Title
Continuation of Employee Bus Pass Program for Downtown City, County and UF Employees (B)
Explanation
The Employee Bus Pass Program was created to alleviate traffic and parking problems, particularly at the University of Florida and Downtown. The program has been in effect since January 24, 2000, with University of Florida employees being the first to begin riding. Downtown City employees began riding on April 3, 2000, and Alachua County employees on July 24, 2000. Some 487,307 UF employees have ridden, and the combined total for City/County employee ridership was over 65,586 passengers through December 31, 2004.
Use of public transportation continues to increase by City, County and University of Florida employees. This program is available to 900 City (includes 420 GRU employees), 1,000 County, and 13,000 UF employees. Employee ridership for the City and County averaged over 1,054 passengers monthly during 2004. UF employee ridership averaged 9,866 passengers during 2004.
Fiscal Note
At the current rate of $4.50 per rider, funding in the total amount of $67,050 will be necessary for the continuation of this program with the following contributions by each participating agency: University of Florida will provide $58,500; the City will provide $4,050 of which Gainesville Regional Utilities will fund $1,890; and the County will provide $4,500.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) approve the annual contract for continuation of the Employee Bus Pass Program for Downtown City Employees through January 2006; and 2) authorize the Interim City Manager or designee to execute interlocal agreements with University of Florida and Alachua County for a continuation of the Employee Bus Pass Program.