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POLICY PROPOSAL
DATE FILE NUMBER SUBJECT Elderly and Handicapped PAGE OF._,,.
11/8/76 CP-17 Reduced CITRAN Fares
PROPOSAL PROPOSED BY: Councilman CITY MANAGER'S REVIEW
Woodie W. Woods
Background
On March 4, 1974, the CITRAN fare for senior citizens (persons 65 years of age and
older) was reduced from the regular adult fare of 35C to 15F during the mid-day
period on weekdays only. On May 1, 1975, the 15F reduced fare was offered to handi-
capped persons regardless of age, and the hours were extended to include all times
. of CITRAN operation except peak periods on weekdays. More than 9,000 citizens have
obtained the special CITRAN lifetime senior citizen or handicapped identification
card which permits riding for the reduced fare at the specified times.
Currently, approximately 850 passenger trips are made by senior citizens and handi-
capped persons for the 15F fare on an average weekday. An on board passenger survey
conducted in April, 1975, indicated that approximately 13.4 percent of all weekday
riders are elderly or handicapped. Applied to current ridership this percentage
means that approximately 2,160 passenger trips are made by elderly and handicapped
persons during all hours' on an average weekday.
• Current Federal regulations require that elderly and handicapped persons be allowed
to ride for a fare of not more than one-half the regular adult base fare at all times
except during peak periods.
Current Proposal
Based on the above figures, approximately 1,310 weekday passenger trips on CITRAN
are made by elderly and handicapped persons during peak hours. During these hours,
they must pay the full adult fare of 35C (or use tokens or a monthly pass). It
seems evident that these persons have transportation needs which cannot be met dur-
ing the off-peak periods. This may be particularly true of handicapped persons who
attend daily rehabilitation training and must travel to and from their school or
workshop during the rush hours.. My proposal would permit senior citizens and handi-
capped persons with proper identification to ride for the special reduced fare during
all hours of CITRAN service. It is recognized that such a change would have a
fiscal impact on the CITRAN operating budget which has not been provided for in this
budget year. It .is believed that this cost might be offset by fare adjustments, and
the Fort Worth Public Transportation Advisory Committee previously announced its
intent to review the entire CITRAN fare structure.
LEGALITY
FISCAL NOTE
CRY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
POLICY PROPOSAL (cont'd) PAaE_oF____
Recommendation
I recommend that the hours during which senior .citizens and handicapped persons
may ride for a reduced fare be expanded to include all hours of CITRAN operation,
and that the Public Transportation Advisory Committee be requested by Council to
study the effect of such a change on long-term ridership and equipment needs and
to recommend alternatives to offset such costs, including possible fare adjustments.
Legality
No comment required.
Fiscal Note
Expansion of senior citizen and handicapped hours as recommended would have a
direct impact on CITRAN revenue and an indirect impact on operating cost because
of a possible shift in service demands. At present ridership levels, the revenue
loss would be approximately $65,000 to $67,000 annually. The impact on service
demands is more difficult to calculate. An advantage of the present system is that
it encourages ridership during the off-peak hours. The proposed change could
encourage some reduced fare riders to shift back to riding during the peak periods,
creating a demand for shorter headways and additional buses on the more heavily
used lines. While the result of this impact is impossible to predict in advance,
the addition of one peak hour bus on one route would create an additional operating
expense of approximately $30,000 per year. Therefore, the total financial impact
of the proposal could easily exceed $100,000 per year.
Ctty Tanager Fs Comments
The value of offering reduced transportation fares fot persons on low and fixed
incomes is recognized. City Council has questioned the current CITRAN fare structure
be reviewed, especially for daily commuters, and the Public Transportation Advisory
Committee has expressed a desire to review current fares. It is the recommendation
of the City staff that this proposal be considered in conjunction with a study of
the total CITRAN fare structure.
Wood a W. Woods, Councilman
CRY OF FORT WORTH