Title
"Zero Fare for Better Air" Program Report
Presenter:
Lan Rao, Acting Transit Services Manager
Erin McCauley, Transit Compliance & Safety Supervisor
Body
Summary:
Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT) participated in the State of Colorado's Ozone Season Transit Grant Program, otherwise known as the "Zero Fare for Better Air" initiative during August 2022. The program was designed to reduce ground level ozone, increase ridership, and reduce vehicle miles traveled in the state by increasing the use of public transit. Both fixed-route and ADA complementary paratransit services were fare free during the month.
Ridership in August 2022 increased by 39% over July 2022 on the fixed-route service and 35% on Metro Mobility, its ADA complementary paratransit service. However, ridership decreased 30% on the fixed-route service and 6% on Metro Mobility from August to September.
Background:
The State of Colorado's "Zero Fare for Better Air" initiative was made possible through funding provided by Colorado Senate Bill 22-180. The bill created the Ozone Season Transit Grant Program, administered by the Colorado Energy Office. The program provides grants for free transit services during the peak ozone season, defined in the bill as the period between June 1 and August 31 of each year.
By participating, MMT aimed to thank its existing riders with a month of free transit, to welcome back customers who may have scaled back their transit usage over the past few years, and to attract first-time transit users.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
MMT will be reimbursed for both the farebox revenue lost and the operating expenses during the month of August. Together, that totals $534,674. The net effect to the MMT budget is zero.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
The Citizens Transportation Advisory Board (CTAB) was informed of MMT's participation in the program on August 2, 2022.
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