fall of 2019, SacRT will offer an Annual Student Transitional Kindergarten to 12th Grade (TK-12) Pass as a Prepaid Fare type to all TK-12 students residing in or attending school within the city limits of Sacramento. City Council approved $1 million in the 2019/20 Approved Budget to provide Fare Free Transit for Youth. The action requested is required to document the financial commitment of the City to the program.
Policy Considerations: Funding for the Fare Free Transit for Youth Program is consistent with the goals and policies of the Sacramento 2035 General Plan and will help the City to create and maintain a safe, comprehensive, and integrated transit system as an essential component of a multimodal transportation system as provided in Goal M3.1. Free transit for students who live or attend school in the City of Sacramento will allow the City to support SacRT to plan and implement reduced fare programs and/or universal “fare free” transit pass programs for certain high density/intensity areas (e.g., Central Business District) of the City, and to expand access to such programs among major employees and institutions, to facilitate increased transit ridership as provided in Policy M3.1.16 of the Sacramento 2035 General Plan.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations:
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): Entering into an agreement is not subject to the provisions of CEQA. Under CEQA general rule 15061-B-3, CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. This action will have no effect on the environment and, therefore, is not subject to CEQA.
Sustainability: Providing funding to support for prepaid annual student passes is consistent with both the 2035 Sacramento General Plan and the City’s Climate Action Plan by increasing access to transit for the youth of Sacramento.
Commission/Committee Action: None
Rationale for Recommendation: SacRT and the City of Sacramento have been working together on an initiative to provide free public transportation to all TK-12 students residing in or attending school within the city limits of Sacramento. This program will give approximately 100,000 students the opportunity to ride transit for free and is expected to increase ridership by over 1,100,000 boardings annually. Funding provided by this agreement will be used to offset the revenue lost by SacRT for providing rides to these students. This recommendation is made pursuant to Sacramento City Code section 3.60.090, which requires City Council authorization to execute all contracts for public projects involving the expenditure of $100,000 or more.
Financial Considerations: Sufficient funds are available in the Fare Free Transit for Youth Project (I02181400) (Measure U Fund, Fund 2401) to execute the agreement with SacRT in the amount of $1,000,000 for implementation of the Annual Student TK-12 Pass program.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable