Metro - File #: 2022-0187

• File #: 2022-0187
• Type: Informational Report
• Status: Filed
• File created: 3/23/2022
• In control: Executive Management Committee
• On agenda: 5/19/2022
• Final action: 5/19/2022
• Title: RECEIVE AND FILE status updates on Fareless System Initiative (FSI) and Low-Income Fare Is Easy (LIFE) Programs.
• Sponsors: Executive Management Committee
• Indexes: Accessibility, Barriers (Roads), Budget, Budgeting, City of Los Angeles, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Culver City, Downtown Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, Farebox, Fareless System Initiative, Funding plan, Gardena, GoPass, Grant Aid, Housing, Informational Report, Los Angeles Unified School District, Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE), Motion / Motion Response, Operating revenues, Outreach, Partnerships, Pilot studies, Plan, Program, Promotion, Public service, Research, Research management, Ridership, Santa Monica, Social benefits, State laws, Strategic planning, Students, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Transit Pass, Westside Cities subregion, Westside/Central Service Sector

Date	Action By	Action	Result
5/19/2022	Executive Management Committee

Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
MAY 19, 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 Board has requested ongoing updates on the status of the Fareless System Initiative (FSI), and Low-Income Fare Is Easy (LIFE) Programs.

Background
BACKGROUND

On May 27, 2021, the Board passed Motion 45 (Garcetti, Mitchell, Krekorian, Hahn, Bonin, and Solis) 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 report 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 the LIFE Program improvements are stepping stones to Phase 2 and beyond and are helping bring fare relief to low-income riders and youth who are some of Metro's most vulnerable riders. The LIFE program goal is to increase mobility and the quality of life for the participants. As staff continues to seek funding for FSI Phase 2, significant enhancements have been made to the LIFE program, and strategic efforts have been implemented to double enrollment in the program in accordance with Motion 40 to ensure accessibility to the progra...