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TO: |
Local Advisory Council |
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THROUGH: |
Jay Fox, Executive Director |
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FROM: |
Nichol Bourdeaux, Chief Planning and Engagement Officer |
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PRESENTER(S): |
Alex Beim, Acting Manager of Long Range Strategic Planning |
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Julie Bjornstad, Senior Transportation Planner, WFRC |
TITLE:
title
Zero Fare Transit Study Overview
end
AGENDA ITEM TYPE:
Discussion
RECOMMENDATION:
None, Discussion Only
BACKGROUND:
In response to Free Fare February, a Regional Zero-Fare Joint Project Committee (JPC) has been commissioned to study and evaluate zero-fare transit alternatives on UTA services. The JPC is being led by the Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC), in partnership with Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG), UTA, and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT).
The JPC partners are working with a consultant team led by Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates to meet four primary goals:
• Evaluate the operational, financial, and community impacts of zero-fare transit
• Gauge transit values of stakeholders from across the service area
• Provide guidance around replacement funding
• Objectively inform decision making processes around the future of zero-fare transit
DISCUSSION:
WFRC staff will deliver a presentation which provides an overview of the Regional Zero Fare Transit Study to include:
Current Zero Fare Transit Study Overview and Status:
• Existing conditions analysis
• State of the practice review
• Stakeholder engagement
Next steps:
• Identify opportunities and challenges for zero-fare transit
• Develop zero-fare alternatives (e.g., systemwide zero-fare, zero-fare on select services, zero-fare for select riders)
• Estimated costs and benefits of alternatives across operational, financial, and community impact metrics
• Produce final deliverables
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
Joint Project Committee Financial Contribution
• Mountainland Association of Governments: $10,000
• Utah Department of Transportation: $30,000
• Utah Transit Authority: $50,000 (included in 2022 JPC budget)
• Wasatch Front Regional Council: $30,000
ATTACHMENTS:
None