City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 23, 2020
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Resolution to Increase the Fares for the Department of Transportation (DOT) Paratransit Program.[ROLL-CALL-VOTE]
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ISSUE: A resolution to increase the fares for the DOT Paratransit Program.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment) as part of the FY 2021 Approved Budget. The new fee(s) will be effective July 1, 2020.
BACKGROUND: This memorandum provides information regarding a proposed fee increase for the City's paratransit program for FY 2021. The fee increase is projected to provide an annual savings of $68,000 for the City in FY 2021 and future years.
DISCUSSION: Staff proposes a $1 increase to the fares for the paratransit program. This fare is paid by paratransit users for each trip and would reduce the overall cost of each trip the City pays by an additional $1. Approval of this increase will result in the following fares:
* $4 per trip for inside the City and up to 5 miles outside the City, and
* $6 per trip for all 5 mile and over outside the City trips.
The paratransit fares were last increased in FY 2011 when they were increased to $3 for trips within the City (an increase of $0.50) and $5 for trips outside the City (an increase of $2.50). This represented a fare that was two times the fixed route fare of DASH, which at that time was $1.50. While the Americans with Disabilities Act permits paratransit fares up to twice the fixed route's fare, the City has consistently tried to maintain low fares. Although the DASH fare has increased since 2010 (the current fare is $2), the paratransit fares have not increased since then. However, this program has consistently grown in ridership over the years, particularly as the aging popul...
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