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Home My WebLink AboutWS 1 - ICATS - Zero Fare presentationtem: WS STAFF PRESENTATION TO FOLLOW: 1 r I Ai;�ui1 h CITY OF lOVVA CITY 41 ❑ East Washington Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240- 1826 (319) 356-5000 (3I9) 356-5009 FAX www.icgov.org i� IOWA CITY AREA5 DY NSIT-U�lg y o4t t DO No ENiEP 01►010KW11WTAIII0110IN&M14W.ZarYA[GmIZ-2010I0[•1KZ-W: P-k1'A Fn rc%- iji im nmr-i —me Tonight's Agenda qService Summary Operational Challenges ® Recent Transit Service Improvements O�Transit Service Enhancements (ICATS Vision Items) - Zero Fare - Sunday service - Late Night On -Demand Service 0 Transit Funding 1 Recommendations / Next Steps Our Mission Make transit more dependable for those that rely on it, and an easier choice for others. �l r E4�.1&IG bUS IT3'JdBEEI g �Zf♦FVIABIF IIIFUY i� ' R=„ Wp TY 10 Reliable Affordable Accessible Safe Sustainable Equitable Service Summary 13 Routes - 6 days a week ®� Same routes, no matter the time of day or day of week Service from 6:00 am - 10:45 pm O17 hours of service weekdays, 12 hours on Saturday $1 Fare / Reduced fare 31-day pass 0 0 Free for those 65+ / disabled. Half price for youth. Free for Medicare / SEATS riders. Downtown Shuttle free. ftParatransit Operations � Contract service through Johnson County SEATS. $2/ride for qualified riders `yri. p:•k tlafo Ity of e rkdale o Brown Deer Golf Club 9v n yille P[h sr 51h s Un,yir.sy of Iowa Outdoor Research au �^r/Sr I Unwersn, of Iowa - Iowa aw Campus Finkbine Golf Count' Osage St SW Osage St SW Waterworks Prairie Park yTery rmeblood Remutien Nee �N sY.. Gray Osage St SE `21e County of Johns aD EuLXEP4 Garmi% SafeGraPtl GeoTechnologse,Inc, METI/NMA USGS, EPA -� NIPS. USDA Iowa City Transit Routes 1 South Iowa City —eCourt Street —e Eastside Loop (Peak Trip Only) —0 Downtown Shuttle —0 Lower Muscatine/Kirkwood 6 Peninsula —e North Dodge Oakcrest --e Towncrest West Iowa City - 11 Rochester Highway 1 South Gilbert Transit Service Staffing - 63 Employee 2 Transit Admin Director and Associate Director 3.5 Supervisors Transit Supervisors + (2) Parking Operations Supervisors that flex their time as needed Mass Transit Operators 47 Operators 22 - FT 25 - % Time Mechanics Maintenance Workers • 0.5 Management Program Analyst Assistant Iowa City Transit Ridership FY20 - FY22 2,500,000 1,500,000 1,256,474 1,000,000 1,984,441 1,902,350 Alk ��. 500,000 Forecasting 1,103,300 riders FY23 26% below pre -pandemic levels COVID-19 Pandemic ,486,351 1,156,346 ,416 \4 1,103,300 1,383 O� OP O3 O0 01 Oe c, NO NN N� `� .�b N�3 No N�, N� �q y0 � �L �"� ,�O ,v0 ,�O ,�O ,�O ,�O ,�O ,�O ,v0 ,�O ,�O ,�O ,�O ,�O ,�O ,�O ,�O ,�O ,�O ,�O ,�O Fiscal Year Iowa City area ranks 21St in nation in ridership per capita URBANIZED AREA POPULATION 2019 UNLINKED RIDERSHIP 12010 CENSUS) PASSENGER TRIPS PER CAPITA (THOUSANDS) Neal Vofk-NeWafk. NY -NJ -CT 10.351.295 4.209.2979 229.4 San FranclsC -Oeklane. CA 3.281.212 4D5.960.7 124.0 AmaA to 60.438 6.121.0 101.3 Wasning1m. DC -VA -MD 4.506.770 419.224.3 91.4 BO IM. MA NN-RI 4.181.019 376.391.0 90.0 Cnarnpsgn. IL I45.361 11.637.3 00.1 Urban HoroUIU, 19 802.459 63.372.8 79.0 State Co�ege. PA 87.454 6.602.6 75.5 Seattle. WA 3.059.393 211,909.2 71.2 CnkagO. IL IN 8.609.206 553.155.6 e4.3 Pn11a0elpflla. PA -NJ -DE -MD 5,441.567 341,451.4 03.0 Inwa. NV 53.661 3,334.7 62.1 Portland. OR %VA 1.849.096 110.112.6 59.5 San Marc .1% 52. 626 3,047.1 51.7 A1Ian110 City. NJ 248.402 14.225.3 57.3 Alhana Clarke Cowty. GA 128.754 1.212.2 56.6 Black". VA 88.542 4,975.5 58.2 BOUOR, CO 114.591 6,213.9 54.2 DrvN, CA 72.194 3,904.1 53.0 ConccM. CA a15.9" 32.679.5 53.4 105.621 5,513A 51.1 Ga11kNVIM, FL 187.781 9,025A 46.1 R WrON �� FY22 Ridership by Month 91,229 77,934 86,813 84,853 80,1 14 78,250 Total Ridership 68,664 63,486 64,195 55, 720 55, 740 44,385 851,383 April - 91,229 high July - 44,385 low ei mop ACC P eCC 0 FY19 & FY22 Ridership by Day of Week 293,422 Mon 291,081 293,626 162,300 M I ■ E III Tue Wed 288,242 Thu Fri Overall ridership down 43% 153,689 Saturday ridership down 22% 63,536 ' 49,650 Saturday ridership made up 6% of trips in FY22 Sat 13 - South Gilbert 3 - Eastside Loop 6 - Peninsula 7 - North Dodge 11 - Rochester 12 - Highway 1 2 - Court Street 4 - Downtown... 9 - Towncrest 1 - South Iowa City 5 - Lower Muscatine 10 - West Iowa City 8 - Oakcrest FY22 Ridership by Route 0 20000 40000 SOOPW 80000 Operational Challenges Staffing Having adequate staff to cover unplanned absences and plan and execute service level improvements. Hiring pools have been diminished, and need for time -off has increased. Safety Managing passenger conflicts, especially at the farebox, and increasingly disruptive or aggressive behavior from the public. Verbal assaults are common. Physical assaults less common but have occurred. On -time performance issues On a few routes during peak -times, in certain areas of town. Condition of buses & facilities Increasingly difficult to maintain operations due to the age and condition of transit facility, older buses, the Downtown Interchange and Annex. Bus stops do not have adequate facilities or maintenance. Electric buses still learning! 41 Transit Service Improvement Timeline Iowa City Area Transit Study Kicks Off August 2019 ICATS Plan Approved Fare Policy Aligned with Coralville New transit routes, bus and staff schedule launched Service Level Consider Commenced Adjustments: Zero electric bus Launched Fare or other operations May 15t" Enhancements Improve Bu, Stops June July August January May FY24 2021 2021 2021 2022 2023 Completed phases Next Phases 2021/2022 ICATS Service Enhancements RE -IMAGINE YOUR RIDE For faster, more frequent, more affordable, and more reliable service Redesigned routes, Improved evening and Aligned fare & Jrenamed & weekend service / fare policies numbered same routes as with Coralville weekday service JAll buses run every Launched (4) Zero fare for 65+ 30 minutes or better J battery electric buses into J and those with during peak times service in 2022 disabilities JOver half of routes Transfers allowed Youth 50% discount now have 30-minute J at any stop J service mid -day May 151" 2023 Service Enhancements RE -IMAGINE YOUR RIDE For faster, more frequent, more affordable, and more reliable service J7 - North / 20-minute / Earlier trips Employee Dodge Route 1/ service on on 8 routes Quality of 2 - Court St Life Benefits • Pearson and ACT no g - Towncrest • 1 - South Iowa City longer directly • 2 - Court Street served • 5 - Lower Muscatine/K • Serving Scott • Improves frequency • 6 - Peninsula Boulevard from • Resolves persistent on- . 7 - North Dodge Dodge to time performance issues . 9 - Towncrest roundabout • 40 minute service • 11 - Rochester • Providing service to evenings/Saturdays • 13 - South Gilbert east Northgate Park via Highlander • Increase number of shifts with two consecutive days off • Part-time drivers have more schedule predictability • Reduced "split shifts" to only 2 • Increased trip length on 2-Court St&9- Towncrest Electric Buses: First Year • 60,318 miles on a -buses • 88% carbon emission savings per bus Saved 32 metric tons of CO2 • Diesel bus: 98 cents/mile to fuel • Electric: 23 cents/mile • $82,000 in fuel expense savings FY22 • Still getting to know the buses, learning how to troubleshoot (reliant on manufacturer), and still awaiting final charger installation • Bus downtime for warranty repairs Next Steps: Considering Transit Service Enhancements RE -IMAGINE YOUR RIDE Zero- Fare Transit Pilot Sunday Service Pilot Zero -Fare Pilot Zero -Fare /� Just hop aboard! No fee or pass required Fare is "Prepaid" iv !� In FY22, fare only covered `V 13% of the cost of each ride Strategic Plan FY23-24 wr��x-�� Zero -Fare Remove significant 7 No additional staff or barrier to transit use buses required 2 Increase ridership 8 Relatively quick implementation 3 Improve on -time performance s Potentially forgo $900k in farebox expenses 4 Reduced fare collection expenses 10 Climate action & livability 5 Address equity goals » Will benefit every person, on every ride 6 Reduce conflicts at farebox Zero -Fare Loss of fare revenue $871,902 in FY22 Federal funding impacts .. Increase in "freeriding" or people riding just to ride Increased demand could require more service, staff, and/or capital needs w Increased paratransit demand 14. ! I i. � "mot 7 MUM uODUE Llh- PP I I 1r. I'm Electric' PAP HILLS BAN W.g , 0 1 . Sunday Service Fixed Route Transit & ®� Complementary Paratransit /arI- /piI "Saturday Schedule" J Sunday service would run on the same schedule as Saturdays OHourly Service Most routes run hourly with 40- minute service on the 5 - Lower Muscatine / Kirkwood, 2 - Court Street, and 9 - Towncrest Sunday Service Benefits Predictable 7-day-a- 5 Fixed route & paratransit week service 2 Improved access to weekend employment opportunities 3 Improved weekend access to shopping, recreation, festivals, ect 4 Highly requested in transit study Sunday Service Challenges Requires additional staff (10) Additional % time drivers (1) Operations Supervisor (1) Mechanic II (2) Maintenance worker II 2 Staffing challenges - Candidate pools diminished - Less applicants with CDLs - Lengthy on -boarding process due to new federal regulations 3 Expenses to increase by $1,300,000 annually 6 Paratransit demand - FY22 cost $68/trip - 25,800 trips FY22 5 Expect Sunday ridership not to exceed 2-4% of weekly ridership (half of Saturday ridership) Late Night On -Demand Late -Night On -Demand Transportation 2. ) Runs when Transit is not in service OTo Shared vehicle/vanpool o— 0 Scheduled by phone or app Strategic Plan FY25 - FY28 6 3 0 Evening / Late -Night On -Demand Service Benefits Provides a safe, late -night transportation option for employees Equitable access to opportunity Reliability Supports economic development and equity objectives MVONpnn[ 775M1348 PO m Evening / Late -Night On -Demand Service Challenges Cost significantly more per -ride than transit 2 Who will manage contract/operate 3 Regional service would best serve those that work and live in different communities 4 Cost -sharing agreement 5 Preliminary estimate of $650,000 annually at $35 ride Transit Funding K\J f . . 111 ie I - Fare Revenue 8/ VID Relief Other Revenue 7% — 23% ECO iaFederal Operating Grant Local Match 16% 46% Fare Revenue M • $871,902 in FY22; estimated $985,000 in FY23 • Fixed route and paratransit • 8% of total revenue P/P 04 FY22 Each transit trip cost $7.64 - $1 fare covers 13% of transit expenses Each paratransit trip cost $68 - $2 fare f�All covers 9 Federal 5307 Operating Funding f;) Federal Transit Administration • Urbanized area receives allocation based on: - Urbanized area population Population density "Small Transit Intensive Communities" • Funds distributed locally by MPOJC formula: Total operating costs Locally determined income Revenue miles Fare revenue Federal e Federal 5307 Operating Funding f;) Federal Transit Administration • Without any changes to MPOJC formula, IC would lose $600k annually moving to Zero -Fare • Iowa City to propose formula update to keep funding allocations in metro area stable IN Federal 5307 f;) OperaO eratin ting Federal Transit Funding Administration • Iowa City proposal: ■ Iowa City - 61.33% ■ CAMBUS - 22.84% ■ Coralville - 15.83% • Proposal must be vetted by area agencies and MPOJC Policy Board • Idea is to carry current funding proportions forward for another two years during a Zero -Fare pilot Section 5307 Operating Apportionment Multiplier (FY21 - FY23 using FY19 Data) FY CVT ICT CAMBUS 2013 0.1677 0.5847 0.2476 2014 0.1577 0.5895 0.2528 2015 0.1691 0.5892 0.2417 2016 0.1603 0.6159 0.2238 2017 0.1627 0.6126 0.2247 2018 0.1638 0.5997 0.2385 2019 0.1570 0.6118 0.2312 2020 0.1583 0.6133 0.2284 2021 0.1583 0.6133 0.2284 2022 0.1583 0.6133 1 0.2284 2023 0.1583 0.6133 0.2284 Federal 5307 Operating Funding Federal Operating Funding Projection - If Funding Reauthorized in FY27 • $3,500,000 $3,000,000 $2,500,000 $2,000,000 Former Federal Legislation $1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 Next Federal Bipartisan Legislation FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 Est'd Est'd Est'd Est'd Est'd Est'd FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27 FY28 FY29 f;) Federal Transit Administration - Federal 5307 Operating Funding f;) Federal Operating Funding Projection - If Funding Returns to Federal Transit p g g J g Administration pre-FY22 Levels in FY27 $3,500,000 $3,000,000 $2,500,000 $2,000,000 $1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Former Federal Legislation Potential • Next Federal Drop Off Legislation FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 Est'd Est'd Est'd Est'd Est'd Est'd FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27 FY28 FY29 Status Quo Operations No drop off in federal funding Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27 FY28 Total Revenue 7,821,059 8,099,528 8,775,238 8,614,192 11,085,250 11,857,600 10,940,000 10,285,000 10,758,000 11,254,650 11,776,133 12,113,593 Total Expenses 7,591,428 10,833,805 9,505,766 8,242,852 11,283,081 11,857,600 10,940,000 10,285,000 10,758,000 11,254,650 11,776,133 12,323,690 Net Income (Loss) 229.631 (2.734.277) (730.528) 371.340 (197.831) - - - - - - (210.097 Drop off in federal funding Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated Estim FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27 FY28 Total Revenue 7,821,059 8,099,528 8,775,238 8,614,192 11,085,250 11,857,600 10,940,000 10,285,000 10,758,000 11,254,650 11,699,444 9,491,191 Total Expenses 7,591,428 10,833,805 9,505,766 8,242,852 11,283,081 11,857,600 10,940,000 10,285,000 10,758,000 11,254,650 11,776,133 12,323,690 Net Income (Loss) 229,631 (2,734,277) (730,528) 371,340 (197,831) - - - - - (76,689) (2,832,499 • With no change in transit operations, we are still forecasting a shortfall to begin in FY28 or FY29 Zero -Fare No drop off in federal funding Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated mated Estimated Estimated FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 FY28 FY29 Total Revenue 7,821,059 8,099,528 8,775,238 8,614,192 11,085,250 11,857,600 10,084,000 10,284,450 10,757,423 10,305,642 9,569,032 9,751,829 Total Expenses 7,591,428 10,833,805 9,505,766 8,242,852 11,283,081 11,857,600 10,084,000 10,284,450 10,757,423 11,254,044 11,775,496 12,323,021 Net Income (Loss) 229.631 (2.734.2771 (730.5281 371.340 (197.831) - - - - (948.4021 (2.206.4641 (2.571.1921 Drop off in federal funding Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated Estimated 5timated FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 FY26 FY27 FY28 FY29 Total Revenue 7,821,059 8,099,528 8,775,238 8,614,192 11,085,250 11,857,600 10,084,000 10,284,450 10,757,423 10,305,642 8,255,579 8,366,191 Total Expenses 7,591,428 10,833,805 9,505,766 8,242,852 11,283,081 11,857,600 10,084,000 10,284,450 10,757,423 11,254,044 11,775,496 12,323,021 Net Income (Loss) 229,631 (2,734,277) (730,528) 371,340 (197,831) - - - - (948,402) (3,519,917) (3,956,830) • Four years of forecasted funding available for zero -fare • Begin budget shortfall in FY27 Staff Recommendation • Prioritize a two-year Zero -Fare pilot • Zero -Fare will immediately benefit every single single day • Expect ridership to increase between 20 - 60% • Removes barrier to transit use • Addresses climate, equity, and economic objectives • Improve passenger (and driver) experience • Can implement relatively quickly • Potential to forgo $900k in cost of replacing fareboxes • Less conflicts at the farebox Staff Recommendation • Sunday Service would be challenging to staff, difficult to pilot, and general expect a low ridership increase • Late -night on -demand service has high cost/ride, relatively low expected ridership • Timing is ideal to consider Zero -Fare pilot: • COVID relief funding • Ridership losses due to pandemic • No additional staff or buses required • Recommend annual check -in with Council • Review ridership and financial forecast • Determine whether to resume collecting fares and initiating farebox procurement • Discuss funding strategies to address future shortfalls Potential Funding Sources Funding Source Operating Expenses Capital Expenses Increased Parking Fees X Property Taxes X X Utility Tax X Sales Tax X X Community Partnerships X X Zero -Fare Launch Sequence PE�`Iq Fo'—,"oq Iowa City Study of Zero- Develop MPOJC UAPB Area Transit Fare identified Zero -Fare City Council funding Summer or 1 - Year 2- Year Study Kicks as Strategic financial Work Session formula Fall launch of Council Council Off Plan Objective forecast discussion discussion Zero -Fare Check -In Check -In August Dec Spring May July Summer/Fall Summer Summer 2019 2022 2023 2023 2023 2023 2024 2025 Completed phases Next Steps Thank you! Questions? Comments? Let's talk Transit! Darian Nagle -Lamm Director of Transportation Services dnaglegamm(@iowa-city.orq 319.356.5156 STAFF PRESENTATION CONCLUDED � r rrM as � h CITY OF IOWA CITY 410 East Washington Strect Iowa City, Iowa 52240- 1 826 (319) 356-5000 (319) 356-5009 FAX www. icgov. o rg