OUTBoard agenda 081915 - Laserfiche WebLink

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administration and managementrequirements of each grantprogram, including the administration of a specific publiccomment process for executinga proposed fare increase. Because the proposed fare structure results in a fare increase to passengers 60 years ofage or older, OPT is subject to this public comment process. Underthe most restrictive program, recipients must: 1)Issue a public notice at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the fare increase; 2)Provide the opportunity for the public to make comments on a proposed fare increase at a public hearing conducted at least 30 days prior to the required 30-day public notice of fare increase execution; and 3)Consider all public comments before making a final decision regarding the fare increase. The published public hearing notice is provided as Attachment 1. The Transportation Services Board’s decision on the proposed fare structure and associated fare increase to persons 60 years of age or older will be forwarded to the BOCC for a second public hearing and consideration of adoption. As part of its Section 5307 program management and administration requirements, the FTA also requires recipients’ fare structures to address fares charged to seniors and persons with disabilities during nonpeak hours in a specific way. Fares charged to seniors, individuals with disabilities, or individuals presenting a Medicare card may be charged no more than 50 percent of the peak period fare. Because the proposed peak period general public fare is $2, both the peak and nonpeak fares for these individuals is proposed to be $1. FINANCIAL IMPACT:The financial solvency of the bus service expansion program approved/adopted by both the OUTBoard and the BOCC in 2014 assumed the collection of fares in accordance with the proposed fare structure with some additional very conservative assumptions related to ridership. These assumptions were ultimately used to estimate the total amount anticipated to be collected in fares per year. Although not likely to have a major impact in one direction or the other, any changes to the fare structure will change the amount of expected farebox recovery built into the financial assumptions of the plan/program such that the financial solvency of the program/plan will need to be revisited. RECOMMENDATION(S): Staff recommends the OUTBoard and any additional County staff representatives: 1)Open the public hearing; 2)Receive any comments from the public; 3)Close the public hearing; and 4)Forward and recommend for adoption the proposed Orange Public Transportation fixed-route fare structure and any modifications to the BOCC. 13