#10 Introduce Ordinance to Increase Bus Fares (File Ord. #2009-443)
JANESVILLE TRANSIT SYSTEM MEMORANDUM
October 30, 2009
TO: City Council
FROM: Transit Director
SUBJECT: Introduce and Schedule a Public Hearing on a proposed Ordinance
Increasing Bus Fares on the Janesville Transit System (File Ordinance
2009-443).
Executive Summary:
As part of the 2010 budget for the Transit System, the Administration proposes to enact
a general fare increase on all transit system routes and services for the coming year.
This fare increase is estimated to raise $25,619 in additional revenue, reducing the
need for assistance from the City’s General Fund for Transit operations, and the tax
levy, by a like amount.
The proposed fare increase would go into effect on January 1, 2010, and would raise
the basic cash fare on JTS routes inside the City from the present $1.25 to $1.50.
Federally-required half-fares for persons with disabilities and those over 65 years of age
would increase from $.60 to $.75 per ride, as would the fares for the special token
programs sponsored by the City for youth and agencies serving disadvantaged citizens.
Fares for the various passes and token packs offered by the Transit System, as well as
those charged for the Paratransit service required by the Americans with Disabilities Act
and the “Beloit-Janesville Express” would all rise proportionally.
Chapter 10.76 of the Code of General Ordinances establishes bus fares, thus requiring
Council action for changes. Ordinance 2009-443 has been prepared for Council
consideration to enact this necessary fare increase, effective on January 1, 2010. The
public hearing for the Ordinance will also fulfill the requirements of Section 5307 of the
Federal Transit Act, which requires a public hearing on all fare increases.
Recommendation:
The Transit System recommends that the City Council schedule a public hearing on
Ordinance 2009 – 443, increasing the fares on the Janesville Transit System effective
as of January 1, 2010, for Monday, November 23, 2009.
City Manager Recommendation:
Based on the proposed budget and anticipated approved budget, the City Manager
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recommends that the City Council set a public hearing on November 23 to increase
the rates accordingly.
Background:
The City Council originally included a transit fare increase, effective on July 1, 2009, as
part of the 2009 Transit System budget. On March 9, 2009, the Council directed the
Administration to delay the proposed fare increase scheduled for July 1, 2009
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indefinitely; with any increase to be reconsidered as part of the review of the proposed
2010 Transit System budget. In addition, on May, 11, 2009, the Council passed
Ordinance 2009-433, which established a reduced-fare token program for private non-
profit agencies, effective on June 1, 2009. Since its inception, three private non-profit
agencies, the House of Mercy, ECHO, and the Salvation Army have joined that
program, with a total of 1,500 reduced fare tokens purchased and in circulation.
Analysis:
As directed by the Council, the Administration reviewed the proposed 2009 fare
increase as part of its preparation of the proposed 2010 Transit System budget. Based
on that review, if the current fare rates are maintained, the projected share of Transit
System expenses covered by fares in 2010 is estimated to be 11.8%. This would
represent a decrease of 2% compared to the original 13.8% of expenses covered by
fares estimated for the 2009 budget, and 1% lower than the 12.75% average rate of
return from fares as a proportion of expenses over the past 5 years. In order to ensure
that the rate of return from passenger fares maintains the 5 year average, the fare
increase is necessary. This fare increase is estimated to raise $25,619 in additional
revenue, covering about 12.7% of 2010 expenses and reducing the need for assistance
from the City’s General Fund for Transit operations, and the tax levy, by a like amount.
For the Council’s information, an increase in the base fare to $1.50 would put Janesville
in the middle of the range of bus fares charged by our peer group with 4 other cities;
Eau Claire, Green Bay, Manitowoc and Racine. Fares in the peer group range from a
low of $1.00 in Oshkosh to a high of $2.00 in Waukesha.
In accordance with established practice, the Transit System will allow a one month
“grace period”, between January 2 and January 31, 2010 for those citizens who may
have purchased tokens and passes at the 2009 rates to use up those fares without
having to pay an additional charge. Experience has shown that this allows sufficient
time for the transition to the new fares to happen without undue hardship on either the
citizens or the Transit System. As of February 1, 2010, only passes and tokens
purchased in 2010 will be accepted.
The Transit Director will be present at the Council meeting to answer any questions on
this proposal that the Council may have.
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager
Jay Winzenz, Director of Administration
Jennifer Petruzzello, Director of Neighborhood Services
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ORDINANCE NO. 2009-443
An ordinance revising the regular bus fare rates for the Janesville Transit System, with a
penalty for violations as set forth in JGO 10.76.030.
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JANESVILLE DO ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. Section 10.76.020 of the Code of General Ordinances of the City of
Janesville is hereby amended to read as follows:
10.76.020 Bus fares—Regular fare rates.
“ The regular fare rates that shall be
charged by the Janesville transit system are as follows:
A. $0.75 per ride or 10 rides for $7.50 when the 10 rides are purchased as a package of
10 prepaid tokens for senior citizens, defined as persons who are 65 years of age or
older, Federal Medicare Card holders, and persons with disabilities when such
individuals follow the procedures required by the Transit Director. When such
procedures have not been followed, the charge shall be $1.50 per ride per passenger.
B. No charge for a child under five years old when accompanied by a fare-paying
passenger to a maximum of 2 children per fare-paying passenger. Organized groups
of children under 5 years old must pay the regular fare.
C. $1.50 per ride, or 10 rides for $12.00when the rides are purchased as a package of
10 pre-paid tokens for all other passengers.
D. No charge for any transfer from one Transit System bus to another.
E. $0.40 per passenger for travel in any fare zone beyond the basic service area. The
basic service area is considered to be that area within the corporate limits of the city.
F. $3.50 for a pass allowing an unlimited number of rides on any bus route between the
hours of 8:45 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. on any service day within the basic service area.
Except that persons who qualify for reduced fares as outlined in subsection A of this
section, are entitled to purchase the pass for one half the regular price. (Ord. 84-405
§1, 1984: Ord. 83-344 §1m 1983; Ord. 81-272 §1, 1981: Ord. 80-218 §1 (part),
1981).
G. $45.00 per month for a pass allowing unlimited bus rides on and between the dates
shown on the pass on any Transit System route within the basic service area.
H. $3.00 per ride or 10 rides for $27.00 when the 10 rides are purchased as a pass for
travel on the Beloit-Janesville Express route to the terminal of the Beloit Transit
System in Beloit, Wisconsin, but not including transfer privileges to Beloit Transit
System city routes; except that persons who qualify for reduced fares as outlined in
subsection A of this section are entitled to ride for one half of the regular price.
ORDINANCE 2009-443
Page 2
I. $1.90 per ride or 10 rides for $17.00 when the 10 rides are purchased as a pass for
travel on the Beloit-Janesville Express route to Blackhawk Technical College.
J. $3.00 per ride for Paratransit service for those disabled individuals qualifying for
this service under the provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and
the procedures required by the Transit Director. This fare shall also apply to any
person traveling as a companion, as defined by the ADA, with the disabled
passenger. Personal Care Attendants as defined by the ADA, and certified as
required to accompany the disabled person in question, will not be charged a fare as
required by the ADA.
K. $0.75 per ride for youth beginning with age 11, through and including age 15, using
a special token issued by the City and distributed through participating community
organizations. Youth of this age group not using tokens specified by this section
shall pay the regular fare shown in Paragraph C of this section.”
L. $.75 per ride based on a bulk purchase charge of $75.00 for 100 tokens, when
tokens are purchased by a private non-profit agency for distribution to its clients;
and the agency follows certain certification procedures established by the Transit
Director as a condition of eligibility to purchase said tokens at a discount. When
these procedures are not followed, the charge for token purchases shall be as
outlined in Sub C, above.
SECTION II. The above fare rates shall take effect on January 1, 2010, and shall remain
in effect until modified as provided in Section 10.76.010.
ADOPTED:
Motion by:
Second by:
APPROVED:
Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
Brunner
McDonald
Eric J. Levitt, City Manager
Perrotto
Rashkin
ATTEST:
Steeber
Truman
Voskuil
Jean Ann Wulf, City Clerk-Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney, Wald Klimczyk
Proposed by: David J. Mumma, Transit Director
Prepared by: David J. Mumma, Transit Director
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