Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, October 01, 2019
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER ENTERING INTO DISCUSSIONS WITH LYFT, INC. FOR ON-DEMAND RIDESHARE SERVICES (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
The recommendation stated in this report is from the City Council Transportation Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of Mayor Robles and Councilman Dear, and supported by staff.
The City of Carson currently offers fixed-route bus services, the Carson Circuit, and on-demand Dial-A-Ride (DAR) taxi services as transportation options for traveling within the City and to select satellite locations. Although fixed-route bus services are open to the general public, the DAR program is restricted to residents of Carson who are 60 years of age or older, or disabled residents who are 18 years of age or older. This circumstance presents an opportunity for the City to provide alternative, on-demand rideshare services for residents and visitors using modern smartphone-based technology. Lyft, Inc. is experienced with developing flexible programs and partnerships with local municipalities to provide subsidized rides to participants.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
AUTHORIZE staff to enter into discussions with Lyft, Inc. to provide on-demand rideshare services to the City of Carson.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
Currently, Carson's only on-demand, "curb-to-curb" service is its Dial-A-Ride program, which provides participants with subsidized taxi rides within the City and to select medical or social service facilities (Exhibit No. 1). As Dial-A-Ride is only available to residents 60 years of age or older, or disabled residents 18 years of age or older, not all potential users can be served with this mode of transportation. This circumstance presents an opportunity for Carson to provide a pilot program utilizing the services of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Lyft. Utilizing a smartphone-based...
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