Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
MARCH 17, 2022
Subject
SUBJECT: ENCOURAGING THE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSIT
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE Chief Executive Officer to make Metro bus, rail, and bike share services free on Transit Equity Day (February 4th), Earth Day (April 22nd), National Bike to Work Day (celebrated with LA County every 3rd Thursday of May) and California Clean Air Day (October 6th) on an annual basis, permanently.
Issue
ISSUE
Transit Equity Day, Earth Day, Bike to Work Day, and California Clean Air Day are annual events celebrated to demonstrate support for environmental protection. These annual events support actions taken by the Agency toward clean air, reducing Green House Gas emissions, combatting climate change, and promoting the use of public transportation. Staff recommends offering free rides on bus, rail, and bike share services on Transit Equity Day, Earth Day, Bike to Work Day and California Clean Air Day on an annual basis to demonstrate support for environmental protection and enncouragingthe use of public transportation.
Background
BACKGROUND
In 2018 and 2019, Metro's Board of Directors directed staff to provide free bus, rail, and bike share services on Earth Day as a way of advocating and promoting a healthy, sustainable environment. In March 2020, a request to approve the permanent designation of Earth Day as a fare free day was scheduled, but the meeting was cancelled due to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although COVID-19 restrictions were in place in 2020 and 2021, Metro continued to celebrate Earth Day, Bike to Work Day and California Clean Air Day through various virtual events and promotions. Below shows the ridership and TAP usage from 2018 to 2021.
Earth Day
Bike to Work Day
California Clean Air Day
Transit Equity Day
(April 22nd)
(Every 3rd Thursday of May)
(October 6th)
(February 4th)
Srvc. Year
Avg. Bus & Rail Ridership
Day of t...
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