TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Transfers Overview
BRIEFING ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving a report on the history of transfers at AC Transit and considerations for possible changes to the current day-pass based system. [Requested by Director Walsh - 10/13/21 and Director Beckles - 2/9/22]
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Financial Stability and Resiliency
Initiative - Financial Efficiency and Revenue Maximization
The structure and implementation of the District's fare policies have direct effects on ridership, ease of system use, and revenues.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact from this informational report.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The Board of Directors has had many discussions about transfer policy over the years. Paid transfers were a fixture of District fare operations and are still implemented by some agencies, although a survey of fare structures shows that free transfers are becoming more common. The District had paid transfers until the Day Pass was introduced in July 2014.
Until 2014, paper ticket transfers were sold at customer service and by operators on the bus, costing 25 cents and valid for one use within two hours after the first ride. The Board had a transfer policy (#417) that was repealed in 2009 and the details incorporated into a re-write of the main fare policy. A survey of staff reports after 2005 shows the Board considered free transfers in 2005 along with a fare increase that was implemented. With the advent of the Clipper system in 2011, the Board again considered free transfers on Clipper only, but decided against it due to the possible impacts on protected populations under Title VI.
In 2013, staff did series of reports that led up to the Board approval in December 2013 of an amended fare policy that eliminated paid transfers and implemented the Day Pass starting July 1, 2014. The Day Pass allowed for unlimited travel in a day...
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