Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 20, 2022
Subject
SUBJECT: FARELESS SYSTEM INITIATIVE AND LOW-INCOME FARE IS EASY
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE status updates on Fareless System Initiative (FSI) and Low-Income Fare Is Easy (LIFE) Programs.
Issue
ISSUE
The Fareless System Initiative is a phased approach that gives our most vulnerable riders access to fareless transit. Phase 1 is a two-year pilot program that allows students in participating K-12 Districts, charter networks, private schools, and community colleges to ride Metro and 13 additional transit agencies without paying fares. The Low Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) Program provides free and reduced-fares to low-income riders. The LIFE Program is a bridge to Phase 2 of FSI, which is a future extension of fareless services to low-income adults once funding has been identified. This report provides a status update on the FSI and LIFE Programs.
Background
BACKGROUND
On May 27, 2021, the Board passed Motion 45 (Garcetti, Mitchell, Krekorian, Hahn, Bonin, and Solis) (Attachment A) on implementation strategies for the Fareless Systems Initiative (FSI). The motion directed the Chief Executive Officer to implement the Fareless System Initiative, subject to a final funding plan and while pursuing cost-sharing agreements and reporting to the Board monthly on the development, launch, and performance of FSI.
On September 23, 2021, the Board approved a staff recommendation (File #2021-0574) to launch Phase 1 of the Fareless System Initiative for K-14 students on October 1, 2021, with the understanding that future Board approval would be required to launch Phase 2 for low-income adults once available funding had been identified. In addition, the Board adopted Motion 40 (Attachment B), which directed staff to revamp the LIFE program and implement a series of promotional activities and improvements to the LIFE program.
Phase 1 of FSI and th...
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