Title
Revision to the Regional Transit System (RTS) Employee Bus Pass Program (B)
This item is a request for the City Commission to approve the continuation of the Employee Bus Pass Program as a routine RTS program, authorize the City Manager or designee to execute service agreements with local agencies for the Employee Bus Pass Program, and authorize approval authority to the City Manager or designee for future minor program modifications
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 UF employees being the first to participate. Currently over 30,000 employees from several agencies participate in the program including UF, Santa Fe College (SF), the City of Gainesville, Alachua County, UF Health, North Florida and South Georgia Veterans Health System (VA), and others.
RTS desires to continue the Employee Bus Pass Program. RTS reviewed usage rates between FY14 and FY16 and proposes establishing a variable cost program during the next period of contract renewals starting in 2017. This will help ensure the program goal of capturing $0.75 per trip is more likely achieved. New participants can be offered a set base rate that is then adjusted based on usage rates at their next contract renewal period. This ensures that RTS captures its minimum target amount, while customizing the employers’ costs for participating to align with actual use of the program.
Fiscal Note
The 2016 program brought in revenue in the amount of $233,715. RTS projects that based on the program adjustment, revenues could increase by as much as $47,000 for the 2017 program.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) approve the continuation of the Employee Bus Pass Program as a routine RTS program, 2) authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute service agreements with local agencies for the Employee Bus Pass...
Click here for full text