Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
JUNE 18, 2020
Subject
SUBJECT: REPORT ON FREE STUDENT FARES FEASIBILITY STUDY
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to:
1. APPROVE working with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) and other districts to implement the K-12 U-Pass Program for Homeless Student Support Services
2. APPROVE working with Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Graduate Student Association (GSA) and other schools and districts to implement the transportation fees approved through the student referendums under the existing U-Pass program
3. APPROVE working with LA County schools and districts to conduct student surveys and other collect other data needed to implement additional student pass programs
...Issue
ISSUE
In January 2020, the Metro Board approved a motion directing the CEO to return to the Board in June 2020 with a report detailing various aspects of existing state and regional K-12 and college fare programs to help assess the feasibility of providing free transit passes to students in Los Angeles County. The motion stated that Metro's "existing student pass program has multiple barriers to entry and a high administrative burden that could be avoided through a universal program" and that "access to transportation is the single greatest factor in the odds of escaping poverty and avoiding homelessness." The Board requested a variety of information in the report, including performance reviews of similar existing programs, cost estimates for administration and operations, farebox impacts, needs assessment of schools and communities in the county, analysis of effects on ridership and operations, outreach to other transit agencies in the county, and recommended actions to reduce barriers to ridership.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Although the COVID-19 pandemi...
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