AGENDA ITEM #17
TOWN OF FAIRFAX
STAFF REPORT
April 6, 2022
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Heather Abrams, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Approve concept of $5,000 Increase to Town’s Annual Contribution to the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JEPA) for Yellow School Bus Services to White Hill School
RECOMMENDATION
Approve concept of increase to Fairfax’s financial contribution from $30,500 annually to $35,500 for the coming fiscal year to be paid to the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JEPA) for the Yellow School Bus Program.
BACKGROUND
Beginning in the School Year of 2016/2017, the Town of Fairfax has provided annual funding to help support the Yellow Bus Program for White Hill Middle School students. This program is designed to relieve congestion along the Sir Francis Drake corridor. Fairfax students use the service, but the majority of the demand is from students living outside of Fairfax who might be driven through Fairfax in individual cars if they did not use the bus.
DISCUSSION
The Yellow Bus Program is operated by Marin Transit, who contracts with Michael’s Transportation to provide the bus service. Marin Transit provides bus pass sales, route development and management, and financial management.
The program has been funded in part by large annual contributions from Measure AA and the County of Marin, along with smaller contributions by the Towns of Fairfax and San Anselmo. Approximately 30% of the needed revenue comes from the public agencies contributions. The remaining approximately 70% of the funding comes from student bus pass sales.
During its budget meeting on March 21, 2022, JEPA discussed the impact of fuel price increases and reduced ridership during the pandemic. To address potential budget shortfalls while keeping yellow bus pass costs relatively low, the idea of raising JEPA members’ contributions was proposed.
For Fairfax, the amount of increase would be $5,000. The Town of San Anselmo has volunteered to increase its contribution by $5,000.
2 Councilmember Goddard, the Town’s representative on the JEPA, attended the JEPA budget meeting and commented on the importance of this program in relieving several hundred car trips that would otherwise travel through Fairfax.
FISCAL IMPACT
The additional $5,000 would be approved by the Council as part of the FY22-23 budget process.
ATTACHMENT
Budget presentation from JEPA
2021/22 Service Planning and Future Service
Planning
March 21, 2022
Agenda Item III.C 2021/22 Program Update and Future Service Planning
ransit
Topics
• FY 2021/22 Pass Sales YTD
• RVSD School Transportation Parent Survey
• FY 2022/23 Service Planning
4 FY 2021/22 PASS SALES YTD
5 FY 2021/22 Pass Sales YTD
6 Full Price
($505)
Reduced
Late Price
($425)
Income
Qualified Price
($100)
White Hill 434 65 25
Hidden Valley 37 - 8
Ross Valley
Charter - 3 5
Total
524
45 8
One-way Passes Sold By School and Type:
Hidden Valley Single ride passes: 45 sold at $4/pass
Total 471 68 38
FY 2021/22 Pass Sales YTD
7 Morning: Afternoon:
Route Passes Sold Route Passes Sold
Hidden Valley
Elementary HV Fairfax via Memorial Park 26 HV Fairfax via Memorial Park 19* White Hill
WH-1 Memorial Park 28 WH-9 San Anselmo Hub 50
WH-2 San Anselmo Hub 35 WH-10 Memorial park 50
WH-3 Red Hill & Sequoia 16 WH-11 Good Earth -Fairfax 33 WH-5 Lower Butterfield 20 WH-12 Butterfield 12
WH-6 Upper Butterfield 33 WH-13 Red Hill Ave & Sequoia 14 WH-7 San Anselmo Hub 44 WH-14 Butterfield 27
WH-8 Butterfield 44 WH-15 Butterfield 50
WH-18 Memorial Park 31
White Hill/RVC
Shared Routes WH-17 San Anselmo Bub 14 WH-16 PM 21
Total AM: 301 Total PM: 276
*HV-PM total excludes Single Ride Passes
I
I
FY 2021/22 Pass Sales YTD
8 Academic Year Enrollment One-Way
Passes Sold
2017/18 808 951
2018/19 744 876
2019/20 765 825
2020/21 675 -
2021/22 661 524
FY 2022/23 White Hill Enrollment Projection: ~ 600
White Hill Enrollment vs. Pass Sales
RVSD SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION PARENT
SURVEY
9 RVSD School Transportation Parent Survey
Audience: All White Hill & Hidden Valley families
Purpose:
– Determine current modes of transportation
– Gauge effectiveness of discount for late-departing afternoon routes
– Collect data for future service planning
Survey Date Range: 2/08/22 – 2/22/22
10 RVSD School Transportation Parent Survey
Respondents: 192 total
– 157 White Hill
– 22 Hidden Valley
– 13 White Hill & Hidden Valley parents
Yellow Bus Pass Holder Respondents: 142
– 74% of total respondents
Non-Yellow Bus Respondents: 50
11 Parent Survey Takeaways
12 Primary Mode of
Transportation Morning Afternoon
Yellow Bus 69% 65%
Car (solo) 18% 15%
Bike/Scooter 5% 6%
Carpool 4% 5%
Public Transit 2% 5%
Walk 2% 4%
Approximately 55% of respondents reported using the same mode of transportation before the pandemic
Approximately 92% reported the discount on late departing routes was not a factor in their decision to purchase a route
Parent Survey - Program Feedback
13 Feedback Type Total
More Afternoon Service 36%
Too Expensive 24%
Commendations 21%
Driver Conduct 7%
Scheduling Complaint 4%
Other types of feedback: improve communicating delays, provide a day pass option at White Hill, improve communicating lottery roll-out, non-program related feedback, etc.
Parent Survey - Program Feedback
14 Yellow bus passholder families use other modes of transportation in the afternoon as opposed to the morning
Afternoon discount does not impact a family’s decision to purchase a pass
Cost of passes is a concern for families
Survey Takeaways:
FY 2022/23 SERVICE PLANNING
15 22/23 Service Planning
Objectives:
– If feasible, implement survey
feedback
– Focus on pain points. E.g., Afternoon
service, empty seats on departing
buses
– Maximize available resources along
the main corridors of service area
and primary destinations
• Butterfield & Sir Francis Drake
• San Anselmo Hub
16 PM
Route
Current
Waitlist Destination
WH-15 60
Red Hill Ave via
Butterfield
WH-9 29 San Anselmo Hub
WH-10 11 Memorial Park
WH-11 0 Good Earth -Fairfax
22/23 Service Planning
– Currently ends at Good Earth
before turning around toward
Ross Valley Charter for second
afternoon route
– Only route that departs school
immediately after the bell that
is not sold out
17 Route WH-11 PM White Hill to Good Earth (Fairfax)
SLEEPY HOLLOW
SAN ANSELMO
• ", ', ', ,l It \ '-- ► ) I I ". f I •
WH-11 PM
22/23 Service Planning
• PRO: Provides service to ~ 17
more students
• PRO: Provides more flexibility for
those alighting on Butterfield and
San Anselmo Hub
• CON: Will result in delayed service
to Ross Valley Charter. Minimal
impact.
18 Option A: Extend WH-11 PM to Red Hill Ave via Butterfield Rd if SLEEPY HOLLOW
White H,11
6 MANOR
8oU"n
SAN ANSELMO
22/23 Service Planning
• PRO: Provides service to ~ 17
more students
• PRO: Provides more flexibility for
those alighting on Sir Francis
Drake Blvd and San Anselmo Hub
• CON: Will result in delayed service
to Ross Valley Charter. Minimal
impact.
19 Option B: Extend WH-11 PM to San Anselmo Hub
,f SLEEPY HOLLOW
SAN ANSELMO
22/23 Service Planning
WH-11 extension feedback request:
– Option A More service on Butterfield?
or
– Option B More service along Sir Francis Drake and San Anselmo Hub?
20 22/23 Service Planning
– Update stop times on schedules to reflect current traffic patterns – Address open seats on sold-out routes
• Make seats available to existing yellow bus passholders on a first come basis – Requires assistance by White Hill staff to facilitate waiting students – Requires raising the late-departing pass price to the full pass price 21 Other considerations for 22/23 service plan:
Measure AA Funds
March 21, 2022
Agenda Item III.D Measure AA Yellow Bus Funds and Term Renewal ransit
Measure AA Funds and Term Renewal
New three-year term 2022 – 2025
– Funds allocated to regular home to
school (yellow bus) programs in the
county
– Measure AA funds provide a subsidy
based on the one-way pass price and
the number of passes distributed
– On average these funds cover 10 – 20% of total program costs 23 Measure AA
24 First 3-year term annual Measure AA funds for RVSD: $132,956 • Additional $30,000 provided annually to off-set program costs New 3-year termannual Measure AA funds estimated for RVSD:
• Option 1 with five schools participating: $190,057
• Option 2 with six schools participating: $184,209
Marin Transit Board considers approval on June 6, 2022
FY 2021/22 Budget Review and FY 2022/23 Budget
Draft
March 21, 2022
Agenda Item III.E FY 2021/22 Budget Review and FY 2022/23 Budget Draft ransit
FY 2021/22 YTD Budget Review
• 5 bus program
• One-way passes priced at $505
• Late departing afternoon routes priced at $425
• Income qualified one-way passes priced at $100 (20% of full price) • 577 one-way pass sold YTD (33% reduction from last operating year) • Contractor expenses increased from $578 to $632 per bus per day Pass Sales
Full Price Full Reduced Late Bus
Charter one way passes 3
White Hill one way passes 434 65
Hidden Valley one way passes 37 0
Total # of one way Passes Sold ‐ Full Price 471 68
Reduced 50% ‐ Income Qualified Total: 539
Charter one way passes
White Hill one way passes
Hidden Valley one way passes
Total # of one way Passes Sold ‐ Reduced 50%
Total of All Passes Sold
Bus Pass Prices Total
Full price one‐way pass price $ 505.00 $ 237,855.00
Reduced Late Bus $ 425.00 $ 28,900.00
Reduced price pass $ 100.00 $ 3,800.00
Revenue
Carry Forward
Bus Pass Revenue
Per month processing fee ‐ $4.00 x passes sold x 10
Refund/Cancellations
COVID Refunds (Final)
Single use pass sales
Measure AA Formula Funds
Additional Measure AA
Remobilization Funds
County of Marin
Town of San Anselmo
Town of Fairfax
Ross Valley School District
Ross Valley Charter
Grant Funding
Total Revenue
Expenses
Daily Rate/Bus
Contractor Expense (RVSD)
Consulting (website)
Lost F&R Pass Sales
Fare Processing Charges
Marketing
AVL‐ Operating Costs
AVL‐Data
Equipment (GPS)
Fuel Contingency
Bus Parking in Marin County
Marin Transit Operations Oversight and Customer Service Bus Driver Incentive
Total Expenses
Surplus/Defecit
20% Local Match Requirement
Ross Valley Yellow Bus Program FY 2021‐22 YTD Budget Review FY 2021/22
Estimated Actuals YTD
5 Bus Program, reduced PM
Budget Assumptions
5 25
8 38
577
$ 270,555.00
$ 7,520.00
$ 132,956.00
$ 30,000.00
$ 90,000.00
$ 30,500.00
$ 30,500.00
$ 76,224.00
$ (7,310.00)
$ 13,002.00
$ ‐
$ ‐
$ 12,725.00
$ 47,000.00
$ 648,119.00
$ 568,800.00
$ 5,000.00
$ ‐
$ 9,670.00
$ 500.00
$ ‐
$ 4,424.00
$ 661,121.00
$ 632
$ 176.00
FY 2022/23 Budget Draft - Option A
Assumptions
• 5 bus program
• One-way pass price increases from $505 to $515
• Late departing afternoon routes priced at $425
• Income qualified one-way passes priced at $100 (20% of full price)
• San Anselmo, Fairfax and County contributions remain the same • Contractor expenses will increase from $578 to $651 / bus/ day • Added fuel contingency
• Includes $12,000 FY 21/22 carryforward
Ross Valley Yellow Bus Program FY 2022‐23 Budget Draft
Option A
Pass Sales
Full Price Full Reduced Late Bus Full Reduced Late Bus
Charter one way passes 33
White Hill one way passes 434 65 434 65
Hidden Valley one way passes 37 0 37 0
Total # of one way Passes Sold ‐ Full Price 471 68 471 68 Reduced 50% ‐ Income Qualified Total: 539 Total: 539
Charter one way passes
White Hill one way passes
Hidden Valley one way passes
Total # of one way Passes Sold ‐ Reduced 50%
Total of All Passes Sold
Bus Pass Prices Total Total
Full price one‐way pass price $ 505.00 $ 237,855.00 $ 515.00 $ 242,565.00 Reduced Late Bus $ 425.00 $ 28,900.00 $ 425.00 $ 28,900.00 Reduced price pass $ 100.00 $ 3,800.00 $ 100.00 $ 3,800.00 Revenue
Carry Forward
Bus Pass Revenue
Per month processing fee ‐ $4.00 x passes sold x 10
Refund/Cancellations
COVID Refunds (Final)
Single use pass sales
Measure AA Formula Funds
Additional Measure AA
Remobilization Funds
County of Marin
Town of San Anselmo
Town of Fairfax
Ross Valley School District
Ross Valley Charter
Grant Funding
Total Revenue
Expenses
Daily Rate/Bus
Contractor Expense (RVSD)
Consulting (website)
Lost F&R Pass Sales
Fare Processing Charges
Marketing
AVL‐ Operating Costs
AVL‐Data
Equipment (GPS)
Fuel Contingency
Bus Parking in Marin County
Marin Transit Operations Oversight and Customer Service Bus Driver Incentive
Total Expenses
Surplus/Defecit
20% Local Match Requirement
FY 2021/22
Estimated Actuals YTD
5 Bus Program, reduced PM
Budget Assumptions
5 25
8 38
577
$ 270,555.00
$ 7,520.00
$ 132,956.00
$ 30,000.00
$ 90,000.00
$ 30,500.00
$ 30,500.00
$ 76,224.00
$ (7,310.00)
$ 275,265.00
$ 7,520.00
$ (7,310.00)
$ 13,002.00
FY 22/23 Scenario
w/ Rate Increase
5 Bus Program, reduced PM
5 25
8 38
577
$ ‐
$ ‐
$ 12,725.00
$ 47,000.00
$ 648,119.00
$ 568,800.00
$ 5,000.00
$ ‐
$ 9,670.00
$ 500.00
$ ‐
$ (42,335.55)
$ ‐
$ ‐
$ 13,105.00
$ 47,000.00
$ 671,988.55
$ 585,900.00
$ 5,000.00
$ ‐
$ 8,483.55
$ 500.00
$ ‐
$ 4,424.00
$ 13,002.00
$ 12,000.00
$ 629,653.00
$ 651
$ 176.00
$ 190,000.00
$ 90,000.00
$ 30,500.00
$ 30,500.00
$ 661,121.00
$ 632
$ 176.00
FY 2022/23 Budget Draft - Option A
Results:
• Deficit ~ $42,500
Options:
• Increase one-way pass price to ~ $585
• Increase San Anselmo, Fairfax, County contributions
• Other?
FY 2022/23 Budget Draft - Option B
Assumptions:
• 5 bus program
• All one-way pass price increases to from $505 to $515 – No discounted price for late departing routes (e.g., $425) • Income qualified one-way passes priced at $100 (20% of full price) • Contractor expenses will increase from $578 to $651 per bus per day • Assumes a 6% reduction is pass sales due to declining enrollment • San Anselmo, Fairfax and County contributions remain the same • Added fuel contingency
• Includes $12,000 FY 21/22 carryforward
Ross Valley Yellow Bus Program FY 2022‐23 Budget Draft
Option B
Pass Sales
Full Price Full Reduced Late Bus
Charter one way passes 3
White Hill one way passes 434 65
Hidden Valley one way passes 37 0
Total # of one way Passes Sold ‐ Full Price 471 68
Reduced 50% ‐ Income Qualified Total: 539 Total: 515
Charter one way passes
White Hill one way passes
Hidden Valley one way passes
Total # of one way Passes Sold ‐ Reduced 50%
Total of All Passes Sold
Bus Pass Prices Total Total
Full price one‐way pass price $ 505.00 $ 237,855.00 $ 515.00 $ 265,225.00 Reduced Late Bus $ 425.00 $ 28,900.00
Reduced price pass $ 100.00 $ 3,800.00 $ 100.00 $ 2,500.00 Revenue
Carry Forward
Bus Pass Revenue
Per month processing fee ‐ $4.00 x passes sold x 10
Refund/Cancellations
COVID Refunds (Final)
Single use pass sales
Measure AA Formula Funds
Additional Measure AA
Remobilization Funds
County of Marin
Town of San Anselmo
Town of Fairfax
Ross Valley School District
Ross Valley Charter
Grant Funding
Total Revenue
Expenses
Daily Rate/Bus
Contractor Expense (RVSD)
Consulting (website)
Lost F&R Pass Sales
Fare Processing Charges
Marketing
AVL‐ Operating Costs
AVL‐Data
Equipment (GPS)
Fuel Contingency
Bus Parking in Marin County
Marin Transit Operations Oversight and Customer Service Bus Driver Incentive
Total Expenses
Surplus/Defecit
20% Local Match Requirement
FY 2021/22
Estimated Actuals YTD
5 Bus Program, reduced PM
Budget Assumptions
5 25
8 38
577
$ 270,555.00
$ 7,520.00
$ 132,956.00
$ 30,000.00
$ 90,000.00
$ 30,500.00
$ 30,500.00
$ 76,224.00
$ (7,310.00)
$ 13,002.00
$ ‐
$ ‐
$ 12,725.00
$ 47,000.00
$ 648,119.00
$ 568,800.00
$ 5,000.00
$ ‐
$ 9,670.00
$ 500.00
$ ‐
FY 22/23 Scenario
w/ rate increase, no reduced
pass, estimed 6% reduction in
pass sales
5 Bus Program
0 20
5 25
540
$ 669,261.52
$ (47,148.52)
$ ‐
$ 8,257.35
$ 500.00
$ ‐
$ ‐
$ ‐
$ 10,604.17
$ 47,000.00
$ 622,113.00
$ 651
$ 585,900.00
$ 5,000.00
$ 90,000.00
$ 30,500.00
$ 30,500.00
$ 267,725.00
$ 7,520.00
$ (7,310.00)
$ 176.00
$ 190,000.00
$ 4,424.00 $ 12,000.00
$ 13,002.00
0 485
Full
30 515
$ 661,121.00
$ 632
$ 176.00
FY 2022/23 Budget Draft - Option B
Results:
• Deficit ~ $47,500
Options:
• Increase one-way pass price to ~ $615
• Increase San Anselmo, Fairfax, County contributions
• Other?
FY 2022/23 Budget Preparation
JEPA request:
– Confirm amountof local contributions from the Town of Fairfax, Town of San Anselmo and County of Marin
Next Steps:
– Set pass price and adopt budget in April
– Passes go on sale end of May
Questions?
Christopher Whitlock
Operations Analyst
[email protected]