File #: 2023-0095   
Type: Motion / Motion Response Status: Passed
File created: 2/8/2023 In control: Executive Management Committee
On agenda: 4/20/2023 Final action: 4/27/2023
Title: CONSIDER: A. RECEIVING AND FILING report on funding feasibility strategies to facilitate the Fareless System Initiative (FSI); and B. APPROVING an extension of the Pilot GoPass Program (FSI Phase1) through FY24.
Sponsors: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
Indexes: Access Services Inc., Access-To-Jobs, Barriers (Roads), Board approved a Motion, Budgeting, Fareless System Initiative, Funding plan, GoPass, Hilda Solis, Holly J. Mitchell, Job opportunities, Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE), Motion / Motion Response, Pilot studies, Program, Quality of life, Ridership, SEED School of Los Angeles, Students, Surveys, Transit Pass
Attachments: 1. Attachment A - Board Motion 45, 2. Attachment B - Board Motion 40, 3. Attachment C - FSI Schools Within EFCs, 4. Attachment D - GoPass Pilot Cost Summary, 5. Attachment E- Gopass Survey Findings, 6. Attachment F - LIFE Survey Findings, 7. Attachment G - Key Funding Findings and Recommendations, 8. Attachment H - Potential Funding Sources, 9. Presentation
Related files: 2021-0627, 2021-0372
Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
APRIL 20, 2023

Subject
SUBJECT: FARELESS SYSTEM INITIATIVE (FSI)

Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS

Heading
RECOMMENDATION

Title
CONSIDER:

A. RECEIVING AND FILING report on funding feasibility strategies to facilitate the Fareless System Initiative (FSI); and

B. APPROVING an extension of the Pilot GoPass Program (FSI Phase1) through FY24.

Issue
ISSUE

Metro has actively pursued the implementation of a Fareless pilot in LA County since 2020. Recognizing the benefits of a Fareless program while also considering the financial constraints, the Board approved phase 1 of the FSI pilot (GoPass) program in September 2021, to provide K-14 students free transit, and enhancements to the LIFE program. The report provides a recommendation to extend the GoPass pilot program for another fiscal year as staff continues to identify and pursue funding for the program.

Background
BACKGROUND

In August 2020, Metro initiated a study of free fare service as a recovery strategy for the COVID-19 pandemic. The study confirmed that Metro riders are overwhelmingly low-income people of color for whom transit fares are an economic burden. The pandemic exacerbated inequalities pushing many further into poverty, resulting in low-income residents making difficult decisions about what necessities they can afford, such as food, housing, transportation, or healthcare. The key objective of the pilot FSI program is to alleviate some of the financial pressure by removing the transit cost and enabling greater economic stability for those who need it the most.
A fareless system can provide several benefits to Metro and LA County.

* Increased ridership: Cost is often a barrier for many low-income LA County residents; the frequency of usage and new riders will increase. The increased ridership can help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution throughout the County.

* Improved access to essential services: Metro is a lifeline for ...

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