HomeMy WebLinkAboutF- 4 Staff Report Fixed Route ServiceAGENDA ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PETE MACKAY, TRANSPORTATION MANAGER
VIA: RICK COLE, CITY MANAGER
DATE: JUNE 9, 2003
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO DISCONTINUE THE FIXED ROUTE SERVICE
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the discontinuation of the fixed route
service in the City of Azusa, effective July 1, 2003 and increase the monthly budget for
Foothill Transit bus pass subsidies from $4,000 to $5,000.
BACKGROUND
The fixed route serve was started in December of 1985. The route currently covers an eleven-
mile loop, circulating the City every fifty minutes in a clockwise direction. Weekday service
hours are from 7 A.M. to 5 P.M. Saturday service is from 8:50 A.M. to 5 P.M. There are a total
of thirty designated bus stops, thirteen of which are shared with Foothill Transit.
A recent study done by CalTrans indicates that the life cycle of a typical transit bus is about
ten years or 150,000 miles. The vehicles used for this operation are two 1989 Bluebird diesel-
powered transit buses, each with over 260,000 miles on the odometers. Due to the age and
mileage of these units, they are beginning to smoke heavily and repair expenses are steadily
increasing. Each is overdue for an extensive and costly overhaul that would cost
approximately $40,000 per unit. This figure is based on refurbishing the vehicle to 1989
design specifications for older, outdated diesel equipment. It would not bring them up to
the new Federal Clean Air standards imposed by the South Coast Air Quality District and the
California Air Resources Board. Replacement costs for new transit buses with an alternative
fuel format is approximately $260,000 each.
On May 12, 2003, a report was submitted to the City Council, requesting authorization to
discontinue the fixed route service since current Transportation funds received through our
Proposition A & C local funding sources are no longer able to sustain these growing
operational costs. Council members requested the Transportation Division conduct a survey
of our fixed route passengers to determine the effect discontinuing this service would have
on them. During the week of May 3l through June 6, two to three bilingual staff members
distributed surveys to all passengers who boarded the bus, answering questions and
assisting with the completion to assure that all surveys were collected and accounted for.
The survey content was shaped through research of other transit surveys used by both
Foothill Transit, MTA and input provided by Administration staff. The goals of the survey
were as follows:
Determine who were our passengers (age bracket, rider group – student, senior,
etc.)
How often do they use our service
For what purpose do they use our service
What other transportation options are available to them
What fare would they be willing to pay
The survey results are shown on the attached graphs.
FISCAL IMPACT
The current budget for the Fixed Route Operation is approximately $260,00 annually. With
rider ship declining on this service and demand increasing for our Dial-A-Ride and Bus Pass
Subsidy Program, these funds would be better spent to provide these services. Currently our
Bus Pass Program subsidizes $4000 a month in passes. Staff recommends that this be
increased to $5000 per month to take care of the new demand for passes generated by the
cessation of our fixed route.