Meeting_Body
REVISED
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
JANUARY 18, 2024
Subject
SUBJECT: METRO MICROTRANSIT FARE CHANGE
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to:
A. IMPLEMENT the approved base fare of $2.50 for Metro's MicroTransit program, Metro Micro;
B. INTEGRATE transfers with bus and rail services into the MicroTransit service; and
C. INCORPORATE the Low Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) program and other Metro discount programs into the Metro Micro fare structure.
Issue
ISSUE
The pilot MicroTransit service began in late 2020 with a $1.00 introductory fare, which was intended to be a short-term promotion for the new service. However, since it launched during the height of the pandemic, the introductory promotional fare has been in place for more than three years. Now that the pandemic has ended, it is time to implement the previously approved regular base fare of $2.50.
Per the October 2020 Metro Board Motion #23 by Director Bonin (Attachment A), this action satisfies the requirement for staff to return to the Board prior to ending the Metro Micro introductory fare.
Background
BACKGROUND
At its October 2020 meeting, the Board approved the Pilot MicroTransit program with a $2.50 permanent base fare and a promotional introductory fare of $1.00. Metro Micro was launched in December 2020 as a three-year pilot program to test use cases for on demand MicroTransit services. At its May 2021 meeting, the Board authorized the extension of the introductory fare through the end of 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (Attachment B). The introductory fare was scheduled to end by January 2023, and per Motion 23 by Director Bonin (Attachment A) staff was to return to the Board prior to ending the $1.00 promotional fare.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The cost per trip on Metro Micro is currently $43. At its September 2023 meeting, the Board approved extending the...
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