Title
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. A total of 66,755 UF employees have ridden, and the combined total City/County employee ridership was 6,846 passengers through December 20, 2000. There have been a total of 73,601 passengers participating in the program between January 24, 2000 and December 20, 2000.
Use of public transportation continues to increase by City, County, and University of Florida employees. This program is available to 900 City, 1,000 County, and 13,000 UF employees. City and County employee ridership has increased 55% since the first month of implementation and is expected to increase from 6,846 passengers in year 2000 to 15,000 passengers in 2001. UF employee ridership has increased 70% since the first month of implementation and is expected to increase from 66,755 passengers in 2000 to 150,000 passengers in 2001.
Since this unlimited access program has not had the same level of success as the student program, but has acceptable levels of ridership and still has the potential to be a success, University of Florida officials have requested that the program be continued at the same rate of $4.50 for another year. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has agreed to continue with 50% matching funds for this program and with the same rate of $4.50 per employee for the second year of this program. The previous proposal was to increase the rate to $8.70 per employee for the second year.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $2,025 will be provided from General Government and Gainesville Regional Uti...
Click here for full text