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 (UF) 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 141,617 UF employees have ridden, and the combined total City/County employee ridership was 22,013 passengers through October 31, 2001. There have been a total of 13,630 passengers participating in the Employee Pass Program between January 24, 2000 and October 31, 2001.
Use of public transportation continues to increase by City, County and UF employees. This program is available to 900 City, 1,000 County, and 13,000 UF employees. City and County employee ridership has increased from 6,846 passengers in year 2000 to 14,965 passengers until October 31, 2001 (an estimate of 17,000 for year 2001 - 148% increase). UF employee ridership has increased from 66,755 passengers in 2000 to 73,776 passengers until October 30, 2001 (an estimate of 88,000 for year 2001 - 31.8% increase).
Since this unlimited access program has not had the same level of success as the student program, but also has acceptable levels of 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 and third year of this program. 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 ($1,552.50) and Gainesville Regional Utilities ($472.50) to cover 50 % o...
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