ITEM 4. 5
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT
DECEMBER 8, 2025 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
ITEM: EXTENSION OF FIXED ROUTE FARE - FREE PROGRAM
AND ALIGNMENT OF FIXED ROUTE SCHEDULE WITH
LATHROP HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution to Approve Lathrop Transit Fixed Route Fare -Free Program through June 30, 2026,
and Modification of the Fixed Route (" School
Tripper") Schedule to Mirror the Lathrop High School
Schedule
SUMMARY:
The City of Lathrop' s
microtransit system Lathrop Transit was launched in Quarter 2, 2025. Lathrop Transit continues to develop as a critical community mobility resource through combination of fixed -route and dial - a - ride portions of the service. The fixed - route " School Tripper" service was designed to complement school commute periods and is fully accessible to the general public and has become an important feature of the overall system. The City Council' sdecision to introduce a fare -free pilot program through December 31, 2025 has played a pivotal role in accelerating ridership growth, reducing barriers to access, and improving overall service efficiency.
Since implementing fare -free service on the " school tripper" route, Lathrop Transit has experienced steady month -over -month increases in ridership, indicating rising community awareness and acceptance. The fare -free fixed route pilot program is successfully stimulating early -stage ridership that new transit systems often struggle to cultivate. New " Bus Stop" signs have been placed along the " school tripper" route to mark each official stop. The continued upward trend suggests strong community support and growing reliance on transit as a daily mobility option for students, families, and residents.
Given this momentum, staff recommends extending the fare -free pilot program through June 30, 2026, providing a full academic year of fare -free service that aligns with school - year transit demands. In addition, because ridership peaks for the " school tripper correspond directly with the Lathrop High School schedule, staff recommends modifying the fixed - route service to mirror the school' s schedule. This will improve service reliability for the largest ridership segment and enhance system efficiency.
Together, these actions will further strengthen ridership growth, enhance accessibility, and provide a more accurate, uninterrupted dataset for evaluating longterm transit needs, system performance, and future funding opportunities.
BACKGROUND:
Lathrop Transit was developed to increase transportation equity, convenience, and accessibility for residents throughout the City, including youth/ students, seniors, and CITY MANAGER' S REPORT PAGE 2
DECEMBER 8, 2025 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
EXTENSION OF FIXED ROUTE FARE - FREE PROGRAM AND ALIGNMENT OF
FIXED ROUTE SCHEDULE WITH LATHROP HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE
individuals without access to transportation. The system includes a flexible dial - a - ride microtransit component supported by a fixed -route " School Tripper" operating during morning and afternoon peak school commute times. While the route was designed to support student mobility, the service is not a school bus and remains open to all members of the public, consistent with state and federal funding requirements that prohibit restricting transit exclusively to school purposes.
In August 2025, the City Council approved a fare -free pilot program through December 31, 2025 to increase accessibility, reduce economic barriers, and accelerate early adoption of the system. Since implementing the fare -free pilot, the system has shown consistent monthly ridership increases. New " Bus Stop" signs have been placed along the " school tripper" route to mark each official stop. With these new signs in place catching the School Tripper is clearer and easier than ever.
Staff analysis further indicates that fixed - route demand is closely tied to the Lathrop High School schedule. Aligning the fixed -route service with morning start times and afternoon dismissal times will improve operational efficiency, support students and families who rely on consistent transportation, and enhance the overall usefulness of the system during its busiest periods.
The recommended extension through June 30, 2026 will allow the City to collect data for a complete academic year under consistent operating conditions, providing a clearer understanding of travel patterns, service demand, and system performance.
This information will be critical for informing future route planning, funding strategies, long- term system design, and assessments of whether fare -free service should continue beyond June 2026.
Proposed Fixed Route Fare Free Pilot Program for Lathrop Transit through 6/ 30/ 26:
Fixed Route Fares Dial -A -Ride & ADA Paratransit
One Wa y
10 -Ride
Pass
31 -Day
Pass '
One Wa y
10 -Ride
Pass
31 -Day
Pass
General ( 18-
61)
Free Free Free 2 18 45
Seniors, ADA,
Youth( 2-17)
Free Free Free 1 9 30
Children
Under 2 ( with
accompanying
adult)
Free ' Free Free Free Free Free
CITY MANAGER' SREPORT PAGE 3
DECEMBER 8, 2025 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
EXTENSION OF FIXED ROUTE FARE -FREE PROGRAM AND ALIGNMENT OF
FIXED ROUTE SCHEDULE WITH LATHROP HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE
The pilot program will also allow staff to collect data on ridership and utilization that may otherwise take years to materialize. By making the microtransit system as accessible as possible staff will be able to see the true demand that exists within Lathrop. The current fares collected on fixed route microtransit are de minimis to the overall funding of the system. The fare free pilot program meets the funding criteria for all revenue sources that the City currently uses to fund Lathrop Transit. The assumption of low fare revenue has been built into the microtransit systems operational budget. Impacts of this pilot program will be re- evaluated in Q2 2026 to determine if it is operationally and financially feasible to extend the program beyond June 30, 2026.
The hours of operation for microtransit are Monday through Friday 7am until 5pm, except on holidays. More information on the specific route and pickup times are available on the Lathrop Transit website at: www. lathroptransit. com A mobile application is in the development stages and should be available soon. For more information on the new micro -transit service, please call Lathrop Transit at ( 866) 495 -LIFT ( 5438) to make a reservation.
REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION:
The extension of the " school tripper" free fare structure will remove a financial barrier for transit riders and families to access public transportation. The tasks associated with the oversight, management, and security of transit fares are onerous considering the de minimis funds collected. Aligning the fixed -route schedule with Lathrop High School ensures the route serves the highest concentration of daily users at the times they need it most. Free fares and schedule synchronization are proven strategies for boosting ridership and improving system efficiency. Staff recommends the City Council approve the Fixed Route Fare Free Pilot Program for Lathrop Transit through June 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The current fares collected on fixed route microtransit are de minimis to the overall funding of the system. The extension of the fare free program meets the funding criteria for all revenue sources that the City currently uses to fund Lathrop Transit.
The assumption of low fare revenue has been built into the transit operational budget.
Impacts of this fare free program will be re- evaluated in Q2 2026 to determine if it is operationally and financially feasible to extend the program beyond June 30, 2026.
CITY MANAGER' S REPORT PAGE 4
DECEMBER 8, 2025 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
EXTENSION OF FIXED ROUTE FARE - FREE PROGRAM AND ALIGNMENT OF
FIXED ROUTE SCHEDULE WITH LATHROP HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution to Approve Lathrop Transit Fixed Route Fare -Free Program through June 30, 2026, and Modification of the Fixed Route (" School Tripper") Schedule to Mirror the Lathrop High School Schedule Thomas Hedegard
Deputy City Manager
CITY MANAGER' SREPORT PAGE 5
DECEMBER 8, 2025 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
EXTENSION OF FIXED ROUTE FARE -FREE PROGRAM AND ALIGNMENT OF
FIXED ROUTE SCHEDULE WITH LATHROP HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE
APPROVALS:
1 i 1 to 12025
Date
ZD- Ix) 2, 5
Salvador Navarrete Date
City Attorney
11. 24- LS
Stephen J. Salvatore Date
City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 25-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LATHROP TO
AUTHORIZE THE LATHROP TRANSIT FIXED ROUTE FARE -FREE PROGRAM THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026, AND MODIFICATION OF THE FIXED ROUTE SCHOOL TRIPPER") SCHEDULE TO MIRROR THE LATHROP HIGH SCHOOL
SCHEDULE
WHEREAS, the City of Lathrop recently launched a new microtransit system that offers a flexible, on -demand transportation service aimed at improving mobility throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, there is also a fixed route component to the service called the School Tripper" that runs in the morning and afternoon to ensure that students, parents, and school employees are able to get to school. This is not a school bus and is available to the public as well as the funding for this program cannot be restricted to school use only; and
WHEREAS, fare free fixed routes make the microtransit system accessible to all potential transit riders in the community. This pilot program will allow the City to provide transit equitably, eliminating the fixed route fare can make a tangible difference for many riders. Eliminating fixed route fares injects money back into the local economy. Riders and families spending $ 30- 60 per month on fares today can instead invest those dollars back into their family, their homes, food, health care, and retail in Lathrop; and
WHEREAS, the pilot program will also allow staff to collect data on ridership and utilization that may otherwise take years to materialize. By making the microtransit system as accessible as possible staff will be able to see the true demand that exists within Lathrop; and
WHEREAS, the proposed fare changes are listed in the tables below.
Proposed Fixed Route Fare Free Pilot Program for Lathroq Transit through 6/ 30/ 26:
Fixed Route Fares. Dial -A -Ride & ADA Paratransit
One Way 10- Ridedes
31 -Day 10- RidePass31s -Day
General ( 18-
61)
Free Free Free 2 18 45
Seniors, ADA,
Youth( 2-17)
Free Free Free 1 9 30
Children
Under 2 ( with
accompanying
adult)
Free Free Free Free Free Free
and
WHEREAS, the current fares collected on fixed route microtransit are de minimis to the overall funding of the system. The fare free pilot program meets the funding criteria for all revenue sources that the City currently uses to fund Lathrop Transit. The assumption of low to no fare revenue has been built into the microtransit systems operational budget. Impacts of this pilot program will be re- evaluated in Q2 2026 to determine if it is operationally and financially feasible to extend the program beyond June 30, 2026; and
WHEREAS, aligning the fixed - route schedule with Lathrop High School ensures the route serves the highest concentration of daily users at the times they need it most. Free fares and schedule synchronization are proven strategies for boosting ridership and improving system efficiency.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Lathrop authorizes the Lathrop Transit Fixed Route Fare - Free Program through June 30, 2026, and Modification of the Fixed Route (" School Tripper") Schedule to Mirror the Lathrop High School Schedule for Days of Operation.
The foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this 8th day of December 2025, by the following vote of the City Council, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Paul Akinjo, Mayor
ATTEST:
Teresa Vargas, City Clerk Salvador Navarrete, City Attorney APPROVED AS TO FORM: