Report to Mayor and City Council
Monday, August 07, 2017
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH METRO FOR THE EZ TRANSIT PASS PROGRAM (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
The City of Carson has participated in Metro’s EZ Transit Pass Program since 2006. This program allows patrons to transfer among transit systems - the Carson Circuit to Metro, for example - thus permitting seamless travel and increased mobility throughout the greater Los Angeles area. In order to continue to be in a member of this endeavor, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be signed by participating agencies. Tonight, the City Council is asked to approve the latest MOU from Metro (Exhibit No. 1)
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
APPROVE Metro’s Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Carson permitting the City’s continuing participation in the EZ Transit Pass Program.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
Los Angeles County is serviced by multiple municipal transit operators, Metrolink, and numerous smaller city agencies. Throughout this entire system, a variety of different fares and pass options are offered. However, with so many different payment requirements, traveling across multiple transit operators has proven confusing and inconvenient. As well, this multiplicity of fare instruments discourages potential riders from using public transit. A Regional Pass that permits passengers to transfer from among different operators without having to worry about transfer payments and fare differentials was believed to be the solution to this challenge. In 2002, the concept was established, and later became what is now called Metro’s EZ Transit Pass program.
The City has participated in this program since 2006. Among the many transit agencies that accept the EZ Transit Pass are the Carson Circuit, Metro, Long Beach Transit and Torrance Transit. The current monthly cost of the pass for Carson residents is $110.00 or $42.00 for seniors 62+, the disabled or those on Medicare. Additional charges apply for riding on the Metro Silver Line, Metro express buses, and non-Metro express buses (Exhibit No. 2).
The City is reimbursed for its participation in the program; for Fiscal Year 2016/17, the City will receive $8,449.97. Due to a change in the reimbursement calculation, this latest MOU requires City Council approval. Until another rule change occurs, City Council approval will not be needed.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
The City is reimbursed every fiscal year for its participation in the EZ Transit Pass program. For Fiscal Year 2016/17, the City will be receiving $8,449.97.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. EZ Transit Pass Program MOU. (pgs. 3-37)
2. EZ Transit Pass Fare and Agency Participation Information. (pgs. 38-40)
Prepared by: Luchie S. Magante, Sr. Administrative Analyst